Lowering and Alignment?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 299
Likes: 23
From: LI New York
Lowering and Alignment?
I have a 2017 GS and want to lower on stock bolts. I see there's been some conflicting info on whether or not an alignment is required after lowering.
So what's the right answer? Alignment Y or N after lowering?
Ed
So what's the right answer? Alignment Y or N after lowering?
Ed
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 585
Likes: 65
From: Sierra Nevada Foothills CA
A good while after the lowering I did end up changing the alignment, mainly putting in more negative camber on all 4 wheels. (-1.3 degrees)
Last edited by axr6; Jan 24, 2017 at 07:59 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 468
Likes: 15
From: Jupiter FL
I just lowered on stock bolts on my '17GS. I had done it on my C-5 (even cut the pad in half) so I know how to do it.
I took measurements before and after. The rear both sids were the same in the front the right side was 1/4 inch higher. These measurements before. After the rear are the same (though lower) the fronts the right side is now an inch higher. I have taken it out and some some hard stops even engaged the anti lock a few times. Still the right is higher.
I jacked it up again pulled the wheel this time and made sure the pad was up to the bottom side of the spring like the others. The threads out the top were about the same length, about two finger widths.
I know I could raze the left side but just can't understand what could be the problem.
Any suggestions?
I took measurements before and after. The rear both sids were the same in the front the right side was 1/4 inch higher. These measurements before. After the rear are the same (though lower) the fronts the right side is now an inch higher. I have taken it out and some some hard stops even engaged the anti lock a few times. Still the right is higher.
I jacked it up again pulled the wheel this time and made sure the pad was up to the bottom side of the spring like the others. The threads out the top were about the same length, about two finger widths.
I know I could raze the left side but just can't understand what could be the problem.
Any suggestions?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 468
Likes: 15
From: Jupiter FL
Yes did take it out did about 5 miles with 5 hard stops.
But this morning I jacked it up and checked the bolt on the right side again and it was up all the way.
Then went to the left and turned the bolt about 2.5 turns.
Went about 2 miles with 3 hard stops. Came back and measured. It is about about 1/8 inch higher on the right.
Then I got to thinking, I am measuring at top lip of the fender not the frame (though I don't know how I could measure at the frame), it could be that the body is not resting on the frame evenly. I do recall it was higher on the right when I started by 3/8-1/2 inches.
Think I am on to something?
But this morning I jacked it up and checked the bolt on the right side again and it was up all the way.
Then went to the left and turned the bolt about 2.5 turns.
Went about 2 miles with 3 hard stops. Came back and measured. It is about about 1/8 inch higher on the right.
Then I got to thinking, I am measuring at top lip of the fender not the frame (though I don't know how I could measure at the frame), it could be that the body is not resting on the frame evenly. I do recall it was higher on the right when I started by 3/8-1/2 inches.
Think I am on to something?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Yes did take it out did about 5 miles with 5 hard stops.
But this morning I jacked it up and checked the bolt on the right side again and it was up all the way.
Then went to the left and turned the bolt about 2.5 turns.
Went about 2 miles with 3 hard stops. Came back and measured. It is about about 1/8 inch higher on the right.
Then I got to thinking, I am measuring at top lip of the fender not the frame (though I don't know how I could measure at the frame), it could be that the body is not resting on the frame evenly. I do recall it was higher on the right when I started by 3/8-1/2 inches.
Think I am on to something?
But this morning I jacked it up and checked the bolt on the right side again and it was up all the way.
Then went to the left and turned the bolt about 2.5 turns.
Went about 2 miles with 3 hard stops. Came back and measured. It is about about 1/8 inch higher on the right.
Then I got to thinking, I am measuring at top lip of the fender not the frame (though I don't know how I could measure at the frame), it could be that the body is not resting on the frame evenly. I do recall it was higher on the right when I started by 3/8-1/2 inches.
Think I am on to something?
The weight may be off because of twist from the sway bars too.
Quite a few things go into a proper alignment that are not commonly addressed especially when lowering the car
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 468
Likes: 15
From: Jupiter FL
But is there a way to check it on the ground? Not much room to get under with the car resting on the tires.
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I'm Batman..
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,142
Likes: 921
From: Lehigh Acres FL
Tech Contributor
^^ this. Best to measure from the bottom of the frame/body to the ground.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 45
At my dealer now getting the alignment checked will let you cats know if it went out of range.
