Note for lowered suspension that hasn't been aligned

[-RJ3-]

I just got my car re-aligned at mississauga mazda, and noticed a bigger gap on the rearside... Looks to me that when your car gets aligned with lowered suspension, it will not look as low as before. It will have a noticeable gap at the rear end. And to think
the minimal gap was because of my springs.

[KenYork]

That could have been part of the source of your previous mileage problems

[doughboyr6]

damn....now i don't want to get my alignment done....

[aznkid.com]

damn....now i don't want to get my alignment done....

Werd.

[axelaR]

Thats interesting. I got mine lowered the first week of June 1.75" all around and been to busy to get an alignment. I'll report back once aligned and see if there's any change.

R.

[whiteomega]

i don't think i waited long enough for mine to settle after i lowered it, but i got the alignment down about a week after the springs/shocks were put in. it had to be redone a week later cause i noticed it was WAY out. so far though, i haven't noticed any other issues.

[WeatherB]

I recently got mine aligned at Scarboro Mazda... The drop did not change after the alignment.

Who installed your springs? I've heard there is a right and wrong way do do it. :)

[Azi]

are the springs on the right side of the car?

i.e. are the front springs on the front, and the rears on the rear?

[-RJ3-]

I just rechecked my suspension and it looks settled again... maybe i parked at an uneven surface.... Mississauga Mazda said they can do aftermarket /lowered aligned vehicles... The problem with this is you need to get an alignment pro to give the settings to you... MM said they will do the alignment, they just need settings to manually do it.

[p-o-g-i]

Hey -RJ3-, who installed the drop for you? Just curious....
Sorry if you told me the last time I saw you... I just don't rememeber....

[-RJ3-]

The shop that installed my springs was Mike from Marquez motors... He did it for a while but he went back to school... Its a family owned shop.... He is located at southdown/lakeshore, the units behind the go station

[azn_outlaw]

For installation of stuff visit Jim at street performance, a tip for you, try to book your appointments before 1pm, after that it gets crazy busy but with going early you get the reward of qucik and percise service at a really good price...



and with your car Ryan, it just raised up cause the car was up in the car for a while..

after driving for a bit the springs will settle which is what you did...and good they took care of you at Mississauga Mazda...

something tells me they are going to be talkin to me, indicating the amount of Modified mazda's comming through the service doors...

[3GFX]

I think this is good news! When I get ProKits eventually, it won't be a level drop! The back will be a little higher :p hehe

[-RJ3-]

and with your car Ryan, it just raised up cause the car was up in the car for a while..



Sorry bro... I laughed reading this..... up in the car...

[MattC]

anyone with a lowered car ever go to MoT for an alignment?

[Effin Itai]

Come on guys, we are killing our OEM shocks and struts with the lowered springs. I'm doing the same thing. You guys know that an alignment is necessary, lowered or stock. Pot holes and curbing your tires will screw up the allignment. You will have increased tire wear, inconsistent gas milleage, stress on control arm bushings, not to mention poor steering control. Just lowered my car last week, and I have to go back for a brake job and allignment. Ya gotta spend the money sometimes to prevent problems in the future. 2 cents!

[S.F.W.]

anyone with a lowered car ever go to MoT for an alignment?
I had an alignment done at MOT, but wouldn't recommend it again. They could not adjust the rear much as I did not have a camber kit installed. Also, $99 plus tax when they couldn't align the rear, I felt that was high.

[S.F.W.]

Come on guys, we are killing our OEM shocks and struts with the lowered springs. I'm doing the same thing. You guys know that an alignment is necessary, lowered or stock. Pot holes and curbing your tires will screw up the allignment. You will have increased tire wear, inconsistent gas milleage, stress on control arm bushings, not to mention poor steering control. Just lowered my car last week, and I have to go back for a brake job and allignment. Ya gotta spend the money sometimes to prevent problems in the future. 2 cents!

