About the alignment after a spring/shock upgrade..

[RaceMyLS1]

Next week, I am getting shocks, lowering springs, an adjustable panhard bar, and a new set of tires (on stock rims) installed all at once by a custom shop. The car goes in at 9AM, and I'm not sure how long it will take.. What if it's late and I can't take it to an alignment shop that same night? Will I hurt anything by driving the car home (25 min. drive)?

How long should it take for a shop to install shocks,springs, and a panhard?

Also, do alignment shops mess with adjustable panhard bars? The guy at the customs shop said he will get the rear centered as much as possible, but the alignment shops should be able to get it right on the dot..

Any thoughts?

[9T8W66]

I drove mine for a week before I got the alignment so you should be fine.
The factory alignment settings call for positive camber but putting on drop springs will alter it to negative which is better for handling anyway.
heres a link with good Suspension info including alignmemt settings.
http://www.angelfire.com/my/fastcar/suspension.html

[Eugenio_SS]

no problem driving the car... just remember that the car is not properly aligned... so the steering might be a bit off or the car pulling to a side.
Just do an alignment as soon as you can.

Also make sure that when aligning the car not to use the stock camber specs.
the castor + toe are fine... but try to get a bit of negative camber.... for better wear and cornering grip.

[mrr23]

Also, do alignment shops mess with adjustable panhard bars? The guy at the customs shop said he will get the rear centered as much as possible, but the alignment shops should be able to get it right on the dot..

Any thoughts?

the rear centering is more of a visual thing. you're looking to get the tires the same distance away from the outer fenderwell.

[0verkill]

no problem driving the car... just remember that the car is not properly aligned... so the steering might be a bit off or the car pulling to a side.
Just do an alignment as soon as you can.

Also make sure that when aligning the car not to use the stock camber specs.
the castor + toe are fine... but try to get a bit of negative camber.... for better wear and cornering grip.

what specs should we tell the shop to but it at?

[mrr23]

-0.50 camber both
+4.30 caster left
+4.50 caster right
+0.06 total toe

[RaceMyLS1]

-0.50 camber both
+4.30 caster left
+4.50 caster right
+0.06 total toe

So I should write these specs down and take it to the alignment shop and they will do that set-up for me?

[Eugenio_SS]

or get inside the car while they align it and ask for +4.5' castor.