Do I need an alignment?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Do I need an alignment?
I added Baer billet spacers in the front and back of my 2010 Grand Sport and I lowered the car all the way on aftermarket lowering bolts. Do I need an alignment? Also I read somewhere on the Forums to get the rear tires aligned as well? I didn't know the rear could be or needed to be aligned? Something about the wear & tear on the rear tires will be uneven after spacing them? I only spaced them 3/8 inch in the rear and 1/2 inch in the front. Looks hot btw!! Pics to come.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
Full alignment.
You need to specify what you want or else theyre going to do a tire saving alignment that doesnt benefit your performance.
The spacer issue is that some or most of these cars are a bit different from one side to the other. The distances you have added shouldnt be an issue but if you start seeing some rubbing on the tires you can always go with a thinner spacer.
You need to specify what you want or else theyre going to do a tire saving alignment that doesnt benefit your performance.
The spacer issue is that some or most of these cars are a bit different from one side to the other. The distances you have added shouldnt be an issue but if you start seeing some rubbing on the tires you can always go with a thinner spacer.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Which Baer spacers did you use? I lowered my '12 GS only 2 turns front, & 2 turns rear(maxed out) & then had the alignment checked & it was still nicely in spec.
I've since lowered it more by cutting 1/4" (1 rib) off the rear lowering bolts, & turning the fronts an additional 2 turns to their max, so I will get the alignment checked again.
Many tire shops offer a free alignment check, although I tend to think they can 'interpret' the alignment readings to suit them, as I've had 2 different shops give me quite different alignment readings on the same day. This likely just means there's a variance between alignment machines, I've heard Hunter is considered top notch, but who knows.
I've since lowered it more by cutting 1/4" (1 rib) off the rear lowering bolts, & turning the fronts an additional 2 turns to their max, so I will get the alignment checked again.
Many tire shops offer a free alignment check, although I tend to think they can 'interpret' the alignment readings to suit them, as I've had 2 different shops give me quite different alignment readings on the same day. This likely just means there's a variance between alignment machines, I've heard Hunter is considered top notch, but who knows.
I found a shop here that does a klot of lowered performance cars. THey said its $54.99 for a 4 wheel alignment which I thought was very reasonable.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Any time you affect the ride height, it will affect the control arm position which can affect camber. Camber will have a direct impact on toe... Just the nature of the beast. I doubt that the spacers will have as significant effect on the overall alignment specs.
If you're handy, there are a couple good write-ups in a DIY alignment. David Farmer's old website had a good write-up on it, but I'm not sure if that's still active. Not bad to learn, I taught myself over a 6 pack and an afternoon. If you don't feel comfortable with a DIY, maybe fine a shop that offers lifetime alignments so you can pay once and align whenever you want.
If you're handy, there are a couple good write-ups in a DIY alignment. David Farmer's old website had a good write-up on it, but I'm not sure if that's still active. Not bad to learn, I taught myself over a 6 pack and an afternoon. If you don't feel comfortable with a DIY, maybe fine a shop that offers lifetime alignments so you can pay once and align whenever you want.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
Any time you affect the ride height, it will affect the control arm position which can affect camber. Camber will have a direct impact on toe... Just the nature of the beast. I doubt that the spacers will have as significant effect on the overall alignment specs.
If you're handy, there are a couple good write-ups in a DIY alignment. David Farmer's old website had a good write-up on it, but I'm not sure if that's still active. Not bad to learn, I taught myself over a 6 pack and an afternoon. If you don't feel comfortable with a DIY, maybe fine a shop that offers lifetime alignments so you can pay once and align whenever you want.
If you're handy, there are a couple good write-ups in a DIY alignment. David Farmer's old website had a good write-up on it, but I'm not sure if that's still active. Not bad to learn, I taught myself over a 6 pack and an afternoon. If you don't feel comfortable with a DIY, maybe fine a shop that offers lifetime alignments so you can pay once and align whenever you want.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
A four-wheel alignment using PFADT's Street or Track specs is a wise decision IMHO.
Have the car corner balanced as well.
Have the car corner balanced as well.
Last edited by Knob Jockey; Aug 1, 2012 at 02:18 AM. Reason: sp