I measured at the center of the wheel to the center of the fender. Not perfect I know but all four corners dropped 23-25mm. Rear is at 710mm and fronts at 680mm. Drove approx 75 miles.
update:::::no alignment needed
I measured at the center of the wheel to the center of the fender. Not perfect I know but all four corners dropped 23-25mm. Rear is at 710mm and fronts at 680mm. Drove approx 75 miles.
update:::::no alignment needed
Last edited by brettmess24; Oct 9, 2017 at 06:58 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 468
Likes: 15
From: Jupiter FL
I got the Longacre tool today. I measured the frame at different place and best I could tell there is only a 1/8 inch difference from side to side.
I have an appointment at the alinement shop tomorrow to see what is what. I will post results.
I have an appointment at the alinement shop tomorrow to see what is what. I will post results.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 250
What are the negatives to lowering the C7? On C5 that the other guy mentioned lowering including cutting the bolt pad destroys the suspension travel and makes the car slower. That's why racers use drop spindles on C5/6 or lower an inch or less. Lowering too much to make the car look good takes away suspension/shock travel and changes ideal a-arm alignment to the chassis. How low can the stock C7 go?
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 45
What are the negatives to lowering the C7? On C5 that the other guy mentioned lowering including cutting the bolt pad destroys the suspension travel and makes the car slower. That's why racers use drop spindles on C5/6 or lower an inch or less. Lowering too much to make the car look good takes away suspension/shock travel and changes ideal a-arm alignment to the chassis. How low can the stock C7 go?
Last edited by brettmess24; Oct 12, 2017 at 10:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 468
Likes: 15
From: Jupiter FL
Ok, here is the deal. Measured the frame and it was still 1/4 inch high on the right side.
Took it to the alignment shop he measured the body and frame and agreed with my measurements. Then the question. Do I want the frame level or the body level. I elected to go with the body level. So he played around with the height adjusters and did the alignment with the body level. I know the frame is 1/8-1/4 off but I was told it won't matter.
I did mention the idea of buying after market lowering bolts. He said because the stock leveler bolts are very long I may have to unbolt a control arm to get the stock bolts off the rear. Seems like more work than I want to get involved in for a while.
So body level ,car a bit lower, all is well.
Took it to the alignment shop he measured the body and frame and agreed with my measurements. Then the question. Do I want the frame level or the body level. I elected to go with the body level. So he played around with the height adjusters and did the alignment with the body level. I know the frame is 1/8-1/4 off but I was told it won't matter.
I did mention the idea of buying after market lowering bolts. He said because the stock leveler bolts are very long I may have to unbolt a control arm to get the stock bolts off the rear. Seems like more work than I want to get involved in for a while.
So body level ,car a bit lower, all is well.
Last edited by jaybar; Oct 13, 2017 at 08:55 PM.
I'm Batman..
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,142
Likes: 921
From: Lehigh Acres FL
Tech Contributor
Ok, here is the deal. Measured the frame and it was still 1/4 inch high on the right side.
Took it to the alignment shop he measured the body and frame and agreed with my measurements. Then the question. Do I want the frame level or the body level. I elected to go with the body level. So he played around with the height adjusters and did the alignment with the body level. I know the frame is 1/8-1/4 off but I was told it won't matter.
I did mention the idea of buying after market lowering bolts. He said because the stock leveler bolts are very long I may have to unbolt a control arm to get the stock bolts off the rear. Seems like more work than I want to get involved in for a while.
So body level ,car a bit lower, all is well.
Took it to the alignment shop he measured the body and frame and agreed with my measurements. Then the question. Do I want the frame level or the body level. I elected to go with the body level. So he played around with the height adjusters and did the alignment with the body level. I know the frame is 1/8-1/4 off but I was told it won't matter.
I did mention the idea of buying after market lowering bolts. He said because the stock leveler bolts are very long I may have to unbolt a control arm to get the stock bolts off the rear. Seems like more work than I want to get involved in for a while.
So body level ,car a bit lower, all is well.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 99
Likes: 16
Sorry for being a little off topic but, I’m looking to lower my car and should I use the stock bolts to lower it or should I buy aftermarket lowering bolts? Aftermarket cost about $200 for stainless steel bolts if I remember correctly. Is that worth the money? Or stock bolts will just be as good? Thanks in advance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5,688
Likes: 1,450
Sorry for being a little off topic but, I’m looking to lower my car and should I use the stock bolts to lower it or should I buy aftermarket lowering bolts? Aftermarket cost about $200 for stainless steel bolts if I remember correctly. Is that worth the money? Or stock bolts will just be as good? Thanks in advance.