Are we putting additional wear on them, yes absolutely. Killing them? I don't think so, if we are abusing them that much they would die within 12 months of putting the springs on. I also disagree with your gas mileage statement. My average gas mileage hasn't changed before and after spring install, and before and after alignment.
Poor steering control..I also disagree on that, will it be more precise after an alignment yes, but it will not make a drastic difference.
I'll see if I can find the results sheet from my alignment, the changes aren't drastic.

[Flagrum_3]

Are we putting additional wear on them, yes absolutely. Killing them? I don't think so, if we are abusing them that much they would die within 12 months of putting the springs on. I also disagree with your gas mileage statement. My average gas mileage hasn't changed before and after spring install, and before and after alignment.
Poor steering control..I also disagree on that, will it be more precise after an alignment yes, but it will not make a drastic difference.
I'll see if I can find the results sheet from my alignment, the changes aren't drastic.

Getting an alignment is just good sense, atleast every couple of years and especially if you've dropped the car. I can't see a mild drop such as the pro-kits effecting the shocks or struts much at all, of course it will shorten the life of them but not by much.As for gas mileage, sure if your alignment is out it will effect mileage thats just logical, but worse than that, like effen said it can also cause premature wear on other components.So moral of the story; spend the $80 or $90 bucks and rest easy.


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[MattC]

Anyone know a place that can properly align for the prokit drop?

if so please give them a shoutout in here and help other members out!

[b3GS]

If you're in Oakville.. go to this place

http://www.rowetechautomotive.com/

Simon is the owner.. and a great guy! He's the only guy I trust with my cars

make sure to tell him Brian sent ya his way!!

[Effin Itai]

Are we putting additional wear on them, yes absolutely. Killing them? I don't think so, if we are abusing them that much they would die within 12 months of putting the springs on. I also disagree with your gas mileage statement. My average gas mileage hasn't changed before and after spring install, and before and after alignment.
Poor steering control..I also disagree on that, will it be more precise after an alignment yes, but it will not make a drastic difference.
I'll see if I can find the results sheet from my alignment, the changes aren't drastic.

Okay Mr. Mechanic! LOL! Ask your mechanic and see what he says. If he is a good and honest one, he will yell you exactly what you need to do.

[-RJ3-]

If you're in Oakville.. go to this place

http://www.rowetechautomotive.com/

Simon is the owner.. and a great guy! He's the only guy I trust with my cars

make sure to tell him Brian sent ya his way!!


I agree with you a hundred percent!!!! Simon is the man.... If I get any suspension done, It will be him..

[Flagrum_3]

I think this is good news! When I get ProKits eventually, it won't be a level drop! The back will be a little higher :p hehe

Sorry to kill your joy but the pro-kits will drop the vehicle evenly all around as they are designed to. but, on the other hand, I have noticed slight differences in the drop from vehicle to vehicle from cars I've seen at meets but in most cases I would say they leave a 1 inch gap between tire and wheel-well at all four wheels.(stock 17' wheels/tires).

On a side note; I think waiting one week before getting an alignment is not long enough for the springs to settle, I personaly waited about 3 weeks and periodically measured the gap and noticed the springs didn't settle at the same rate and didn't stop settling completely till approximately that time.....and another thing when getting your alignment make sure your vehicle is cleaned out and your tank is near full when its gettiing done.


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[3GFX]

I agree with you a hundred percent!!!! Simon is the man.... If I get any suspension done, It will be him..


+1 Simon and team are awesome!!! Just look at some of their work! The Top Tuner Solstice and the Acurabot!

[MattC]

Phoned Rowe Tech for a quote and he said 120 for alignment.

is it worth it for the 20$ more and 40 KM drive to oakville, vs getting MoT to do it?

[b3GS]

^Simon quoted you $20 more then the dealership? or $20 less?

for a $20 difference.. it probably isn't worth the drive

but if he quoted higher.. call him back and tell him what the dealer charges
and he will beat it

[-RJ3-]

Note to people trying to get alignments done at dealerships.... You will not get your car back to mazda specs without getting exact adjustments from an alignment shop.

