Adjusting the Camber
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Adjusting the Camber
I have a couple of questions.
1. I had an alignment a couple of months ago to fix the problems after dropping the car on goldlines. Just last week I got new wheels + tires and that's when I noticed that the rear left is off a little bit. I took a level to the wheel and it's off level +.5" I know it shouldn't be exactly level, but the other three are off -.25"
So my question is : is this enough to worry about and should I adjust the camber?
2. My front left strut is blown for sure. It makes a knocking noise when I brake. It's been like that since Feb. I'm planning on getting konis later, but it's not a high priority right now. With this strut blown, will it throw off my alignment and cause uneven wear on my tires any time soon? I'm a little worried with the new tires because I want them to last me awhile. Any thoughts?
1. I had an alignment a couple of months ago to fix the problems after dropping the car on goldlines. Just last week I got new wheels + tires and that's when I noticed that the rear left is off a little bit. I took a level to the wheel and it's off level +.5" I know it shouldn't be exactly level, but the other three are off -.25"
So my question is : is this enough to worry about and should I adjust the camber?
2. My front left strut is blown for sure. It makes a knocking noise when I brake. It's been like that since Feb. I'm planning on getting konis later, but it's not a high priority right now. With this strut blown, will it throw off my alignment and cause uneven wear on my tires any time soon? I'm a little worried with the new tires because I want them to last me awhile. Any thoughts?
If you mounted new wheels and tires yourself without getting an alignment after the install, you're gonna have to get another one. The best time to do this is after you're done modifying your suspension.
And no, if you're worried about tire wear, that's not enough to be concerned, IMO.
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And no, if you're worried about tire wear, that's not enough to be concerned, IMO.
You can't attach more than one photo per post. If you want to put multiple photos in a post you must upload them to another server or in your "My Ride" section.
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Mounting tires and wheels yourself should have nothing to do with your alignment. You dont need an alignment just because you installed new tires and wheels.
For question 1, the best way to tell is to take it to a shop and have them look at the numbers. Your method is okay, but not nearly as accurate as a well equiped shop. Though if you can do it, just get under there and adjust the camber arm out maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 turn and re-measure. Drive it around first though so it settles. I'd still take it to a shop.
About question 2, the strut for the most part only provides dampening and doesnt set the ride height, thats what the spring does. So no it shouldnt affect your alignment. You might get a little more wearing since its moving up and down more, but prolly not enough to warrant a new tire.
For question 1, the best way to tell is to take it to a shop and have them look at the numbers. Your method is okay, but not nearly as accurate as a well equiped shop. Though if you can do it, just get under there and adjust the camber arm out maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 turn and re-measure. Drive it around first though so it settles. I'd still take it to a shop.
About question 2, the strut for the most part only provides dampening and doesnt set the ride height, thats what the spring does. So no it shouldnt affect your alignment. You might get a little more wearing since its moving up and down more, but prolly not enough to warrant a new tire.
Last edited by flotsamm; Jun 18, 2003 at 08:30 AM.
Originally posted by flotsamm
Mounting tires and wheels yourself should have nothing to do with your alignment. You dont need an alignment just because you installed new tires and wheels.
Mounting tires and wheels yourself should have nothing to do with your alignment. You dont need an alignment just because you installed new tires and wheels.
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Rep Power: 417 Originally posted by SlammedBlueEM2
Are you sure? From my experience, if the wheel/tire combo is a different size than before, the car will automatically steer to the side by itself when letting go of the steering wheel.
Are you sure? From my experience, if the wheel/tire combo is a different size than before, the car will automatically steer to the side by itself when letting go of the steering wheel.
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by SlammedBlueEM2
Are you sure? From my experience, if the wheel/tire combo is a different size than before, the car will automatically steer to the side by itself when letting go of the steering wheel.
Are you sure? From my experience, if the wheel/tire combo is a different size than before, the car will automatically steer to the side by itself when letting go of the steering wheel.
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Rep Power: 310 If it pulls to one side after installing new tires and wheels, then it probably from a mis-balanced or defective tire. When ever someone gets new tires and wheels an alignment isnt mandatory to my knowledge.
Originally posted by flotsamm
If it pulls to one side after installing new tires and wheels, then it probably from a mis-balanced or defective tire. When ever someone gets new tires and wheels an alignment isnt mandatory to my knowledge.
If it pulls to one side after installing new tires and wheels, then it probably from a mis-balanced or defective tire. When ever someone gets new tires and wheels an alignment isnt mandatory to my knowledge.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by flotsamm
About question 2, the strut for the most part only provides dampening and doesnt set the ride height, thats what the spring does. So no it shouldnt affect your alignment. You might get a little more wearing since its moving up and down more, but prolly not enough to warrant a new tire.
