I just had S-Techs installed last night. Love the drop.
(Thanks Jim and Streetimage, Great price and fast install)

I know i'm going to need alignment, but camber + toe arms?
First of all, i have a vague idea of what these things are, and i'm guessing i'm going to need them because the stock arms aren't meant for the current (or lower) height adjustment.

Please fill me this noob in on your suspension knowledge.

I need to know if i should get the camber+toe arms installed first and then get an alignment... or vice versa.

Thanks all!!!

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT
Premium w/Navi
Clear Corners
JDM Badges
NISMO Grounding Kit
(more...)

 

If you want to spend the money now, then get the camber and toe arms then an alignment. But the only thing that would hurt you by aligning now and waiting for the camber and toe arms is just uneven tire wear and worse handling under extreme conditions. However, in the grand scheme of things, while your camber and toe is out of spec, your car will handle worse and get uneven and faster tire wear. Do some reading on suspension tuning and see if you can find illustrations that will teach you what camber and toe arms do, why you need them, and everything that is changed and needs to be tuned once you lower your car. All in all it is pretty complicated. A suspension setup can make or break the handling of your car.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT | OB/Black
Premium | Aero | Splash Guards | XM
Z Tube | Pop Charger
Helix Test Pipes
Unorthodox Crank Pulley
Injen SES
DC Sports Headers

 

"toe arms" haha. You two guys sound JUST LIKE ME about 2 months ago... [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Technically it is camber arms and toe bolts (unless I'm still mistaken)... I'd say get the camber arms and toe bolts first. This way you can install them yourself and just have the alignment place fix your vehicle.

UNLESS... you can find an alignment place that will offer you a 1-year alignment warranty. I would tell them what you're planning on doing, aligning the car to see if you're lucky enough to be within spec, and if not, you'll be installing additional camber/toe adjustment. If they will work with you, do the alignment first. If they will not offer another free alignment should you need one, (and you most likely will) do the arms and bolts first.

No need to pay for 2 alignments if you don't have to... (like I will end up doing - doh!)

 

My mistake, thanks for the correction. Some cars do use the same threaded rod end style toe arms though.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT | OB/Black
Premium | Aero | Splash Guards | XM
Z Tube | Pop Charger
Helix Test Pipes
Unorthodox Crank Pulley
Injen SES
DC Sports Headers

 

I would get the camber correction rod before taking her into
the alignment shop. I did 2 alignments in a week because
I didn't like how the factory camber adjustment was so
limited and could not fix the -2.5 camber.

You'll probably want to invest in swaybars too, the rear
s-techs are just too darn soft. You can shake your car
with your one finger...rocking the car on the side windows.

2004 G35C 6MT Brilliant Silver
S-Tech front / Pro-kit rear / Stillen Camber Rods

 

SteveAreno, I was actually laughing more at myself than you. Hope that was apparent in my post... I've been researching camber correction for about 2 months now and am still not 100% sure I've got everything down...

 

Yeah I get it. You should get a suspension and chassis engineering book. It will tell you 100 times more than you could ever learn searching posts.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT | OB/Black
Premium | Aero | Splash Guards | XM
Z Tube | Pop Charger
Helix Test Pipes
Unorthodox Crank Pulley
Injen SES
DC Sports Headers

 

Well, i did have Hotchkis Anti-Sway bars installed before the S-Techs.

I'm going to take the car in for alignment next week.

We'll see how off it is first. Then i'll take it from there.

Camber Arm, Toe Bolt. I'll be saying it that way before i fall asleep. Get it embedded in my head.

Love this site. It's helped me learn so much not just about the G but cars in general.

Thanks to everyone. I owe everyone that contributes boba.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT
Premium w/Navi
Clear Corners
JDM Badges
NISMO Grounding Kit
(more...)

 

if you add power, be careful you don't negate that softness, though. they are desinged that way for performance reasons. for example - if you go f/i, you'll want the softer spring (or shock/coilover setting), because it help keeps the rear wheels on the ground for added traction.

i agree with your recommendation to add the adjustable sways to compensate for this for everyday spirited driving and handling. i just wanted to clarify the intent for a softer spring. there are lowering springs that increase the spring rate, and some that lower it - that's why coilovers are becoming more popular - the ability to raise/lower and stiffen/loosen the springs. it's personal preference.

-just my 2 cents.

 

I wouldnt even bother getting alignment til you get some thing to adjust your camber & toe, a cheap and good alternative is the SPC Camber & Toe bolts they'll run you about $90.00 for both sets. these bolts adjusted camber and toe about (-3 / +3) degrees.

 

is there a big difference between getting the SPC camber/toe bolts for $90 and getting the SPC camber arm and toe bolt for $219 besides being able to adjust the camber one more degree with the arm?

i just want to know why one would buy one over the other....

thanks!

 

I took it in and they looked at it.

Way off.

The fronts combined were at -2.5
The rears combined were at -3.5

Looks like i'll be looking to get adjustable camber arms and toe bolts.
For BOTH front and rear.

Now onto the next quest.
Which ones to buy? Any suggestions (besides the SPC camber/toe bolt)
Where do i get these?

Also... i'm probably going to get the alignment done after my new rims go on the car. (Probably end of this month)

Thanks again everyone!