Last time I heard Simon charges 120 for all 4 corners and brings it back to spec.


So really would you get your alignment done at a dealership that can't even meet the specs, or go to an alignment shop that specializes in these things.


Kenny your the man at Mississauga Mazda, but there is some areas in servicing that needs improvement... I'll pm you later.

[MattC]

simon quoted me 20$ more, i almost want to pay the extra cash, just because my springs aren't a mazda part... maybe save me from having to deal with MoT's crazy service manager...

[b3GS]

If I were you.. I would give Simon a call back and tell him the quote from the Dealer was $20 more.. he will match or beat it

Just tell him what the dealer was going to charge you, and ask him to match it

[sp3GT]

I'm going to Tire Depot to get my alignment done, it's $70 + tax. I've heard from Warren (Wtom) they're good.

[MattC]

let us all know how it goes man! if he does a good job, he will have more business coming his way.

[doughboyr6]

i need an alignment done now...got my camber kits installed....Erin Mills mazda charges $120, but the service manager gave me a deal for $100....

but now hearing that dealerships can't get it back to specs...what's the point? just for them to print out a sheet to let me know if i'm out of spec or not? then take it elsewhere who can do it?

If that's the case, i'll just call rowetech and see if they can do it for $100, and they are only 3 mins from my house.

[chinsterr]

alignment is a must on any car that has been lowered.

Your toe will be all out of whack once the springs are installed. This will cause crazy tire wear on the insides of your tires, which may not be visible at a quick glance. Affect gas mileage? Possibly, since the toe is mesesed there is unnecessary drag between the tire and road. Then again, you'll corner alot better :P In fact, thats how most GT cars run.

[garboui]

alignment is a must on any car that has been lowered.

Your toe will be all out of whack once the springs are installed. This will cause crazy tire wear on the insides of your tires, which may not be visible at a quick glance. Affect gas mileage? Possibly, since the toe is mesesed there is unnecessary drag between the tire and road. Then again, you'll corner alot better :P In fact, thats how most GT cars run.

please correct me if im wrong. lowering our cars throws the front toe all outta wack, causing the insides to wear. this would mean that as our car is lowered causes our car to toe out. a car thats being run toed out will be "darty" and have a very tritchy feeling in the steering(not to be confused with uber quick handling). Most race cars run setup with their tires slightly toed in, and the amount depending on suspension geo, travel etc. if the race cars suspension toes out durring compression then the tires will be adjusted toe in just enough so that when the suspension compresses, (bump corner etc.) the wheel may only toe out a very slight amount if not at all. another effect of a toed out car is huge bump steer because the wheel is turning into the direction of the bump as the wheel travells up.

[sp3GT]

let us all know how it goes man! if he does a good job, he will have more business coming his way.

Tire Depot is ridiculously busy they're open from 8am but I called about 10 mins ago and they already have 3 cars. So I'm going to Superior Tire & Auto in Markham which charges $80 and takes appointments.

[Flagrum_3]

Tire Depot is ridiculously busy they're open from 8am but I called about 10 mins ago and they already have 3 cars. So I'm going to Superior Tire & Auto in Markham which charges $80 and takes appointments.

I had my alignment done at Tire Depot and they are 'very busy', also they don't make appointments, best bet is to show up early like 7:30 because they work on a first come first serve basis.As for thier work their alright (8/10), and they have high quality alignment equipment.They'll give you a print-out of the specs and will not push any extra work on you....In my case with the pro-kit drop everything was still within specs, with one rear wheel near the outter camber spec but still okay.

Note; When you go in make sure your vehicle is empty of any heavy items and your gas tank is at or near full for proper set-up.


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[chinsterr]

Note; When you go in make sure your vehicle is empty of any heavy items and your gas tank is at or near full for proper set-up.