About question 2, the strut for the most part only provides dampening and doesnt set the ride height, thats what the spring does. So no it shouldnt affect your alignment. You might get a little more wearing since its moving up and down more, but prolly not enough to warrant a new tire.
here's the link
http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/t...ht_suspension/
"The front ride height changed minimally, with an increase of only 5mm. The rear is a different story. Gone is the sagging butt, replaced with a cool, sporty and truly usable stance. Ride height increased by a whopping 55mm in the rear, a full 2-in."
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Rep Power: 0 so I should go check to make sure they're balanced correctly? I didn't know it could go off b/c of shipping. I'll take them in soon to have them checked out.
tire pressure is @ 45 psi on all of them. So it can't be that.
tire pressure is @ 45 psi on all of them. So it can't be that.
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From: 4o8, California
Rep Power: 310 Originally posted by CivicHX01
i think i have to correct you on that one... the strut does affect the ride height... i installed my rear koni's and my car got much much higher, and am now in the process of installing the front... i have to now readjust my ground controls to get the height i had before... eibach got the same results when they installed koni's as well...
here's the link
http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/t...ht_suspension/
"The front ride height changed minimally, with an increase of only 5mm. The rear is a different story. Gone is the sagging butt, replaced with a cool, sporty and truly usable stance. Ride height increased by a whopping 55mm in the rear, a full 2-in."
i think i have to correct you on that one... the strut does affect the ride height... i installed my rear koni's and my car got much much higher, and am now in the process of installing the front... i have to now readjust my ground controls to get the height i had before... eibach got the same results when they installed koni's as well...
here's the link
http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/t...ht_suspension/
"The front ride height changed minimally, with an increase of only 5mm. The rear is a different story. Gone is the sagging butt, replaced with a cool, sporty and truly usable stance. Ride height increased by a whopping 55mm in the rear, a full 2-in."
Brent1- The tire pressure and balancing should be checked if it pulls to one side or your getting some vibrations and such. All you should need to do assuming there's nothing wrong with your tires and wheels is an alignment.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by flotsamm
Thats because your Koni have an rear adjustable spring perch. The actual strut damper doesnt set the height, but the spring and its perch instead.
Brent1- The tire pressure and balancing should be checked if it pulls to one side or your getting some vibrations and such. All you should need to do assuming there's nothing wrong with your tires and wheels is an alignment.
Thats because your Koni have an rear adjustable spring perch. The actual strut damper doesnt set the height, but the spring and its perch instead.
Brent1- The tire pressure and balancing should be checked if it pulls to one side or your getting some vibrations and such. All you should need to do assuming there's nothing wrong with your tires and wheels is an alignment.
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Rep Power: 310 The perch has two settings so it is adjustable. Your contradicting yourself now. First you say the strut DOES set the ride height, then you say it doesnt.. whateva.
Another way to look at what I'm saying is you could take out all of the oil out of the damper and the ride height would not be affected.
Another way to look at what I'm saying is you could take out all of the oil out of the damper and the ride height would not be affected.
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by flotsamm
The perch has two settings so it is adjustable. Your contradicting yourself now. First you say the strut DOES set the ride height, then you say it doesnt.. whateva.
The perch has two settings so it is adjustable. Your contradicting yourself now. First you say the strut DOES set the ride height, then you say it doesnt.. whateva.
go get some koni's first and DIY install them before you say anything....
Originally posted by flotsamm
Another way to look at what I'm saying is you could take out all of the oil out of the damper and the ride height would not be affected.
Another way to look at what I'm saying is you could take out all of the oil out of the damper and the ride height would not be affected.
have you every tried pushing down a shock? well like a spring it pops back up by itself (slowly)... unless the shock is blown, it will just fall down due to gravity which is what my stock ones did... i see you have eibach sportlines on your car, your stock shocks will soon become worn out and your back end will start to sag (if it doesn't sag already)... go get some koni's and trust me, your car will sit a bit higher and have a more even stance....
Last edited by CivicHX01; Jun 21, 2003 at 06:04 PM.
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Rep Power: 310 I dont need to buy a set of Konis to know what a c-clip does on an adjustable perch. It doesnt take a brain surgeon to figure out how it works.
Anyways I think were talking about two differrent things now. Your referring to setting the ride height by a two finger gap(difference between the c-clips) and I'm talking about overall ride height. Sure the damper will de-compress when its not under a load, but its not enough to support the vehicle.
Think of it this way, if you removed your springs out of your car, would the struts be enough to support it? Uhm.. hrrmph I dont think so..
Anyways I think were talking about two differrent things now. Your referring to setting the ride height by a two finger gap(difference between the c-clips) and I'm talking about overall ride height. Sure the damper will de-compress when its not under a load, but its not enough to support the vehicle.
Think of it this way, if you removed your springs out of your car, would the struts be enough to support it? Uhm.. hrrmph I dont think so..
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by qkmike
CivicHX01, u r right, the koni's will raise the back a little, like a 2 finger gap and it use to have 1/2 a finger gap. And i have koni's with sportline.
