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advice please: camber kits

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Old Jul 29, 2003 | 07:43 PM
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Default advice please: camber kits

I have a Track that had the Nismo S-tune suspension fitted by the dealer when I bought it in May and it supposedly had a wheel alignment done at the time. The S-tune is only said to be a 20mm drop - haven't measured it yet but looks like maybe 10-15mm.

I just had a set of 19" rims fitted and there is very noticeable negative camber in the rear left wheel (especially when compared to the right). Have called Heasmans and they said they could do an alignement but didn't think there was any adjustment in the rear, while K-Mac said they have a rear camber kit available that could fix it.

Have read the various threads on alignment etc, but still not sure. Would appreciate any comments inc any experience with camber kits.

Thanks,
B.
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Old Jul 29, 2003 | 08:18 PM
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Are you sure there isn't a bent tie rod or something?

It seems odd to have only one side, make one think your car bumped something...

Have it looked at by Nissan first, if it's visible they will have to fix it.
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Old Jul 29, 2003 | 08:39 PM
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The rear suspension has concentric adjustment for both camber & toe but the most neg camber you will get in the rear is about 2deg.
K-Macs kit replaces the inner bush with an offset urathane bush which will allow more adjustment.
K-Mac is in the process of making a fully adjustabe front upper A arm which is a must for track work. I beleive they will be ready soon.
Heasemans do a good job or if your in the Eastern Suburbs our workshop can do it
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Old Jul 29, 2003 | 09:19 PM
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yo man.. don't get the camber kit first....

I had the same problem and got that fixed already last week, the left hand side looks sooo much different from the right hand side... it is the toe problem, as you adjust the toe, you will fix that!

The toe before the alignment were:

L : 0.5
R : 1.1

and after the alignment, they set that all to 1.1 which is pretty good I feel... so go check it out, it isn't the camber problem, it was the toe...

cheers,

richie
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Old Jul 29, 2003 | 10:20 PM
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I've got to see your car dixonbn, 19s and S tune. What else do you have?

Anyway take it to somewhere other than a dealer to get an alignment. Mine was out by a huge (albeit same on both sides) amount in the rear.

Nathan, you should post the address or at least name of your shop so we know where to go. Oh and check your PMs when you get a chance.
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Old Jul 30, 2003 | 07:47 PM
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Thanks all for your comments - much appreciated. Have booked into Heasmans for alignment tomorrow - will try this first before buying anything else.

Apsilon, just have the s-tune and 19's so far. Are you going to make it to the run on Sunday? If not will hopefully be some pictures that can be posted.
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Old Jul 30, 2003 | 09:02 PM
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Sunday is still up in the air for me at this stage. I proably won't know until Sunday morning but if I can make it I will. I'm sure this won't be my only chance to take a look. The S-tune is next on my list and it'd be interesting to see the amount of drop in person.
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Old Jul 31, 2003 | 04:49 AM
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Forgot to tell you guys....

I was told by Nissan dealer that once you have done the wheel alignment, you will need to go into the dealership to reset the steering sensor for the VDC, else the VDC will not operate properly! I was told by the nissan service manager and it was written on the alignment spec. sheet that I asked him to telefax to me! The reset will cost roughly around 16 dollars and about half an hour to get it done...

cheers,

richie
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Old Jul 31, 2003 | 07:26 PM
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BS
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Old Jul 31, 2003 | 08:37 PM
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To elaborate, there's nothing in my copy of the workshop manual about this needing to be done after a wheel alignement. I also haven't noticed the VDC acting any more strangely than usual since my alignment.
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Old Jul 31, 2003 | 09:13 PM
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Apsilon, this will likely be my one and only Sydney run because am moving to Melbourne soon but will try and remember to take some measurements of the s-tune height compared to stock height and post them.
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Old Jul 31, 2003 | 09:21 PM
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That's OK, I'm going to do the S-tune anyway. It just would've been nice to see it up front. I might still make Sunday yet anyway, some of my work from Sat has been cancelled.
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Old Jul 31, 2003 | 10:13 PM
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Originally posted by apsilon
To elaborate, there's nothing in my copy of the workshop manual about this needing to be done after a wheel alignement. I also haven't noticed the VDC acting any more strangely than usual since my alignment.
You might need to contact the dealer as I was told by the service manager... Then they also carried out the steering sensor reset for me last Saturday morning right after I have done the alignment!

btw aps, where did you get the workshop manual?

