Lowering Problem

[Talk2meGOOSE]

I have just recently installed the Tein H-tech Lowering Springs

First off, I am in love with car's new visual stance, drive ability, and feel and would buy these spings again- as well as recommend them to others.

After installing the springs, I did an alignment on it. The Toe was out on the fronts and rears. The front was easily adjusted. But as for the rears, there is no way to adjust the alignment there.


Top of it is about 3/4" or so in and I don't want improper wear on my tires.


It didn't mess the Camber or Caster up at all and the Toe was easily fixed. It was the same deal in the back, except I can't fix it with a wrench.

The problem is not the springs. It is the offset of my wheels (I know) and the car.

I am not getting rid of my wheels.

I spoke with a very seasoned and wise Master Tech at work and showed him the problem. His input was that the entire brake assembly needs to be spaced out.
I had proposed the spacers idea and he said that wasn't going to fix the Toe problem.

Does anybody know of such a kit for this car, as well as who makes/sells it?

Any EDUCATED input would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
GOOSE

[kenoshainflames]

there is no kits out that will fix toe in the rear. the offset of the wheel would not change your toe. its the change in the geometry from lowering the car. the only way would be shims or someother kit that would bolt behind the brake assembly.

[Koala Yummies]

Originally Posted by Talk2meGOOSE

The Toe was out on the fronts and rears. The front was easily adjusted. But as for the rears, there is no way to adjust the alignment there.

Yes, there is no rear toe adjusting capability on the CR-Z.

Originally Posted by Talk2meGOOSE

It didn't mess the Camber or Caster up at all and the Toe was easily fixed. It was the same deal in the back, except I can't fix it with a wrench.

The problem is not the springs. It is the offset of my wheels (I know) and the car.
Any EDUCATED input would be much appreciated.

Here's an educated question: How are the wheels, affecting the toe? Changing out the wheels, would not effect the toe angle. The angle of toe is dictated by the angle of the wheel-hub assembly (which in the case of the rear suspension, is one solid piece with the rear torsion beam/rear axle).

Are your wheels "staggered" in size? Are they the same exact size front and rear?

From the Helm:

"Rear Toe Inspection:

Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment.

1. Release parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.

2. Check the toe.
Rear toe-in: 3mm (+2/-3mm) [0.12 in (+0.08/-0.12 in)]

* If the measurement is within the specifications, go to the front toe inspection.

* If the measurement is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components."

Originally Posted by Talk2meGOOSE

Does anybody know of such a kit for this car, as well as who makes/sells it?

For rear toe adjustment? Nope. The rear hubs are solid, not-un-boltable, they cannot be removed from the rear axle/torsion beam. The only way to get (any) adjustment (camber, caster, toe) out of the rear axle, at this point, is to cut, bend and re-weld the hubs on the rear axle. It would be completely custom, extremely time consuming, expensive and require a custom fabricator with their own alignment rack among many other things.

[TinTin]

yeah you COULD take the whole thing out and shim the bearing. I could have done that if i cared, but i didn't. I still have a bit of a toe on my rears and ran it like that this summer, no real extra wear or any issues were had.

Also im lowered much more than the Htechs would. so i would assume your alignment wouldn't be as out of whack as mine.

It shouldn't be a problem.

[Talk2meGOOSE]

I'll do some more research on it still of course, but thanks guys.
Guess I'll just rotate the tires when the time comes...

[human668]

hum... so if I bring my car to dealer and pay $80 for an alignment, what they really do will just be adjusting front toe?

[kenoshainflames]

Originally Posted by human668

hum... so if I bring my car to dealer and pay $80 for an alignment, what they really do will just be adjusting front toe?

depends on what you want them to change. the front can be adjusted like normal, just not the rear.

[sohcsol]

The front toe is the only thing an alignment shop adjusts 99.999% of the time on any vehicle, because it takes literally 5 minutes to do and is very easy. I was able to adjust mine within 0.5 degrees visually, lining up the rim front to back. I do this when messing with ride height and camber, then once I get it set where I want ill go into the shop one time to zero out the toe more accurately.

You can tell if its off by the way the car handles pretty easily.

With the rear axle and hub being solid on our cars, I dont believe lowering will affect your rear alignment in any way, not camber or toe. It all just goes up and down with the axle.

[Talk2meGOOSE]

I discovered that the mechanic that mentioned wheel offset, didn't know what he was talking about now ^.^
And the certified master technician and me took a wheel off, brake off, hub off, etc. to look, and yes sohcsol is right. The hub is solid.

The master technician informed me that without MAJOR customization to my rear suspension set up (welding etc.) there is no way to fix the problem.

Meaning that no kit either behind the brakes or spacers is going to fix the Toe problem I have in the back now. Though, just rotating the tires like usual and keeping an eye on your tread depth will prevent it from becoming a dangerous blow-out issue.

[sleighman]

What wheel size and offset are you running along with tire size?