Changing rear springs at track
Discussion
Running a devorced spring/damper setup on the car. It sits on the lower arm that is used to adjust toe. To change the rear spring I simple just undo the hub side of this lower arm, let it drop down and swap in the new one. I'm wondering is this going to throw out my rear alignment? Not a fan of doing my own alignments, takes time unless you have to expensive equipment and Ive made in accurate readings previously.
It's a 2008 golf, a pretty common indepent suspension with devorced spring setup like you see on many hatchbacks with independent rear suspension.
It's a 2008 golf, a pretty common indepent suspension with devorced spring setup like you see on many hatchbacks with independent rear suspension.
Ah thats not ideal as if I want to test balance with rear springs changing the rear tracking could give false results.
In my head... If the arm used to adjust camber stays connected and just the toe arm is lowered on the side that simply connects to the hub then when you re-connect it, the eccentric toe bolt has not moved so should match up exactly as it was and the alignment should be exactly the same providing the ride height has not changed.
In my head... If the arm used to adjust camber stays connected and just the toe arm is lowered on the side that simply connects to the hub then when you re-connect it, the eccentric toe bolt has not moved so should match up exactly as it was and the alignment should be exactly the same providing the ride height has not changed.
Yes, it will change your alignment. The new spring rate will create a different amount of sag and will change the behaviour through the suspension’s travel.
To what degree the alignment changes will depend on the difference in spring rates. I always seem to notice minor changes in suspension geometry.
To what degree the alignment changes will depend on the difference in spring rates. I always seem to notice minor changes in suspension geometry.
LactoseJoe said:
Yes, it will change your alignment. The new spring rate will create a different amount of sag and will change the behaviour through the suspension’s travel.
To what degree the alignment changes will depend on the difference in spring rates. I always seem to notice minor changes in suspension geometry.
Yes you're right, but if measure the length of the damper on the old spring with all wheels on the ground, put in the new spring, measure the damper again and adjust ride height so it's exactly the same then won't it stay the same? As we've compensated for the amount of sag and ensuring ride height is exactly the same? To what degree the alignment changes will depend on the difference in spring rates. I always seem to notice minor changes in suspension geometry.
Maybe you’ll be alright. But I know I wouldn’t be able to get it perfect with the measurements, especially when accounting for differentiation in the ground level and load on the bushes after jacking the car up. It all might be quite minute and have zero impact on how the car tracks but it’ll be very difficult gauge. I wouldn’t bother but it’s just me; some of my friends are so anal about it they get alignments when they swap their tyres, others will happily fudge a new tie rod onto the car, eyeball it and get back on track.
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