What to do before an alignment

[Weslsew]

Somehow my front end got out of alignment as my driver tire wore hard on the outside. I'm going to upgrade to mm urethane or solid steering rack bushings. Is there anything else I should replace or upgrade before going in for an alignment? Car is lowered about 1.5-2" and has steeda cc plates.

Also, are there any recommended or ideal alignment settings for the cobra?

 

[4601S/C]

If they're original, I would consider struts/shocks, but that would be a big jump in total cost. Bilstein can rebuild your current ones, or you can upgrade.

 

[JuStAkId]

bumpsteer kit. Either mm, steeda, qa1, upr etc

 

[Weslsew]

Looked into the bump steer kit, getting that set up sounds quite complicated and time consuming. I doubt any shops around me would even know what a bump steer kit is, so I'll study up on that and tackle it next time. The car has no issues with bump steer that I can notice so I'm happy with it for now. Stock struts are still in good shape. Thanks for the tips!

 

[94slowbra1]

since your lowered id look at steeda x2 ball joints

 

[04TorchedSVT]

What difference will the steeda ball joints make over stock?

 

[BlksvtCobra01]

What difference will the steeda ball joints make over stock?

I do not run them but if I remember correctly they have a longer shaft and help so the a-arms aren't at a angle and stay parallel after lowering a car.

 

[94slowbra1]

They help bring everything back into spec on lowered cars. Go to steedas website, they have a good explanation of how they work

 

[04TorchedSVT]

Fixed below

 

[04TorchedSVT]

I do not run them but if I remember correctly they have a longer shaft and help so the a-arms aren't at a angle and stay parallel after lowering a car.

What is your set up?

 

[BlksvtCobra01]

What is your set up?

H&R Race Springs, all ISO's in place, MM CC Plates, MM rack bushings, MOOG outer tie rods, as well as MM diff bushings. Eventually I would like to do there bump steer kit, and the Steeda ball joints.

 

[04TorchedSVT]

H&R Race Springs, all ISO's in place, MM CC Plates, MM rack bushings, MOOG outer tie rods, as well as MM diff bushings. Eventually I would like to do there bump steer kit, and the Steeda ball joints.

Since I'm going to be replacing steering components I'm thinking about going ahead and doing steeda ball joints and tie rod ends but I'm unsure of an alignment shop that could align the bumpsteer kit properly.

 

[BlksvtCobra01]

Since I'm going to be replacing steering components I'm thinking about going ahead and doing steeda ball joints and tie rod ends but I'm unsure of an alignment shop that could align the bumpsteer kit properly.

That is the reason I didn't buy the bump steer kit as well. I may in the future if I ask around and a shop can. A friend of mine just ordered the bump steer kit so I'll be curious to see who does his alignment.

 

[01yellercobra]

If you're not having bumpsteer problems now I wouldn't bother with it. It takes time to set it up correctly. I have a kit waiting to go on and I'm debating about installing it. Since you have the MM plates I'd double check the torque on the nuts after the shop is done. I had one place align my car and when I got home over half of the nuts were only finger tight.

 

[04TorchedSVT]

Has anyone looked into the off set rack bushings? I have seen good reviews about them.

 

[Jkay98]

The bump steer kit is basically an upgraded tie rod link. The adjust-ability of the bump steer comes into play with the spacers moving the tie rod up and down.
I would think most manufacturers have a neutral setting which would equate to a stock setting. That way if you dont want/know how to adjust the bump steer you can leave it neutral and still get your car aligned.
I installed the FTBR deluxe bumpsteer kit but have yet to get my car aligned. I am thinking about getting the steering rack bushings before I get it aligned.

 

[jrgoffin]

The X-2 ball joints are well worth it - they correct the roll steer that is induced when the car is lowered. There is a bunch of info on them here:

http://www.terminator-cobra.com/suspension.htm

Also, the bump-steer correction process is well worth it - the whole package will bring the handling to a new level. Details on that along with good alignment specs:

http://www.terminator-cobra.com/chassis & steering.htm

 

[Weslsew]

The reason I skipped the bumpsteer kit was that it looked too complicated to set up, and I don't know of anyone that could help me. And as far as I know, I don't have any issue with bumpsteer.

As to the x2 balljoints, It looks like those lower the car because they push the lca down from the spindle? Or am I looking at it wrong? My front height is perfect and I don't want to mess with it right now

 

[01yellercobra]

The reason I skipped the bumpsteer kit was that it looked too complicated to set up, and I don't know of anyone that could help me. And as far as I know, I don't have any issue with bumpsteer.

As to the x2 balljoints, It looks like those lower the car because they push the lca down from the spindle? Or am I looking at it wrong? My front height is perfect and I don't want to mess with it right now

They should come with spacers to make up the difference.

 

[04TorchedSVT]

The reason I skipped the bumpsteer kit was that it looked too complicated to set up, and I don't know of anyone that could help me. And as far as I know, I don't have any issue with bumpsteer.

As to the x2 balljoints, It looks like those lower the car because they push the lca down from the spindle? Or am I looking at it wrong? My front height is perfect and I don't want to mess with it right now

They do lower the car down and you have to install aluminum spring spacers that come with them to keep the current height. Which I would not want a spacer on top of my spring. Also from what I have read you really need the bumpsteer kit after installing those because it causes excessive bump steer.