CivicHX01, u r right, the koni's will raise the back a little, like a 2 finger gap and it use to have 1/2 a finger gap. And i have koni's with sportline.
sportlines + stock blown shock = compressed spring and lower stance
sportlines + stronger koni = spring not compressed as much and higher stance
well that is unless you adjust the koni to the lowest setting... but thats kinda dumb...
moral of the story: don't drive on blown shocks!
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by flotsamm
So lets see.. hrrm. When I want to lower my car I should buy struts instead of springs? Riioght..
So lets see.. hrrm. When I want to lower my car I should buy struts instead of springs? Riioght..
1st you said:
Originally posted by flotsamm
About question 2, the strut for the most part only provides dampening and doesnt set the ride height
About question 2, the strut for the most part only provides dampening and doesnt set the ride height
I never said anything about buying struts instead of springs to lower a car....
of course you need lowering springs to lower a car.... but you need aftermarket struts (only ones out are koni of course) because the stock ones will blow and make the ride crappy... stock struts were designed only to work with the stock springs...
and now for the last time:
MY POINT IS THAT BLOWN STOCK SHOCKS MAKE YOUR RIDE LOWER BECAUSE THE SPRING COMPRESSES MORE AND YOU ARE WRONG WHEN YOU SAY STRUTS DON'T HELP TO SET THE RIDE HEIGHT
fin.
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Rep Power: 310 You wrote:
"i think i have to correct you on that one... the strut does affect the ride height..."
then later you wrote:
"so i'd have to correct you again, the strut does not set the height"
now your saying:
"the strength of the strut does affect the height"
Whateva man.. I'm done with this thread. As far as needing to learn how to read, look at what I wrote that you quoted directly above. It says "the strut for the most part only provides dampening". What part of "for the most part" dont you understand?
"i think i have to correct you on that one... the strut does affect the ride height..."
then later you wrote:
"so i'd have to correct you again, the strut does not set the height"
now your saying:
"the strength of the strut does affect the height"
Whateva man.. I'm done with this thread. As far as needing to learn how to read, look at what I wrote that you quoted directly above. It says "the strut for the most part only provides dampening". What part of "for the most part" dont you understand?
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by flotsamm
You wrote:
"i think i have to correct you on that one... the strut does affect the ride height..."
then later you wrote:
"so i'd have to correct you again, the strut does not set the height"
now your saying:
"the strength of the strut does affect the height"
You wrote:
"i think i have to correct you on that one... the strut does affect the ride height..."
then later you wrote:
"so i'd have to correct you again, the strut does not set the height"
now your saying:
"the strength of the strut does affect the height"
"i'd have to correct you again, the strut does not set the height but it DOES AFFECT it because the spring will be more compressed if the setting is low or the strut is weak"
all i've done is say the SAME thing 3 times in different ways, but i guess you still can't understand it....
Originally posted by flotsamm
Whateva man.. I'm done with this thread. As far as needing to learn how to read, look at what I wrote that you quoted directly above. It says "the strut for the most part only provides dampening". What part of "for the most part" dont you understand?
Whateva man.. I'm done with this thread. As far as needing to learn how to read, look at what I wrote that you quoted directly above. It says "the strut for the most part only provides dampening". What part of "for the most part" dont you understand?
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From: Milwaukee Wi
Rep Power: 0 IMO i would get the koni's and do and alignment. that would solve your problems. remember a little - camber is good for hoandling. Im running -.8 on the front and -1.1 on rears with koni yellows all around and skunk2 coilovers. My car handles well.
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From: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, US
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by CivicHX01
thanks for proving my point... same springs (sportlines) different shocks (stock vs. koni)... different ride height...
sportlines + stock blown shock = compressed spring and lower stance
sportlines + stronger koni = spring not compressed as much and higher stance
well that is unless you adjust the koni to the lowest setting... but thats kinda dumb...
moral of the story: don't drive on blown shocks!
thanks for proving my point... same springs (sportlines) different shocks (stock vs. koni)... different ride height...
sportlines + stock blown shock = compressed spring and lower stance
sportlines + stronger koni = spring not compressed as much and higher stance
well that is unless you adjust the koni to the lowest setting... but thats kinda dumb...
moral of the story: don't drive on blown shocks!
would they blow out, affect perfomance, or both?
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From: Milwaukee Wi
Rep Power: 0 no if you set the koni spring perch to the lower setting the spring would just sit lower= lower stance. but the lowest setting on the koni is higher than stock so you will get a higher stance. as far as adjustment goes, koni "adjustables" are adjustable for dampening, not ride height. ride hieght is determined by springs (coilovers) so you can adjust how fast the shock rebounds. making it firm provides better ahndling but a harsher ride while softening them would soften the ride but you would sacrifice handling.
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From: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, US
Rep Power: 0 Thanks for the info man, I am currently putting together a suspension for my EX.
I have skunk2 lowering springs and I've found out through searching the web site that
stock shocks will blow eventually. I figure I'll end up with the koni yellows...but anyway thanks
I have skunk2 lowering springs and I've found out through searching the web site that
stock shocks will blow eventually. I figure I'll end up with the koni yellows...but anyway thanks
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