Thanks for your help!

cheers,

richie
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Old Jul 31, 2003 | 10:43 PM
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You can buy the manual from Nissan parts but it's a few hundred $$$. Well worth it if you're going to do any work on your own car. It's the book they use to work on the car so if it's not in there I'd like to know where they're getting it from.
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Old Oct 21, 2003 | 12:23 AM
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dixonbn

What the feedback on the S-Tune supension now you've had it awhile, any problems with the VDC on the Track model as Nismo have'nt cerified it for the that model yet?? I'm wanting to upgrade mine soon and was tossing between Tein or Nismo S-Tune what your thoughts.

Thanks David
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Old Oct 21, 2003 | 02:40 AM
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Make sure before you put a camber kit on the car you understand what happens to the warranty.

Nissan officially will void your warranty on anything to do with the suspension. I have this confirmed by two dealers.

Also right or wrong, they mention that wheel alignment should be done through them as mentioned earlier to reset VDC on the track model. From what I have seen, there is not valid reason for this but you know what they are like so make your own mind up.

I certainly wont follow that but just passing the info!

Mike
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Old Oct 21, 2003 | 04:36 PM
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Have found the S-tune to be very good. It makes the ride noticeably harsher than the standard Track, though I also now have 19's and 35 profile tyres so mine's probably about as harsh as you can get but I don't have a problem.

Main positives are that I immediately noticed it considerably improves turn in response over standard, and sits even flatter during cornering.

The springs are claimmed to lower the car 20mm, but like some guys in the US I think it is probably more like about 10mm. With the wider 19s on it fills out the guards quite well but the guard does not sit as low as the Eibach's or get down onto the top of the tyre like some other kits. Having said that I have had no problems with clearance under the car or inside the guards.

No problems with the VDC so far, and like all the reviews posted in the US I don't have any negative feedback really.

I bought the kit through the dealer as part of the package when I bought the car, and had them fit it and do a wheel alignment. Most dealers weren't intersted in the Nismo gear (probably due to laziness), and unlike the S15 the Nismo is not officially available through dealers. I did have some comments re vioding warranty, however the dealer I used in Brisbane that also fitted the Nismo suspension to my S15 said that whilst the gear is not backed by Nissan Aust as the S15 was, like any other part Nissan may only refuse a warranty claim if a defect can be shown to be the direct result of the replacement part. I think this will be very unlikely, and I purposely paid a small premium to have the dealer supply and fit it to partly address any concerns in the future.

As for a camber kit, the negative camber is quite noticeable especially now with the 19's on, but I took it to Heasmans in Sydney before moving down to Melbourne and the alignment done by the dealer was just inside parameters. Heasmans showed me that they were able to fully adjust the camber and set it exactly at the mid point of the parameters supplied by Nissan. It is still quite noticeable but do not want to play around with it for the time being, though do expect some inside tyre wear. Probably will have it checked again by Trutrack here in Melbourne once I hit 10,000km.

To sum up absolutely no complaints and works very well. If however your main goal is lowest ride height then you need to look elsewhere. Also, when I sold my S15 the Nismo suspension seemed to have widespread appeal - though for no other reason than being Nismo - particularly (dare I say it) to more mature buyers who did not want a "hoons car".
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Old Oct 21, 2003 | 06:54 PM
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dixonbn

Thanks for the review, did you also fit the Nismo sway bars.

Now your in Melbourne any chance of catching up and maybe seeing the car in person.

David
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Old Oct 21, 2003 | 07:02 PM
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David,

Yes also fitted the sway bars.

Would be good to catch up - maybe in a few weeks ... am still looking for a permanent place to live and have a uni exam coming up (yes, foolishly study p/t).

I'll pm you the start of the week after next.

Brett.
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