Alignment #'s in, what do you think?
11-30-2016, 08:19 AM
#16
Great. That's good news (sarcasm). Maybe I should invest in a home alignment kit. Top readings are the initial readings, bottom the new.
Top to bottom in big numbers (I think I have it right)
-Caster
-Front Camber
-Rear Camber
-Rear Toe
-Front Toe
The smaller numbers just above are the "normal" range. I'm going to take a height reading at some point to see if the ride height has suddenly dropped for some unknown reason. I'm still getting in and out of the driveway without scraping so sort of strange my camber would change that dramatically since it's non-adjustable.
Wonder if the gnarly roads are throwing it out.
Top to bottom in big numbers (I think I have it right)
-Caster
-Front Camber
-Rear Camber
-Rear Toe
-Front Toe
The smaller numbers just above are the "normal" range. I'm going to take a height reading at some point to see if the ride height has suddenly dropped for some unknown reason. I'm still getting in and out of the driveway without scraping so sort of strange my camber would change that dramatically since it's non-adjustable.
Wonder if the gnarly roads are throwing it out.
12-01-2016, 09:34 AM
#19
I have been reading this thread and the one you have on the370z forums. I thought I would throw out there that I noticed a decent camber and toe change in the rear after I lowered my car depending on weight in the rear (ie: 20 gallons of gas = ~ 120lbs). I think as we lower our chassis that the rear suspension travel is exaggerated with weight change. Just something to keep in mind. When I get my alignment done now I go in with a full tank of gas; that way as the car lightens up and starts to rise slightly I lose some camber and toe. I got my rear at -1.6° camber and 0.5° toe for the rear; 19" wheels with the same MPSS sizes you have, and at about a 2.25" drop give or take on average around the car.
Just thought I would mention something I've noted with the alignments I've had to deal with.
The front alignment, however, has been solid in numbers.
If you are looking for a super quick way to check your camber get yourself a AngleCube. They are about $25, you can use the magnets to just put it on your brake rotors. It's not a sure fire 100% perfect measurement by any means but it gives you a damn good idea of your camber and if it changes over time. Toe can be easily measured daily with some toe plates or the string setup for dirt cheap. My 2 cent advice on at home and track quick alignment checks.
Just thought I would mention something I've noted with the alignments I've had to deal with.
The front alignment, however, has been solid in numbers.
If you are looking for a super quick way to check your camber get yourself a AngleCube. They are about $25, you can use the magnets to just put it on your brake rotors. It's not a sure fire 100% perfect measurement by any means but it gives you a damn good idea of your camber and if it changes over time. Toe can be easily measured daily with some toe plates or the string setup for dirt cheap. My 2 cent advice on at home and track quick alignment checks.
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blnewt (12-01-2016)
12-01-2016, 06:34 PM
#20
Registered Member
I don't mean to jack this thread but, what is the range of adjustable of the stock front tie rods for toe? Will they be able to zero out toe at any ride height?
12-01-2016, 09:24 PM
#21
I have been reading this thread and the one you have on the370z forums. I thought I would throw out there that I noticed a decent camber and toe change in the rear after I lowered my car depending on weight in the rear (ie: 20 gallons of gas = ~ 120lbs). I think as we lower our chassis that the rear suspension travel is exaggerated with weight change. Just something to keep in mind. When I get my alignment done now I go in with a full tank of gas; that way as the car lightens up and starts to rise slightly I lose some camber and toe. I got my rear at -1.6° camber and 0.5° toe for the rear; 19" wheels with the same MPSS sizes you have, and at about a 2.25" drop give or take on average around the car.
Just thought I would mention something I've noted with the alignments I've had to deal with.
The front alignment, however, has been solid in numbers.
If you are looking for a super quick way to check your camber get yourself a AngleCube. They are about $25, you can use the magnets to just put it on your brake rotors. It's not a sure fire 100% perfect measurement by any means but it gives you a damn good idea of your camber and if it changes over time. Toe can be easily measured daily with some toe plates or the string setup for dirt cheap. My 2 cent advice on at home and track quick alignment checks.
