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Topic: Spring swap question........ (Read 1564 times) previous topic - next topic

Spring swap question........

If I swap my front springs to new ones for about a 1 1/2 to 2 inch drop,do I have to have a new front end alignment?
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Spring swap question........

Reply #1 –
Any time you change anything in the front suspension, you need an alignment.
It's Gumby's fault.

Spring swap question........

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Tbird232ci;235224
Any time you change anything in the front suspension, you need an alignment.

Why would a alignment be required if all you're doing is restoring original(lower) ride height???

Spring swap question........

Reply #3 –
My Sport still has the original springs up front and there's about 3 1/2 inches (maybe 4) between the fender and the tire.If it needs an alignment,I'll let it ride high.I'm not spending that kind of cash just to set the car down a little.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Spring swap question........

Reply #4 –
Fellas, after I put the TC struts, spindles, and brakes on mine, I played with the camber myself, put roughly 250-275 miles on it before the 3.8 tossed a rod, and there was no noticeable tire wear...but then, all that woulda been affected was camber only...
But then again, if I was driving it everyday, I woulda went for an alignment too.

May be different in Vinnie's case...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Spring swap question........

Reply #5 –
I aligned mine in the garage. You definitely have to realign as the tie rods are at an angle after lowering (increased tow-in). I stood under my car in the pit and used a tape-measure to measure the toe (back measurement - front). I adjusted the tie rods in such a way as to get the correct toe while still keeping the steering wheel straight - takes a little extra time, but I can't stand when the wheel isn't perfectly aligned when I am going straight. I then checked the camber by setting one of those 24" plastic woodworkers ruler that has the bubble levels built it. Set it vertically next to the wheel (car has to be on a level surface) and while the bubble was centered measure the distance at bottom of wheel and top, then did a little trig to calculate the angle. I know there is a technique for caster, but since I couldn't adjust it anyway, I didn't attempt it. Tires are wearing perfectly @ 500+ miles since putting the new 17x9 wheels & tires on.
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.

Spring swap question........

Reply #6 –
I just had the toe in set Thursday.I think I'll just live with the way the car's height is for now.It's not hurting anything,and I really need to get the Sport painted.My wife Gayle said she wants it painted before Christmas.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Spring swap question........

Reply #7 –
Finish the body and paint. You'll always be swapping something the rest of your life anyway. LOL
as long as you have the big stuff finished, paint that baby and get it over and done with.
If I were you, I'd paint. Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now, Paint it now.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

Spring swap question........

Reply #8 –
I'm working on it !!!! I have to swap on the new dopors and fenders,finish sanding,add the Dynomat,and I should be ready.OH !!!!,I want to repaint under the hood first as well.THEN,I'm ready.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Spring swap question........

Reply #9 –
are you taking the trim off the doors again to paint?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

Spring swap question........

Reply #10 –
I'll take the trim off for paint more than likely.I want new paint everywhere I can get it.I'm not spending a fortune for paint,but I want it to look nice and "right".
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..
 

Spring swap question........

Reply #11 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;235287
My wife Gayle said she wants it painted before Christmas.


You are one lucky man!!