Notices
Brakes & Suspension 350Z stoppers, coils, shocks/dampers

Suspension 101

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-21-2016, 09:18 PM
  #1021  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,638
Received 2,284 Likes on 1,646 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 350Z.
i have a simple question. I read everything in the beginning about what we need to lower our Z, but in some part i want to know what is the benefits of them?
1- I have 19' wheels with 225-35 front tires and 265-30 rear tires
2- I have coilovers and I dropped around 2 inches all around
3- Recently, I bought Rear SPC Camber kit

The question is what is the benefits of that Rear SPC Camber as well you mention to have a camber kit in front and rear. I got the rear but I want to understand why should i put them .
Note*: I am interested in drifting and I want to make my car daily/ drift car. not crazy about drifting just lil sliding and fun.


I got Coilovers
Straight and to the point, with the level of drop you have, you will not achieve an alignment setting that will not destroy your tires without the rear kit.
Old 02-26-2016, 09:07 AM
  #1022  
sauer420
New Member
 
sauer420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Northwest Arizona
Posts: 75
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Rear toe-in on stock suspension

I took my car in for an alignment yesterday and my rear toe is out of spec. My Z is running stock suspension with no drop, as I am trying to put my money towards seat time rather than upgrades. The technician told me I need front UCAs, rear camber arms, and the rear toe bolts to get the alignment in spec. He obviously wasn’t paying much attention since I already have adjustable front UCA’s (just recently installed, which would explain why my front camber is out of spec). I'm running stock wheels and stock tire sizes. I’m not too worried about the camber at this point, just the rear toe-in.
1) Any idea what bad bushing or part might cause this amount of inconsistency in the rear toe? Camber arm bushings, shock mount bushings, endlinks? In what manner do bad endlinks affect the alignment (camber, caster or toe?
2) If my right camber arm bushing is indeed bad, then could I buy SPL camber arms for my stock suspension and still make the same toe adjustments using the OEM eccentric bolts? I will be upgrading the suspension down the road and hate to buy new OEM arms, but I don't want to buy the pricey SPL Pro Midlinks at this time nor do I want to use the crappy SPC bolts that won't stay in place.

Here is my previous and my new alignment results:




Edit: I took this to a Nissan dealer and they corrected the rear toe without a problem. The tech at 'Tire Warehouse' just didn't know how or didn't care to fix the rear alignment. I still need to fix the front caster though (not sure how to do this with the Z1 adjustable front UCAs).

Last edited by sauer420; 03-11-2016 at 02:10 PM.
Old 03-04-2016, 07:44 AM
  #1023  
RyankPeck
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
RyankPeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Watertown CT
Posts: 178
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

If you have all stock suspension arms then there should be no problem getting it to spec. But looking at those numbers probably means you have a bent camber arm on the right rear. As you increase negative rear camber on Z's they naturally get toe in. So since you have toe and and excessive negative camber it most likely means you need a camber arm. That's where I'd start since they're cheap. Adjusting rear camber and toe on Z's becomes very expensive if you want something specific because you can't just get adjustable camber arms. You'd need them along with SPL adjustable mid links and most likely adjustable traction arms.
Old 03-04-2016, 10:12 AM
  #1024  
sauer420
New Member
 
sauer420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Northwest Arizona
Posts: 75
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RyankPeck
If you have all stock suspension arms then there should be no problem getting it to spec. But looking at those numbers probably means you have a bent camber arm on the right rear. As you increase negative rear camber on Z's they naturally get toe in. So since you have toe and and excessive negative camber it most likely means you need a camber arm. That's where I'd start since they're cheap. Adjusting rear camber and toe on Z's becomes very expensive if you want something specific because you can't just get adjustable camber arms. You'd need them along with SPL adjustable mid links and most likely adjustable traction arms.
Thanks for the tip. I just measured my camber arms and they are exactly the same length on both sides, so I don't think the right one is bent. While I was under there though, I noticed the right side eccentric bolt appears to be sunk way low while the left side is up high, so perhaps the solution is simply needing an alignment tech who isn't lazy and will actually attempt to make adjustments. I can see lines from when the eccentric used to be higher. Unfortunately I don't know of a good alignment shop nearby, so I will have to take my car to a Nissan dealer in spite of their horrible reviews and just hope for the best.

