I had my H&R springs installed which I bought from tire rack. I have a 2004 Turbo Cab. I went to my Porsche dealer to do the alignment after the install and they could not put the Camber at the rear wheels within spec because the car was too low. The front dropped 1.25 and was able to be aligned. H&R claims a 1" drop, however, after measuring, I discovered the rear of the car dropped almost 2". The alignment shop could only put the camber at -2.3 on one side and -2.4 on the other side. The max he could adjust the Camber because the car is way too low in back is -1.8, however, if he did that the toe was way out of wack. So, he settled on putting the toe in spec and had to put the rear camber at the aforementioned -2.4. It is supposed to be at around -1.5. The other problem is I spent $743 for the install and another $275 for the alignment. I expect a refund of this money and for tirerack to rectify the problem immediately. What do you guys think? Thus far, tirerack has been unresponsive!

Lou

 

I'd call H&R in Bellingham, Washington.

They'll ask you some questions on how you mesured the ride height reduction (there's a right way and a wrong way).

However, a by-product of using lowering springs is that there is no adjustment to ride height, therefore, you can't raise it up some to bring the alignment to a less aggressive spec.

I believe even with PSS9's you won't be able to set the car to factory spec if the car is lowered aggressively, but someone else here (that has the PSS9's) will have to attest to that.

Again, I think you're claim is with H&R....but definitely complain about TireRack's failure to respond...most unusual for them, they've always treated me far and above what I expected.

 

Do they make camber kits for the turbo? I'd assume they would. But this is part of life w/ lowering a car. If you go to far down you won't be able to adjust the camber w/in factory specs and will need to buy a camber kit.


I cheated on my acura and just bent the lower control arm (not the safest thing int he world)


$750 for install seems pretty high, I feel bad for you p-car guys (but you've got the dough to spend) I pay 50-100 to swap suspension on my hondas if I'm to lazy to do it myself. $245 for alignment seems high

 

cOULD IT BE INSTALL PROB? iS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? jUST SPRINGS!

 

I don't buy that. Unless the front and rears are reversed. I can tell you that the H and R springs lower the car ALOT. More than the stated 1.5". Also, take it to another alignment shop. I think it is a matter or won't rather than can't when it comes the properly aligning the vehicle.

 

Check and see if the front and rear springs were swapped, Lou... it has happened before. With your alignment specs, you'll be buying tires more often than underwear.

 

Evoms has camber plates but I am not sure that will fix the problem. It may be an installation problem I have put in several H&R sets and not been that far our on the camber and they are usually 1.7-1.8

 

The front and rear are in the correct spot, H&R said 1" drop and my front dropped 1.25" and the rear 1.75" Way out of spec!! What toe is the car supposed to have with the springs? At the alignment shop, if they set the toe to 996 Turbo Euro spec(which is one inch lower than US car) then the best camber possible is -2.4. He said at max he could get camber to -1.8, but, then the toe is way out of wack. He installed Techart Sport Springs and was able to get the car at -1.3 camber with euro spec toe. What gives?? Thanks for help thus far.

Lou

 

Lou email damon the tire rack guy on the board - he will help you out

 

Dunno, Lou... assuming that the alignment tech knows what he (or she) is doing, the only thing I can think of specific to spring defects are either they're sagging (problem with alloy) or cut too short (not likely).

And while unlikely, make sure the spring perches of the dampers have not moved. And even more rediculous, but could the tech have left out any part/spacers of the upper strut mounts? Double check part number? I'm just trying to think of any little thing.

Most likely thought, the springs could simply be too low.

Can you trade them in for H&R coilovers? The springs really should be mated to specific dampers, both as a reflection of the new spring rate as well as preserving suspension travel. Shorter springs need short damper bodies. I really would never recommend doing just springs.

Good Luck...

 

You will have B I G problems with any springs on a 400HP + car.

Your car will pull to one side under WOT and to another under braking.

EVERYBODY who bought just springs last year has bought a coil- over since then.

Springs are not worth the $$$ you spent on the install.

To make it right you will spend more than on a PSS9 and a brand new install.

WARNING: Do not have anyone install a PSS9 who has not done a TT install at least five times before.

I have just been trough all this and ended up paying another $1,444 to SCarGo to fix all the problems with my PSS9. Now my car handles like I it should.

 

YIKES! What specifically happened. I was told that the installation was relatively straight forward but that I should get a professional alignment. Could you detail your problems?

TIA.

 

Seek out a shop that works on race cars. It's not the fact that you can't get an alignment done. It's the fact that most machines can't read the specs at the lowered height with low profile tires. I had a national tire chain tell me it couldn't be done. My 996 is very low (PSS9's) and I had a custom alignmennt done by GTPerfrmance with no problem. My car handles great! I'll try to find the specs and post.

Good luck, hang in there -

 

Somthing is wrong...
I have H&R springs on our 04 996TTCab and it has factory alignment specs no problem... The springs were purchased from Europe, so I am not sure if they are different...
Evan

 

Lou,

You have a PM