Never heard that one before , but it does make sense. Good tip

[Flagrum_3]

Never heard that one before , but it does make sense. Good tip

Yeah its in the Shop Manual, and if you think thats weird for Audi's they need to place weights on the seats or was it drivers seat, I can't remember.


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[sp3GT]

I got the alignment done at Superior Tire I'd say it's pretty good and didn't take too long. They included a full print out showing all the specs.

With my H-techs the biggest problem was just the Toe for the front, everything else was within spec.

[doughboyr6]

i don't get why the dealership isn't able to get the car back to specs...they've got an alignment machine. they've got the tools/manuals/spec sheets....why can't they do it?

[Flagrum_3]

i don't get why the dealership isn't able to get the car back to specs...they've got an alignment machine. they've got the tools/manuals/spec sheets....why can't they do it?

Incompetence maybe!?:chuckle


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[rcd001]

Got my pro kit installed yesterday and I was told that an alignment is not required. The installer has installed many pro kits on the M3's and is well known on this forum for providing excellent work.

Getting an alignment is either required or not? Why is there not a black and white answer to this, besides what the blood sucking dealers try to say or advise.

[M3!]

Got my pro kit installed yesterday and I was told that an alignment is not required. The installer has installed many pro kits on the M3's and is well known on this forum for providing excellent work.

Getting an alignment is either required or not? Why is there not a black and white answer to this, besides what the blood sucking dealers try to say or advise.

I've had my pro-kits for about 9 months and there was no alignment done on them, now the inner walls of my rear tires are completely bald, and the right tire is wearing out faster than the left. I would spend the $120 and get the alignment done, much cheaper than getting new tires.

[rcd001]

So an alignment is required as proven by your results. Do I need to purchase the alignment kit or just ask my mechanic to do this. I don't want to get Mazda to do it because they charge to much and a 1 hour job takes 8 hours.

[M3!]

Scarborough Mazda doesn't mind working on lowered vehicles, but I haven't had my alignment done there before so I do not want to tell you to go there, but the service staff there is very helpful and friendly. Also the owner there owns one of the fastest RX-8's in Ontario so he is all for MOD's.

I believe there is a good alignment shop in Scar that Prelude club members go to. Too lazy to read, but it may be listed on this thread. I hear they do a good job. As for the alignment Kit, most members here say that a Camber kit is not needed, I don't think you need anything extra, just take it to a shop and they should be able to hook you up.

[Flagrum_3]

So an alignment is required as proven by your results. Do I need to purchase the alignment kit or just ask my mechanic to do this. I don't want to get Mazda to do it because they charge to much and a 1 hour job takes 8 hours.

I'd say its not a matter that his alignment was out that makes it a requirement, but that anytime you go Re and Reing' suspension components and plus the fact that your changing the suspension geometry with the drop, it only makes sense that you'd want to atleast get the alignment checked.It might not be necessary to have to get camber kits for your car as in most cases with members here, with the same Pro-kit drop, have not needed it including myself but, every car is slightly different and you could end up in M3!'s case.But give it a couple of weeks for the springs to settle before you take it in.
Also the alignment shouldn't cost you more than $90 to get it done.Search some of the posts and you'll find info on that.

Hope that helps.


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[rcd001]

Thanks brother, I appreciate the advice. I'll do some more reading on alignment shops.

[EvilDeadFan]

An alignment was my first priority once I first had the car dropped. I think less than two weeks went by before I was able to have it done. No real difference in back.

[p-o-g-i]

I got the alignment done at Superior Tire I'd say it's pretty good and didn't take too long. They included a full print out showing all the specs.

With my H-techs the biggest problem was just the Toe for the front, everything else was within spec.

Anyone have the address and/ or phone # for this place????

[FLIPDADY]

Note to anyone going lower than H-Techs; the rear camber cannot be adjusted unless you install some camber links.

[Fuman]

Note to anyone going lower than H-Techs; the rear camber cannot be adjusted unless you install some camber links.
if you are on S-techs. You will most likely need the camber links.
Some members have gotten lucky though.