Rear LCA Install Help/Something feels off

[srizzors25]

Hey all,

Just replaced the suspension and LCA's on my car yesterday (tein street basis and PBM LCA's). Install seemed to go well until I tried to drive the car today. Kind of hard to describe but it feels like the rear end is "loose" its a very odd/uncomfortable feeling.

I tightened everything down to the specified torques so its not like I forgot to tighten something. I was just driving the car around at fairly low speeds, kind of lightly swerving back and forth. Feels like the rear end wants to walk around way to easy. Traction control light also came on very easy during this "test" Now I tightened the adjustment arm on the LCA pretty tight but it looks like the end of the arm does have a ball joint.. does this just allow more flex than I'm use to? which doesn't quite make sense or is something just way off with the alignment and that'll take care of everything?

Thanks

[wparsons]

99.9% chance that your alignment is just way off. If you aren't hearing any clunking, it's not a loose part.

Did you set the length of the LCA based on the old arms you took out, or just took them out of the box and installed them?

[srizzors25]

I didn't make them the exact same length as the stock LCA's, but I did adjust both of the pbms to the same exact length before they were installed. I kind of figured that it's just a terrible feeling ha. I booked an appointment for tomorrow and didn't drive the car today just wanted to check that I'm not doing something wrong.

No clunking to report

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by srizzors25

I didn't make them the exact same length as the stock LCA's

:o

Eyeballing your alignment? Nothing could possibly go wrong.


the rear link is what governs your toe. Shortening it makes it toe out, lengthening it makes it toe in.


If you deviated from the OEM length, then your alignment is surely off, in fact I suspect horrendously off.

Please get it aligned before hitting the road and post us before and after stats of the alignment.

[srizzors25]

Well it was just so they were both even. I knew going into this that I'd need an alignment, no question there. I don't know how to align a car at all was just hoping I could comfortably drive to work for a day or 2

[cnk]

You need an alignment as everyone has stated. If the rear feels all out of whack like that, it's most likely that you have toe out making the rear twitchy. I had the same after installing my coilovers and LCA's. Alignment will lock everything down.

[srizzors25]

Sweet deal thanks guys. I have an appointment booked for tomorrow morning hopefully that does the trick

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by srizzors25

I don't know how to align a car at all was just hoping I could comfortably drive to work for a day or 2

yeah um... no


alignment is a very small yet very important part of having a car that inspires confidence driving it. Having the toe that is not properly set means the wheels, and in your case, the drive wheels, point in different or competing directions, so your car is always in a state of disbalance


combine this with the fact that roads are not actually smooth, and you have wheels that are moving up and down while pulling you in different directions


this is very dangerous, and why "0" toe is the industry standard. (with a very very very tiny "toe in" recommended for the rear wheels, which means that both wheels are pushing the car into it's center, thereby helping with stability. but again, very very minimal toe, such as 1/16 or even 1/32.

[srizzors25]

Yea that would definitely explain things if I had to guess I bet that rear toe is just completely off. It'll make the 2 mile adventure to the alignment shop fine I guess ha I'll just be careful on the way there.

[Kuri]

I did the same exact thing. My alignment and toe were WAY off. Alignment is needed ASAP.

I couldn't drive over 20mph without squealing my tires, lost traction at turns, and felt like i was pulling in several directions over 20mph, went over puddle and nearly lost my tail.


15mph slow ass trip home and in the morning to get an alignment


V500 Coils
Camber Bolts
LCA

[srizzors25]

Yea that sounds pretty much identical to what I was feeling there. Alright well just have to endure one more day without the car. Shouldn't be terrible it'll be done tomorrow! I guess that gives me the afternoon to dial in the ride height perfectly

[Hellafunctional]

If the problem persists after the alignment, take a pic and post it.

[Necric]

Like everyone says, alignment. Firestone sells lifetime alignments for vehicles too.
Set your toe to 0 and call it a day.

[srizzors25]

It's at the shop now, I'll be picking it up after work I'll share my findings. I'm assuming they won't send it my way unless its good ha. 0 toe is definitely something I want