*FYI i have SEARCHed, all i have found are opinions, not definate facts.*

hey, i am facing a problem. one of my trusted buddies is saying all i need is a good alignment for my car to make sure the tread will not be messed up. but first, let me tell you a bit about my setup. i have 15" rims, 205/50/15 falken azenis tires, kyb shocks/struts and a H&R race drop/(2.25Front, 2.0Rear drop). now, a few people are telling me i will need a camber kit eventually, or now. Others are saying that all i need is a good alignment and i should be ok. now, i belive both of these theories, but maybe you guys can help me out. no offense to anyone that would take offense from this. also, this is for normal driving, not autocross or anything like that.
TIA

Rob

 

also, where can i find the steps to do the rear camber washer trick?

 

Alignment isnt going to help negative camber since its not adjustable w/o camber kits.

Whether you 'need' it or not is up to you. Just expect the tires to wear much faster than normal...I think increased tire wear is the only fact you are going to find.

The washer trick is pretty simple...just buy longer bolts for the upper control arms (where they attach to the body). Then put washers in between the control arms and the body and tighten down like normal...it just pushes the whole assembly out.

I have read that 3/8" = approx .5 degree positive camber change, but I think that has been debated by some people. I would say (based on my experiences with my 3 lowered cars) that if you are lowered 2" in the rear expect to use about 4 washers (per bolt!) to get back within spec (everyone feel free to argue with that tho).

 

cool, anyone else wanna add to this?

 

just make sure your toe is properly adjusted

ive gotten good mileage on my tires with almost -2.0 camber.

 

My teg has tocico blues and H&R springs, in the rear I have 2 washers each, they were in the car when I got it but tire wear is perfect.

Lowering your cars ride height definetly effects wheel alignment. Both people you talked to are right, a proper wheel alignment is all you need, however proper means ride height too, since its changed you gonna need a camber kit if you want a proper alignment.

 

no camber the lower the better

 

I sat around 1.75 to 2.25 and get some inside wear until a camber kit was added. I would go for it unless you can tolerate the extra wear.