when lowering does it effect alignment
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
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From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
when lowering does it effect alignment
couldnt find the answer in the search (probably didnt look hard enuf) but does it effect camber or toe when you lower the front? which would mean it would need an alignment. thxs for the input. paul
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Yeah getting an alignment is recommended however doesn't need to be done right away you just don't wanna put say 10,000 miles on it without doing it otherwise you may see some tire wear issues. I would recommend lowering the rear as well as these things comes stock with a already lower front end rake. The car would start to look funny with the front way lower than the rear. For the perfect ride height (in my opinion), I turned the front bolts all the way, and the rears all the way and removed one layer of bushing (only on rears). Plenty of ground clearance I never scrape on anything, no negative effects on ride or handling and looks VERY nice 
Here is a picture of a 05 Z51 suspension with the above lowering
Here is a picture of a 05 Z51 suspension with the above lowering
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 156
From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
Yeah getting an alignment is recommended however doesn't need to be done right away you just don't wanna put say 10,000 miles on it without doing it otherwise you may see some tire wear issues. I would recommend lowering the rear as well as these things comes stock with a already lower front end rake. The car would start to look funny with the front way lower than the rear. For the perfect ride height (in my opinion), I turned the front bolts all the way, and the rears all the way and removed one layer of bushing (only on rears). Plenty of ground clearance I never scrape on anything, no negative effects on ride or handling and looks VERY nice
Here is a picture of a 05 Z51 suspension with the above lowering
Here is a picture of a 05 Z51 suspension with the above lowering
thxs for the input, paul
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I've lowered four Corvettes and never had any of them aligned, and never had any problems. I have several friends who lowered and did not have them aligned either. Is it a good idea? Probably. But I honesly don't think it changes the alignment.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,559
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From: Converse TX
Slammed my C5 and have not had it aligned in over 13k since the lowering and no issues at all
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
Raising will greatly effect the toe in the front. If you study the geometry, raising will throw the alignment out more than lowering, on a per degree of change basis. My 3/4" raise threw my alignment out considerably.
The front toe is effected during a raise since the tie rod ends effectively become "shorter" as the frame gets raised up (and away) with respect to the spindles. The wheels get pulled / toed in... and extra wear / feathering of the outside edge of the front tires will occur. When lowering, the opposite might occur but to a lesser extent.
Camber of course is effected in all situations.
When in doubt, align the car. It's well worth it. For all you know your alignment isn't even perfect right now. A good proper alignment can make a world of difference in feel and handling, especially with these cars. Your car might feel better than ever before.
The front toe is effected during a raise since the tie rod ends effectively become "shorter" as the frame gets raised up (and away) with respect to the spindles. The wheels get pulled / toed in... and extra wear / feathering of the outside edge of the front tires will occur. When lowering, the opposite might occur but to a lesser extent.
Camber of course is effected in all situations.
When in doubt, align the car. It's well worth it. For all you know your alignment isn't even perfect right now. A good proper alignment can make a world of difference in feel and handling, especially with these cars. Your car might feel better than ever before.
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Jim is correct. Lowering does not change the alignment, which is a mechanical set. It does change the suspension dynamics though and the factory specs may not be ideal. A really good professional can take this into consideration for better handling and/or tire wear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
Typically when you lower a car it would increase the negative camber...
this is actually often a good thing! First, it is beneficial to cornering.... Second, if your tires wear on the outside first (probably) it might actually remedy the situation and you'll actually see more even wear...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
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Again, maybe not critical for a slight lowering, but, Please don't tell people that nothing changes.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,377
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Sorry man, it does change the camber, makes it more negative.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: USA
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 217
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From: Azusa Ca.
Yes, camber and toe will change. Since its not a dramatic change it will only change the values a little bit but I would definitely get an alignment after the suspension settles down around couple of hundred miles. I lowered mine in stock bolts all four corners and planning on trimming one section of the rear bushing and will allign her again after that.
Goodluck!
Mike
Goodluck!
Mike
Last edited by pokerplayer; Oct 22, 2008 at 11:38 PM. Reason: edit
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
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From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
It WILL change the alignment, however it might be a small enough change that it will not be noticed...
Typically when you lower a car it would increase the negative camber...
this is actually often a good thing! First, it is beneficial to cornering.... Second, if your tires wear on the outside first (probably) it might actually remedy the situation and you'll actually see more even wear...
Typically when you lower a car it would increase the negative camber...
this is actually often a good thing! First, it is beneficial to cornering.... Second, if your tires wear on the outside first (probably) it might actually remedy the situation and you'll actually see more even wear...
In theory lowering the front would decrease camber and increase toe. If you lower the front and rear equally it will not effect caster. If you lower just the front it will decrease the caster.
The transverse leafspring vetts have is a different setup then what i have dealt with before. The lowering process is merely loosening/stiffening the pressure on the springs, hense lowering/raising ride height.
It has to decrease camber and increase toe but i doubt its very much. I would be more worried about the toe changing then the camber. A slight more negative CAMBER is a good thing for handling. but a toe out condition is not.
I will lower mine and take some before and after measurements to confirm all this. Thxs for the inputs, Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
Any one measuring the settings before and after lowering will find that it has changed. Hard numbers are much better than opinions. Camber, bump steer, toe, roll centers, rake, castor, and corner weights, will all be affected. Maybe not critical for a slight lowering , but they all change. A basic study course in suspension will increase your understanding of suspension and how all the elements interact and change with each setting.
Again, maybe not critical for a slight lowering, but, Please don't tell people that nothing changes.
Again, maybe not critical for a slight lowering, but, Please don't tell people that nothing changes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405