I recently lowered my car with the below items (see sig) and thought my front was to "slammed". I asked the shop before I picked it up to higher it a bit and they did. When I got there I still thought it was to low compared to the rear (the front wheels where too tucked), but didn't want to bother the shop right at that time I told them that I am going to get larger spacers (21mm vs the 14mm that I had on) and it might not look so slammed becauset you should see more tread of the tire. Well I put the spacers on the front(21mm) and the larger spacer on the rear (12mm) and now the car looks like the front is still to low and the rear to high (now you can see even more tread in the rear).

If I was to raise the front about 1cm (0.4inch) would I need to re-align my car?

Would it put off all my settings/alignment just raising the front 1cm?!

Also, if I was going to raise the front 1cm and lower the rear 1cm would I have to re-align the car?



Thanks

Bobby Ali

ba

 

In my opinion, no need to realign. I am sure you will get responses saying that you should, but that's probably from folks that are **** about their cars. If you were to go closer to an inch, I'd say, yes, but 1cm is negligible. My $.02

 

I would agree probably not if you don't change any other parameters. Get the car corner balanced proper. You will love it!

 

before you attempt it, make sure your tire pressure is the same ALL AROUND.
are you doing this on an empty tank or a full tank, or in between ?

you have 997 wheels. you should be running spacers on a 996... are you ?
take some pics for us. it may just LOOK too low because its sitting tucked under the fender.
here's an example.
these are 3 different wheels on my old 996 at the exact same ride height. looks can be deceiving.

do you notice how the 997 wheels make the car look so much lower because theyre tucked into the fender... 997's have a wider track, so they'll have a higher offset.. so you have to run spacers if running 997 wheels on a 996.

 

Will try to get new pics tomorrow.


My heights measured from the floor to the wheel arch:

Fr Passenger: 62.5cm
Fr Driver. : 62.5
R. Passenger: 66
R Drivers. : 65.5


Thanks

Bobby Ali

ba

 

If I may. The anwser is yes, you need a alignment. Why? you are using your suspension out of spec by having it lowered. Why you ask? well the rack to wheel carrier pick up. the tie rod is angled now and any movement changes your toe. aka bumpsteer. If I remember right I think the front fender should be 1/2 inch lower then the rear. The rear is even worse as you lower the car. On the rear I used solid mounts that moved my sub frames almost 1/2 closer to the frame. so my rear is a 1/2 lower without effecting the geometry.

 

I'm not one to argue with those who have much experience (Tim )... 1cm = .393701 inches. Is that small amount really enough to require a change in camber? Don't tires wear at least that much too?

 

Assuming the car was aligned when you had the suspension put on I don't think raising it 1 cm will change the settings enough to have any effect. I raised mine one cm in the front and 1.5 cm in the back and didn't notice any problems and there has not been any change in tire wear. The car steers straight, the steering wheel is still straight, no noise etc. It feels exactly the same as before I raised it.

 

My $0.02, if you're happy with the way the car feels, then you don't "have" to do anything.

 

It's not much, but I completely disagree with the statement that if it "feels" okay, then you don't need to do anything.

It may feel okay, but you may get excessive tire wear. A little change in toe won't "feel" bad, but it can sure chew up the inside edge of a tire.

Later, Steve

 

if you still decide to raise the car, YES, you absolutely will need an alignment.
theres not much travel on the suspension of a lowered TT.
lets say thers 2 inches of travel. half an inch is 25% of that travel.
right off the bat you will have added understeer because rasing the car will automatically decrees front camber. The more you raise the front, the more the front will raise on acceleration.
does that make sense ?
lets say the tire is right where the fender is, and you slam the gas, the front will raise 3/4" of a inch.
now, lets say you raise the car to be 1cm above that. so, the fender is now 1cm higher than the fender, when you slam the gas, the car will raise 1 inch instead of 3/4" of an inch because the static balance of the car has changed.

does that make sense ?
its hard for me to type these things out because im a visual person. i can see it in my mind but its hard to explain it writing.

so, long story short, you probably just need spacers. if youre gonna raise the car at all, then yes, align it.

Also,absolutely no need to corner balance your car.

post pics for us so we can better help.

you can get a gt2 spec alignment at a National Tire Brand store for about $150.

 

so do i! it can feel great while you get 3k miles on a set of $1000.00 rears lol