Just thought I would mention something I've noted with the alignments I've had to deal with.
The front alignment, however, has been solid in numbers.
If you are looking for a super quick way to check your camber get yourself a AngleCube. They are about $25, you can use the magnets to just put it on your brake rotors. It's not a sure fire 100% perfect measurement by any means but it gives you a damn good idea of your camber and if it changes over time. Toe can be easily measured daily with some toe plates or the string setup for dirt cheap. My 2 cent advice on at home and track quick alignment checks.
I'm looking in to a home alignment system, I think the rough roads around here make it difficult to keep a decent alignment. I might have to back down on the damping a bit as I keep it pretty firm. Still waiting on the front arms, supposed to arrive tomorrow.
My wheels shipped out yesterday and they'll be here Monday. I'm going to run the current wheel setup for a bit longer and get a bit more wear out of them before swapping over to the new setup.
12-02-2016, 08:46 PM
#23
The front SPC arms came in this morning. Haven't seen anyone else that's purchased these yet so it's probably the first up close and personal look at them. You'd have to hold them to really understand how durable they seem to be made. It's a really solid piece. I think the Voodoos or SPL's would have been lighter but they were also $300 more expensive.
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blnewt (12-06-2016)
12-11-2016, 11:35 PM
#27
Spent half a day installing the front arms and rear links along with a few other tasks.
One thing I noticed is the SPL arms, adjusted out as far as they recommend, are shorter than the stock arms. I didn't measure the difference but I'm guessing it's a bit less than half an inch. The alignment in the rear is way off but I'm taking the car in tomorrow morning for an alignment. My toe is pretty out, car looks knock kneed in the rear. Luckily I'm a mile from the shop.
Everything went in fairly easy, no major issues. Both the SPC's and the SPL's require some big open ended wrenches which I didn't have. I used channel locks instead. It'd be great if they listed the required tools in the instructions. As for instructions, there really aren't any to speak of but there are plenty of DIY threads on this and the370 forum.
Not the best shot of it installed but it was dark out by the time I finished.
One thing I noticed is the SPL arms, adjusted out as far as they recommend, are shorter than the stock arms. I didn't measure the difference but I'm guessing it's a bit less than half an inch. The alignment in the rear is way off but I'm taking the car in tomorrow morning for an alignment. My toe is pretty out, car looks knock kneed in the rear. Luckily I'm a mile from the shop.
Everything went in fairly easy, no major issues. Both the SPC's and the SPL's require some big open ended wrenches which I didn't have. I used channel locks instead. It'd be great if they listed the required tools in the instructions. As for instructions, there really aren't any to speak of but there are plenty of DIY threads on this and the370 forum.
Not the best shot of it installed but it was dark out by the time I finished.
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blnewt (12-12-2016)
12-12-2016, 08:45 AM
#29
I slept on it last night and the shorter SPL arm length bothers me a bit given I was still in spec with the OEM camber arms. I've got a note into SPL asking them about it. It's just strange my toe is so out of spec simply by swapping over to the SPL arms.
12-12-2016, 10:22 AM
#30
Car is at the shop now, left it there as they couldn't get to it til noon. I had a not so pleasant clunking noise going over hard bumps. Asked them to check torque on front upper arms. Blackjack Speed Shop has actually been great to deal with and I feel like I can trust them to do things the right way.
It was like driving on ice on the way over. DEFINITELY don't recommend whatever toe setting I had on the rear, LOL. You could feel the rear end moving back and forth and feel the VLSD working. I don't think I got over 25mph on the way to the shop.
It was like driving on ice on the way over. DEFINITELY don't recommend whatever toe setting I had on the rear, LOL. You could feel the rear end moving back and forth and feel the VLSD working. I don't think I got over 25mph on the way to the shop.