I've been seeing alot of posts about "will I be able to return my alignment specs after (XXX brand) spring install?
I just got my Hotchkis springs installed and got some interesting numbers on the alignment. The alignment was done on a Hunter digital alignment rack. Keep in mind the before is with the springs already installed, (I don't know what the stock specs originally were). I'll post them up like they're listed on the print out:

Front Axle:
Before / After

Caster
L8.2 / L8.1
R8.5 / R8.4

Camber
L-1.4 / L-1.7
R-2.1 / R-2.3 <--OUCH!!

Toe Total
-1 1/16" / +1/16" (never knew toe was measured in inches)

SAI
L5.5 / N/M I have no idea what SAI is..do you guys?
R5.2 / N/M and why there's no after reading??

Included
Angle
L4.1 / N/M I have no idea what Included Angle is either??
R3.0 / N/M

So on my front wheels by adjusting the toe the camber got worse. So it looks like I'll be buying a set of kinetix front A arms. But how could the toe be off by one full inch?? Good thing i had the alignment done quickly.

Rear Axle:
Before / After

Camber
L-2.7 / L-2.0
R-2.0 / R-1.7

Toe Total
+1/4" / +1/16"

Thrust Angle
0.0 / -0.0

Rear wheels look somewhat OK, but still more camber than I want. I'll probably get the SPC toe/camber bolts that are like $30 bucks per wheel if they'll give me enough adjustment.


I guess I'm trying to get to about -1 degree or less camber front and rear because I don't track my car at all yet and I'm trying to maximize tire life, but still keep the car handling good on the thruway entrances/exits! Is that a good camber to shoot for? I'm just learning about this stuff so please correct me if the products I want to get to fix this are wrong, or what camber specs are good for my application.

The feel of the car after the alignment is very good, with exception of steering wheel return at slow speeds. I think this is because the entire contact patch of the inner wheel in a turn is on the ground while the outer wheel is only on the inside edge, thus pulling the steering wheel into the turn.

Also the rain driving is SCARY. I'm on 19" Volk GT-7 with 255/35 and 275/35 Michelin Pilot Sports with about 50% tread life. It was mediocre before the spring install/alignment, but has gotten very ugly i'm guessing because of too much neg. camber.

So in my particular car Hotchkis springs DO NOT allow alignment to be pulled back to Nissan alignment specs like alot of people say. Some people I'm sure have acceptable numbers after the install, but due to murphy's law I would never tell anyone they don't need a camber kit with these springs or just about any other lowering springs. It seems there's no easy way out!!

 

my results were similar with alignment after the hotchkies spring install. i was hoping it was just the place i went to sucked and i was planning on going to another place.

 

I too have the Hotchkis springs and sways. I have had mine on for 2 weeks now. I never got an alignment done after install, but my car feels fine. Corners well, drives down the highway strait and has no tire noise. I will get an alignment as soon as I put my 19" Volks gt7 in about 4 weeks. I will post my results when I get them. BEN

 

I wouldnt worry too much about negative camber because camber doesnt kill your tires.... camber just makes them wear unevenly. Toe is what eats up rubber.... so I think you should be concerned about that more then the camber.

 

this is true, I may wait till next year to get the camber kits because I'm thinking about going Eibach next year, then I'll need them more.