Last edited by sauer420; 03-11-2016 at 02:00 PM.
Old 03-14-2016, 06:05 PM
  #1025  
cincysilvias14
Registered User
 
cincysilvias14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 250
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

ok so let me get this strait, with true coilovers i wont need to get the toe bolts? I planned to get upper control arms and rear camber arms. what else do i need to get rid of the oem bucket?
Old 03-14-2016, 07:09 PM
  #1026  
JasonZ-YA
350Z-holic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (60)
 
JasonZ-YA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio/I miss DFW, TX
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cincysilvias14
ok so let me get this strait, with true coilovers i wont need to get the toe bolts? I planned to get upper control arms and rear camber arms. what else do i need to get rid of the oem bucket?
With true coilovers the coil bucket is left empty...so...

So, you can replace the coil bucket with a rear toe arm. This will be used to adjust toe.

Then you do still need a rear camber arm. To adjust camber.

Next it's highly recommended to buy two sets of lockout washers for each of the 2 noted above arms and toss the oem eccentric washers.

J
The following 2 users liked this post by JasonZ-YA:
cincysilvias14 (03-19-2016), terrasmak (03-14-2016)
Old 05-03-2016, 04:20 PM
  #1027  
sixfiveoh
Registered User
 
sixfiveoh's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hi Jason, was hoping you could shed some light on a few points for me as you're clearly the man with the answers here. I read your first few posts in this thread before taking on my suspension project and have to say, kudos on the excellent writeup, but I have hit some hiccups.

I installed BC BR Coilovers/SPC A Arms/SPC Rear Camber and Toe Bolts over the weekend. Didn't bother adjusting anything as I knew I'd be going straight to an alignment shop.

Unfortunately, realized after the install that I had been shipped coilovers with the wrong spring rates, 14/12k when I ordered 10/8k. I have BC DR coilovers with these springrates on the way, but I went to get an alignment as to not shred through any tire in the meantime.

I knew this was an issue, and I saw it first hand when installing, but there is no way to adjust the SPC A arms with the wheels on. The bolt on top of the balljoint is impossible to get to. Even raising the car up provides not enough room to work with. What have others done in this situation aside from paying for tons of labor $$$ to drop and reassemble the suspension on the rack? I'm thinking maybe some sort of angled box wrench, or removing fenders before going back? I'm pulling the current coilovers and replacing so anything I can do to "guesstimate" the right amount of camber while the suspension is out would be great.

Additionally, my caster looks to be out of spec, but the tech said it looks "good" so long as it's equal. Are these specs fine when lowered, or should I pull the A Arms all together and make some caster adjustments as well?

Suspension 101-vyvwbbt.jpg

Suspension 101-aogdu1bh.jpg

Thank you to any help you or others can provide!
Old 05-03-2016, 08:04 PM
  #1028  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,638
Received 2,284 Likes on 1,646 Posts
Default

What version of the control arms do you have, should be simple to dial out the castor
Old 05-03-2016, 08:20 PM
  #1029  
sixfiveoh
Registered User
 
sixfiveoh's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have the adjust from the top version - model 72125

http://www.spcalignment.com/instruct...25-INS_WEB.pdf

Should I just pull them off and adjust to the -1.5* position on each? Or could there be some poor bushing play contributing as well?
Old 05-03-2016, 09:53 PM
  #1030  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,638
Received 2,284 Likes on 1,646 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by sixfiveoh
I have the adjust from the top version - model 72125

http://www.spcalignment.com/instruct...25-INS_WEB.pdf

Should I just pull them off and adjust to the -1.5* position on each? Or could there be some poor bushing play contributing as well?
Where are they set at now?

Then if you are looking for better handling, I would have it aligned to 350z or even G coupe specs.
Old 05-04-2016, 09:46 AM
  #1031  
rottingcat
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
rottingcat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: California
Posts: 123
Received 14 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

For the prevailing torque nuts...where can I buy a set of zinc coated ones online?
Im on this website but I'm not too sure what I should be getting.. the 1/2 inch?
https://www.boltdepot.com/Prevailing...e_C_steel.aspx

And if it's easier what local places should I go to to look for these? I live in SoCal.
It's kinda difficult to really describe what I'm looking for to people lol
Old 05-04-2016, 01:05 PM
  #1032  
JasonZ-YA
350Z-holic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (60)
 
JasonZ-YA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio/I miss DFW, TX
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

Fastenal sells them as "top lock" bolts, other sites note them as "stover" nuts.

nothing on the Z is US thread, its all metric, so if your talking rear toe bolts and stuff, then its M12-1.25

check before you buy.

