I put in some Eibach Pro Kits on my 05 over the weekend and went to Firestone to get an alignment. They gave me a print out with some "befores" and "afters". I don't exactly know what it all means. I do know that green is good and red is bad... in the "after" section, there are still some red. Can someone explain this to me?

Here is a color scan on the sheet. Also, there are two extra sheets attached; one says "The manufacturer does not specify a rear CAMBER adjustment" and the other says "The manufacturer does not specify front CAMBER and CASTER adjustments".




Sorry the color scan was crappy so I took some pictures with my phone.

 

"The manufacturer does not specify a rear CAMBER adjustment" and the other says "The manufacturer does not specify front CAMBER and CASTER adjustments".

All that means is from the factory it was not adjustable. But they do make aftermarket camber adjustment kits that can fix your camber.

Now to me just looking at your camber readings either the front left side is off or the other 3 sides are off due to some reason that I can't determine from here. I say this because I would imagine if everything was normal all 3 camber readings would be very close to the same. Maybe something got bent in the front left and the other 3 are right or the front left is right and the other 3 are messed up.

D

 

There is no Camber Adjustment possible when stock. That's what the aftermarket Camber Kits are for. It's also why there is not "specified adjustment".


Toe is GREAT!

See the "Do I need a Camber Kit" sticky thread at the top of this page.

 

Not so sure about that. I think it's just the result of the drop. Notice that the SPECS are different Front to Back.

Front Camber is 0.0 to -1.0, so the right is out by 0.2.

BUT, the Rear Spec is -0.5 to -1.5. The Right is out by 0.8 and the Left by 0.2.


So ONLY the Left Rear is a bit high compared to the rest.

 

I meant if everything was normal all 4 camber readings would be very close to the same. Honestly though my guess from the limited amount of information I have would guess the front left side has an issue. The other 3 camber specs while out of spec are nearly the same. Ever curb something on that front left side?

D

 

While it is within specs don't you find it odd that the camber didn't change on that front left side after the drop while all the other corners did change?

D

 

OK so after reading that article, I guess the conclusion is that I won't need a camber kit BUT what don5504 still confuses me.

All the camber angles should be close to each other correct? Maybe I'll call them and ask if they noticed any damage underneath my TL.

Thanks guys.

 

Man you guys respond quick.

I haven't curbed the front left side.. but I've only owned the car for 2+ months.

 

No. If I were you I would still get the camber kits. Camber can cause a tread wear issue. Not as dramatic as a bad toe angle but it certainly still cause premature wear. Now that bear cat has posted up what those measurements are suppose to be they are all fairly close to being with in specs while the front left is within specs. Anyways I find that odd because lowering a car usually always includes more negative camber.

D

 

Yeah, a little, but I don't think it indicates anything bent or broken; just a vagary of the reinstallation of the shock/spring.

Mine was similar when I put the H&R sports in - that is one corner was farther off than the rest. Actually two corners stayed in spec, 1 barely out (by 0.1*, IIRC) and the other by a bit more (~0.5* ??). So far tire wear is very even across and around. No camber kit.

What I was trying to point out though, is that the fronts and rears WON'T be similar. If they were all dead-nuts in then center of spec the Fronts would be -0.5* and the Rears would be -1.0* BEFORE the drop.

So if the drop affected each corner exactly the same, the rears are going to have about 0.5* MORE negative camber than the front. PLUS lowering 1" should add, say, another -0.5* (give or take) of Camber.



Edit - Wait!! Don you're right on the Front Left - it didn't change AT ALL. Almost like they forgot to remeasure it or put in the wrong (original) measurement. *That* is a bit odd. Not necessarily "something's broklen" odd, but certainly unexpected.

 

what's the difference between a alignment & balance?

 

Balance in this discussion is when the tire is rotating the pressure being applied outwards from the wheel and tire combo is essentially equal in all directions making things run smooth. Alignment is making sure that said wheel and tire combo are all angled the right direction. Both are needed to ensure the best ride. They sort of go together like PB&J.

D

 

oh my dumb ass just spend money on a balance thinking it was a alignment.. now i got to go back to get that right one. how much is a aligment?

 

Should I call them up and see why they didn't touch the front left?

ac08odl, balancing usually refers to mounting a tire on a wheel. It needs to be balanced so that when in rotation, it doesn't wobble. Thats why you see little weights on some wheels.

An alignment is what we're talking about here.... essentially making sure your tires are "straight" with respect to the vehicle, the road and the other tires. This is to create even wear on your tires, reduce wobble in the steering wheel when driving/braking and to reduce pulling.

 

~$70 at a normal shop...

 

Depends on what adjustments are made. Typically around $60-$100 depending on where you go. But I would imagine the more possible adjustments the more expensive it becomes. Like majority of cars only come with toe adjustments and that usually runs around $60-$80. But when you start adding stuff that allows for caster and camber adjustments that price could certainly go up.

D

 

i hit a hole in nyc and my rim bent a lil and my steering wheel is not stright if i get one of these would it get stright?

 

I would say, it depends on the damage... but I'll let the professionals chime in.

But at the same time,

 

Sounds like a new wheels is in order. Picture it this way. If your rim is bent its shaped like an egg now instead of a circle. But I would check to see if you need to replace that wheel before doing an alignment or balance. Have the wheels runout checked 1st and go from there.

D

 

BTW how do you like the prokit? Does it come with springs and struts? What the ride like and what not? Later this year I plan on dropping my car but not for a couple months.

D

 

the rim isnt bad just a lil ding.

 

Eibach Pro-Kit is Springs only. Drop is ~1" all around.

Many shops offer "multiple alignment" packages. 1-year, 3-year, lifetime, etc. I got a 3-year package for $139. That's an alignment anytime I want for 3-years for $139. I figure every other oil change if things look/feel OK.

It's good if you're dropped or if you're modding; with any drop you want to keep your toe as close to spec as possible, particularly if you don't have a camber kit. Plus everytime you change the susp (lower, change shocks, add coil-overs, etc) you need to get a new alginment.

 

No, I am just a dumb ass. Ignore the "edit" in my previous post.


Somehow I got it in my head that "before" was before the drop. It's not. NONE of the camber angles changed, because there is no camber adjustment.

Sorry.

 

The Pro Kit is just the springs. The have a sway bar and struts that "complete" the package. The drop is pretty minimal (1") but definitely noticeable (both aesthetic-wise and handling-wise). Heres a shot of the fender/quarter-to-tire gap one day after the install. It should be a little lower after today/a few more days.
Front

Rear


When cornering, my tires barely squeal... but that might be partly due to the RSB too. The ride isn't very harsh either.... still comfortable. I def noticed a difference when going from stock 17"s to 18"s but the 1" drop doesn't make a huge difference in comfort.

 

Haha no worries. Thanks for your input!

 

I think most everyone who commented here thought your measurements were before the drop vs after the drop ...instead of taking both measurements after the drop (before any adjustments/and after adjustments)