im gonna lower my 85 ta, i got 53000 miles, im gonna get and adj panhard bar , adj lower control arms, lca brakets, and the pro kit springs. This is the correct way to lower my car from what i have gathered, my question , i will need a front end allignment , but will my front tires be angled in . what i mean is if you look at the car from the front the top of the tire will be in farther than the bottom, will this happen or will this be fixed by a front end alligment.

 

you will be fine with that equipment and an alignment.

no worries.

-Schultzy

 

If I understand you, you are talking about the front having excessive negative camber. A good alignment guy will fix that for you when you get the car aligned. Some negative camber is okay, actually desired for aggressive handling.

 

Is there a point where just a front end alignment won't cut it and you have to compentate with something else to get the geometry right?

 

thanks i feel better now

 

I don't understand what you are asking. Sorry, try to restate or be more specific.

 

I think he is asking if there is a point at which the factory adjustments in the front are inadequate

 

I believe Baer sells a bump steer kit.

 

Thats a good question. My car is barely lowered so I don't know. I bet one of these gurus around here does...

 

That is exactly what I'm asking. Anyone know?

 

I remember reading that if you go lower then 1.5 inches you need an alignment kit, eibach sells them and some other companies

 

reall the biggest thing to worry about up there is the bump steer problem, the baer kit is nice, there are probably others out there.

 

Forgive my ignorance, but can you explain exactly what bump steer is?

 

basicly to keep the front wheels tracking right when you hit a bump, or compress a spring under corning, the angle that the tie rod is at changes, and thus changin the the direction the wheel is tracking. to fix this, you can get tie rod ends that have an adjustable spacer on the A-arm connector, so that when the car is lowered, and the angle of the a-arm changes, you can adjust the position of the tie rod, and return it to the proper angle.

 

Thanks, makes sense. Lets say I lower my can an inch. Would I need a bumpsteer kit or would an alignment just correct this? Is there an actual point when you need the kit? Sorry, I am more of an engine man than a suspension man so I'm partly dumb when it comes to suspension, lol.

 

there is no set rule, anytime you change something in your suspension, you change the geometry, the real question is, how low is you car, and does the bump steer you have bother you. some guys on here could slam their cars 2 1/2", but because of they way their car is used, never complain, or worry about bump stop.

then there are those of us who would notice the change when we lower our cars 3/4". the rate of the springs also plays a role in it, if your suspension is so stiff, that you don't ahve much spring compression, the bump steer is alot less, because the angle change on the tie rod is much less under normal cornering and bump forces.

 

i've got another question. im the one on this board thats putting a chrysler 8 3/4 in my 85 trans am . I want to lower my car and my grandfather is bitching cause it will change the pinion angle, i know lots of you guys have do this with out changing the tourque arm . Im gonna change the lcas to adjustable one and then panhard bar to an adjustable one and then lca relocators and then of course the springs. I only want to do all of this at once because the rear end will be out and it will be easier to do stuff. I also cant easily change the torque arm b/c mine has to be shortened. So i cant change the torque arm to an adjustable one unless i spend 350 and then cut it. so . i need some help and advice , on this.

 

a assume that since you are shortening you TA, it is because you are getting a diffrent tranny. you could try to reposistion the torque arm mount to return the pinion angle to where it should be.

 

im shortening the torque arm because the chrysler rear end , the torque arm mount on the rear end has to be moved foreward as compared to stock because of the shame of the third member. check my pictures on my web page.

 

What is your question? With a 8 3/4 chrysler rear, you are going to have to be setting the pinion angle(as well as other stuff), when you somehow fab up a mount for the torque arm.

A thirdgen has plenty of alignment adjustment stock. Lower it then decide if the bump steer is a problem. With stiff drop springs it usually isn't a big issue.