-J
The following users liked this post:
RobPhoboS (05-04-2016)
Old 05-04-2016, 05:06 PM
  #1033  
sixfiveoh
Registered User
 
sixfiveoh's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by terrasmak
Where are they set at now?

Then if you are looking for better handling, I would have it aligned to 350z or even G coupe specs.
They're set at 0 now.

Does anyone have any advice on adjusting the A arms on the car? I feel like this has to be a common issue with our cars. At this point I'm resorting to driving to the alignment shop with fenders removed. I guess I can have the caster adjusted by the tech at that point as well.
Old 05-10-2016, 11:56 PM
  #1034  
bigpow
Registered User
 
bigpow's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: California
Posts: 73
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I went through the first page several times and still couldn't grasp the gist of it.
I'm supposed to bring my car into this local shop to get wheels & tires and lowering springs, and now the shop is asking me which shocks to put on my 08 roadster.
I paid the 20% deposit money and it's too late to cancel the order now, otherwise I'd find a more knowledgable shop.

Any how, could any one please assist me on getting my 08 roadster lowered modestly, less than an inch, to prevent any need of additional parts.
I'm looking at Tein S-Tech and Eiback Pro-kit, and not sure which one to get?

Thanks!
Old 05-11-2016, 03:12 AM
  #1035  
travlee
Master
iTrader: (8)
 
travlee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 48,607
Received 9,047 Likes on 6,513 Posts
Default

prokit
The following 2 users liked this post by travlee:
bigpow (05-11-2016), F2CMaDMaXX (05-11-2016)
Old 05-21-2016, 08:30 AM
  #1036  
dboyzalter
6 inch cawk is my fave!
iTrader: (3)
 
dboyzalter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Mass
Posts: 6,557
Received 972 Likes on 759 Posts
Default

Man wish I had read first couple pages long ago lol... So basically the only adjustable parts of the suspension from the factory are the stupid eccentric bolt on the coil buckets and the front tie rods lol... Guess I should just save my alignment money and set my suspension back to factory hight till I buy some adjustable pieces.
Old 05-21-2016, 01:24 PM
  #1037  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,638
Received 2,284 Likes on 1,646 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by dboyzalter
Man wish I had read first couple pages long ago lol... So basically the only adjustable parts of the suspension from the factory are the stupid eccentric bolt on the coil buckets and the front tie rods lol... Guess I should just save my alignment money and set my suspension back to factory hight till I buy some adjustable pieces.
Eccentrics are on the bucket and camber arm in the rear, and obviously front tie rods. Depending on how low you go in the rear, it can be adjusted out
Old 06-01-2016, 04:08 AM
  #1038  
George's350z
New Member
 
George's350z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 36
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Spc toe bolt / camber arm bolt

I have a question about dremeling to elongate the whole where the spc toe bolt goes into on the spring bucket. I understand during install that is needed. But do i have to dremel the whole where the bolt goes on the camber arm as well? I ordered Eibach pro alighnment rear camber arms and they come with the camber bolt. Do i need to dremel to location for the camber bolt and the toe bolt? Sorry if this has been discussed already. I couldnt find anything about it.

From the picture below im referring too bolt 55226pa for the toe bolt and 55226p for the camber bolt.



Old 06-01-2016, 03:57 PM
  #1039  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,638
Received 2,284 Likes on 1,646 Posts
Default

55226pa is the only location you would elongate
Old 07-05-2016, 04:39 PM
  #1040  
ThatZGuy
Registered User
 
ThatZGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 16
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Hello Everybody, Ive got a few questions. Ive got Tein street basic coilovers yet to be installed. Im going to leave them at maximum height of -.3" in the front and -.4" in the back from stock shocks. Do i need a Coilover kit for these or will the stock coilovers be able to be adjusted and aligned to these. Also are these OEM style coilovers? Should i return them and spend another 200-300 bucks on a higher quality Coilover set that has adjustable settings? I am looking for ride quality this is my daily driver and I do occasion hill climbs with this car.


Quick Reply: Suspension 101



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:36 AM.