[Focused]

In the quest to find my desired suspension setup, I'm considering getting the H&R coilover kit over fixed height suspension setups, simply because I like having the ability to play with different heights and setups.

I'm wondering though, and this might be a newb question, but does adjusting between different heights affect the alignment, mainly camber I'm assuming, significantly? Is it ever the case where drastically changing the height (from very low to relatively very high) calls for a re-alignment?

 

[BadIdea]

Yes you will need an alignment but it's mainly the toe you are concerned with.

 

[Nliiitend1]

every adjustment you make with a coilover setup changes your alignment.

 

[sexy2002svt]

Yeah, basically any adjustment you make to your suspension, it is suggested that you get an alignment........

 

[DisrupTer911]

and corner weighting.

just b/c the sides look even, doesn't mean they are.

and adjusting the height changes the spring rate, so you need to corner weight C/O suspensions to make things safe and balanced.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Small changes in ride height won't have appreciable affects on the alignment. As someone else suggested, check or keep an eye on the toe. If the changes are large, then it's a good idea to check the alignment again.

and corner weighting.

just b/c the sides look even, doesn't mean they are.

Measuring vertically from the hub center to the fender lip with the car on a level surface is a good way to set things initially. If you're not concerned about corner weights (that's pretty fine tuning), setting ride heights works pretty well.

and adjusting the height changes the spring rate, so you need to corner weight C/O suspensions to make things safe and balanced.

How does changing the ride height affect the spring rate?

 

[DisrupTer911]

b/c changing the height changes how much travel and force is acting upon the spring and making them stiffer if there is less travel.

 

[Cameroon]

The length of the spring doesn't change when adjusting coilovers so the rate stays the same. All you are doing is moving the spring perch relative to the damper (front) or adjuster equiped perch (rear).

 

[DisrupTer911]

yeah, but your shortening the travel and that makes things stiffer.

 

[Slartibartfast]

yeah, but your shortening the travel and that makes things stiffer.

The rate of the spring doesn't change with ride height. That's determined by the material and structure of the spring (e.g., number of turns, etc.).

The amount of force being applied by the spring can change a bit, which is what setting corner weights is all about. That's quite different than changing the spring rate, though.

 

[Hot_SVT]

so when setting up the ride height, is it best to make the car level at whatever height or to have an even amount of fender gap at all corners? There is an "other" option too. This isnt my area of mastery. Let me know.

 

[DisrupTer911]

you could count the thread on each corner.

but you really wana get it done with scales so you can get the balance front to rear set right with your height adjustments