suspension advice

[gramicci101]

Did you get an alignment after install as well?

[NoobTron]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Did you get an alignment after install as well?

I did not.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by NoobTron

I did not.

You may want to. If you think springs settling maybe 1/4 inch will change the alignment, just imagine how much completely removing and replacing the suspension will. If it's enough out of whack, your car could be very unsettled and difficult to drive.

Check out firestone's lifetime alignment plan. Get it done now after R&R, then get it done again in a few weeks after you've driven it around a bit. Did you install any alignment bits like camber bolts, rear LCA, or front strut top hats? Those make it easier to get the numbers you want.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by NoobTron

Oh, hot damn....me likes.

It is my understanding that I should wait a week or so and go back for an alignment. The tragedy of my situation is I am now on the road for a week, for work - 86 at home.

Will a week of the car just sitting be enough for the springs to "settle?"

Thanks..


E-

The springs don't settle too much...a few drives getting the springs working is all you need. Get an alignment when you can.

- Andy

[Model Citizen]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

You may want to. If you think springs settling maybe 1/4 inch will change the alignment, just imagine how much completely removing and replacing the suspension will. If it's enough out of whack, your car could be very unsettled and difficult to drive.

Check out firestone's lifetime alignment plan. Get it done now after R&R, then get it done again in a few weeks after you've driven it around a bit. Did you install any alignment bits like camber bolts, rear LCA, or front strut top hats? Those make it easier to get the numbers you want.

Firestone lifetime alignment is hit or miss. I have had it on a couple vehicles with mostly good experience.

Best advice would be never go in for it when they are busy especially with a modified car. You've allready bought the contract, you are bringing no new money in with your visit, you are tying up a tech and bay that income generating customers could be using.

I've been turned away with bullshit excuses in that situation.

I've also had the tech and manager want to talk to me about the car and go over all the exact specs when going in at a completely dead time.

Its definately a ymmv type plan.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by Model Citizen

Firestone lifetime alignment is hit or miss. I have had it on a couple vehicles with mostly good experience.

Best advice would be never go in for it when they are busy especially with a modified car. You've allready bought the contract, you are bringing no new money in with your visit, you are tying up a tech and bay that income generating customers could be using.

I've been turned away with bullshit excuses in that situation.

I've also had the tech and manager want to talk to me about the car and go over all the exact specs when going in at a completely dead time.

Its definately a ymmv type plan.

I live in NYC area and have not found one that will sell the lifetime alignment plan to a car with non OEM suspension parts. i.e. pretty much any car they can't "toe and go"

[Model Citizen]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

I live in NYC area and have not found one that will sell the lifetime alignment plan to a car with non OEM suspension parts. i.e. pretty much any car they can't "toe and go"

If i remember right my gti was on coilovers when i bought the plan.

My forester is basically an sti minus the transmission. In terms of suspension its on feal sti struts, rce black springs, f&r sways, sti lateral links, most of the bushings replaced, roll center kit, subframe spacers removed, sti rack and linkage.

One firestone the manager basically saw what it was on his rack at a busy time of day had it taken off and sent me home.

The next morning i brought it by a different one at open when it was 100% dead. They absolutely loved the car, went over all the specs even rear camber. Wanted to talk about the car itself, etc.

Night and day experience. From a business perspective it makes sense, you've already bought the contract, they dont like it when you slow down the intake of new customer $.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Model Citizen

From a business perspective it makes sense, you've already bought the contract, they dont like it when you slow down the intake of new customer $.

I see it a bit differently, and would say that when they sell those contracts they imagine that they'll be aligning OEM parts to OEM specs. I'm surprised they haven't caught on to this yet and inserted a clause in the contract stating that they can choose to turn you away if that isn't what you're presenting to them.

I'd love to have an outfit willing to do an essentially free set of before & after alignments on a street car of mine that I took to the track 10-15 times a year. That would be a killer deal, and if I ever break down and get a twin, I'll definitely be looking into that possibility with this contract.

[Model Citizen]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I see it a bit differently, and would say that when they sell those contracts they imagine that they'll be aligning OEM parts to OEM specs. I'm surprised they haven't caught on to this yet and inserted a clause in the contract stating that they can choose to turn you away if that isn't what you're presenting to them.

I'd love to have an outfit willing to do an essentially free set of before & after alignments on a street car of mine that I took to the track 10-15 times a year. That would be a killer deal, and if I ever break down and get a twin, I'll definitely be looking into that possibility with this contract.

I always thought the same too, and hesitated to buy my first one till after researching thoroughly (this was 5+ years ago). At the time people with a handful of modified platforms seemed to be fans, including the 4x4 crowd. But was always stated as a ymmv which it totally is.

I think the fine print may state oem equipment only.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I see it a bit differently, and would say that when they sell those contracts they imagine that they'll be aligning OEM parts to OEM specs. I'm surprised they haven't caught on to this yet and inserted a clause in the contract stating that they can choose to turn you away if that isn't what you're presenting to them.

I'd love to have an outfit willing to do an essentially free set of before & after alignments on a street car of mine that I took to the track 10-15 times a year. That would be a killer deal, and if I ever break down and get a twin, I'll definitely be looking into that possibility with this contract.

Come to Las Vegas. The local firestone is the one that does the alignments for the exotic racing thing at LVMS, and the guy that does them is an enthusiast. He'll align to a stated spec and told me to come in before an event for a track-specific alignment, then come in afterwards to go back to street spec.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Come to Las Vegas. The local firestone is the one that does the alignments for the exotic racing thing at LVMS, and the guy that does them is an enthusiast. He'll align to a stated spec and told me to come in before an event for a track-specific alignment, then come in afterwards to go back to street spec.

I now recall your mentioning this in a recent post. Good deal!

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I now recall your mentioning this in a recent post. Good deal!

There aren't too many track days at LVMS, unfortunately. Which sucks because it's about 20 minutes away. PCA has them at Spring Mountain motor resort, but that's two or three hours away and $400 for a weekend. I'd rather drive a little further and get in on @CSG Mike's lapping day at willow springs for $100.