Sportline Eibach Kit + 2011 MAZDA3 Alignment question??

Hey Gang,

I lowered my car beginning of this summer with the sportlines and wasn't smart by getting an alignment (shame on me, i know :bang).

My question is... Can my 3 be properly aligned with the stock control arms that are already there, or do i need to buy new control arms that are adjustable?


I'm just about through my second set of tires due to uneven tire wear and debating on putting the car back on the stock springs to get it ready for winter... buying the control arms this winter then have them re installed next summer...

Any thoughts? suggestions, or general crabbiness?

Thanks in advance

Quote:

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Originally Posted by provizion

Hey Gang,

I lowered my car beginning of this summer with the sportlines and wasn't smart by getting an alignment (shame on me, i know :bang).

My question is... Can my 3 be properly aligned with the stock control arms that are already there, or do i need to buy new control arms that are adjustable?


I'm just about through my second set of tires due to uneven tire wear and debating on putting the car back on the stock springs to get it ready for winter... buying the control arms this winter then have them re installed next summer...

Any thoughts? suggestions, or general crabbiness?

Thanks in advance

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Sportlines is generally too low of a drop for stock cambers arms to deal with. BUT sometimes, the stock ones are miraculously able to deal with them. Don't ask me how.
It's not 100% the camber's fault for your tire wear, it's mostly the toe's fault.
Don't put the stock springs back in, because you'll need an alignment after that too.

Here are your options (assuming you will be buying tires)
1) Tires + Alignment + Hope for the best = Not my recommendation
2) Tires + Stock height + Alignment + Drop + Alignment = Definitely not my recommendation
3) Tires + Camber arms + Alignment = My recommendation

Consider it a learning experience, I did the same thing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hyperion

Sportlines is generally too low of a drop for stock cambers arms to deal with. BUT sometimes, the stock ones are miraculously able to deal with them. Don't ask me how.
It's not 100% the camber's fault for your tire wear, it's mostly the toe's fault.
Don't put the stock springs back in, because you'll need an alignment after that too.

Here are your options (assuming you will be buying tires)
1) Tires + Alignment + Hope for the best = Not my recommendation
2) Tires + Stock height + Alignment + Drop + Alignment = Definitely not my recommendation
3) Tires + Camber arms + Alignment = My recommendation

Consider it a learning experience, I did the same thing.

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+1 camber arms fixed my uneven tire wear, you can probably get 2 arms done at altech with an alignment for about 3 bills.

Just to clarify, you'd need adjustable camber arms not control arms. They're two different things, thought I'd mention it so you don't accidentally buy the wrong parts.

Before you do anything, you should ask yourself, do I know if it is the front or rear suspension that's causing my tire wear, or both? Camber arms are only for the rear, the front suspension has limited camber adjustability.

I would have your alignment checked first before buying anything. Not much point in buying camber arms for the rear if the front camber is way out of spec.

Get your alignment checked, see what needs adjustment and how much it needs to be adjusted, then decide what to do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wes08M3

Just to clarify, you'd need adjustable camber arms not control arms. They're two different things, thought I'd mention it so you don't accidentally buy the wrong parts.

Before you do anything, you should ask yourself, do I know if it is the front or rear suspension that's causing my tire wear, or both? Camber arms are only for the rear, the front suspension has limited camber adjustability.

I would have your alignment checked first before buying anything. Not much point in buying camber arms for the rear if the front camber is way out of spec.

Get your alignment checked, see what needs adjustment and how much it needs to be adjusted, then decide what to do.

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This + don't say "I need my alignment checked" so they can charge you an inspection fee and a fee for the alignment itself. Go in, say you need an alignment done, they'll tell you it's 70-100 bucks and call you if anything weird pops up. At this point, they'll notice your tires are worn unevenly, and will tell you something weird has popped up. If they think it's related to the way the rear of your car is sitting, they'll tell you to install camber arms, and also tell you it will cost around 300 dollars. Good luck!

^^ A dealership I used to work for did "alignment checks" for $20. If you went ahead with the alignment, the $20 fee was waived. I'm sure there's places that offer a service like this.

If not then I'm sure you can get an alignment done like you said. They'll adjust the toe and be able to see the camber specs. And if you have to come back to have the camber adjusted, I'm sure the place would do it again for a good price.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wes08M3

^^ A dealership I used to work for did "alignment checks" for $20. If you went ahead with the alignment, the $20 fee was waived. I'm sure there's places that offer a service like this.

If not then I'm sure you can get an alignment done like you said. They'll adjust the toe and be able to see the camber specs. And if you have to come back to have the camber adjusted, I'm sure the place would do it again for a good price.

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IDK that's just how I approached it because I know not every place will waive inspection fees (ie canadian tire). I went to altech and said it like this, then it went how I mentioned it, lol, prices are quoted roughly based on my experience there as well.

when I dropped mine on coils (bout 1.5 inch) and got the alignment done at altech they said my toe was off and fixed it and my camber was also off spec by a little bit. I decided not to get the camber kit cause of the high cost lol he said my tires should be ok now that he adjusted the toe

u should normally get your alignment done 1 or 2 weeks after