Doing Pedders 1" drop in front, 1/2" drop in rear... what's needed for alignment?

[MEAN GTO]

I'm getting ready to do some 18" Drift R's and I'm going to swap out my factory springs for Pedders springs to drop the car down some. As the title says, I'm looking to do a 1" drop up front, and a 1/2" drop in the rear. My current suspension is 100% stock with the exception of drag bags in the rear coils.

The inside of my front tires is worn down pretty badly, and I'm not sure if it's simply because the toe is out, or if the front strut mounts are shot. With the new wheel and tire setup I want to get my alignment as perfect as possible so that my tires (at least my front ones) last.

I don't want to go spending money on all kinds of bushings and stuff that I don't really need for the suspension, because my budget is somewhat tight right now with the wheels and tires, methanol injection, and having to do a roll cage. So unless it's really needed for me alignment I don't really want to go buying it just yet. For example, the rear diff bushing.... I surely could use a one but my current one is fine so I'll wait until I have extra cash again for something like that.

So what all other parts am I going to need to get my alignment dialed in after these wheels/tires and springs are installed? I'm sure the stock suspension won't handle the camber and toe adjustments needed for all of this, but after doing some searching earlier this morning I couldn't really find a good description of what all needs to be done. A list of the exact parts (and maybe even part #'s or links) would be great!!

Much thanks,
Andrew Grayson

[purplenurple]

You'll want new struts and strut mounts for the front.

[MEAN GTO]

New struts??????? Why new struts????????????

[purplenurple]

With that much drop, you'll be bouncing around because the new stiffer springs will be doing all the work. I mean you can just swap springs, but you probably regret it.

[MEAN GTO]

Well now that it's not my daily driver again anymore I think I'd try the springs on the factory struts and see how that goes. Then I'll just do struts all the way around later when I can afford it if the ride is bad.

But more importantly for now I need to know what I'm going to need to get this thing aligned correctly. I know the new strut mounts for the front will help, but I'm pretty sure that's not all that I need to get the front and rear where it needs to be. What else do I need?? Thanks!

[purplenurple]

Technically, you dont really need anything. Its more of what you want to get better performance out of the suspension. 1/2in drop shouldnt really mess with the camber in the back, since most GTOs sag more than 1/2inch. I would do strut mounts, front struts, and maybe x-member bushings in the back to help with fitmet of the 10s in the rear.

[thedak]

1" Drop Fronts
1/2" Drop Rears
Strut Mounts
Strut Bearings
TTY Strut Bolts
RR Bushings
Alignment

Bare Minimum, IMO

[MEAN GTO]

Cool thanks very much for the break-down. So out of curiosity, why do you recommend front and rear radius rod bushings?

[purplenurple]

Cool thanks very much for the break-down. So out of curiosity, why do you recommend front and rear radius rod bushings?

They are pretty much a must for any GTO, since the stock ones fail quickly and are crap even when new. Its not something thats specific to you, or lowering the car.

[1stGOAT]

Cool thanks very much for the break-down. So out of curiosity, why do you recommend front and rear radius rod bushings?


Getting the car aligned while on a rack is only part of the problem. The other is keeping it aligned when under hard driving conditions, the Radius Rod bushing are notoriously poor and contribute to alignment issues and the Pedders bushes do the job and give you much more control under hard braking.

If you are lowering the rear you will also need a set of rear eccentric camber bushings as the GTO does not have any adjustment for camber in the rear.

Having done it..... lowering on stock struts and shocks is pretty much something I would never do again. Best to put the whole kit on there.... of course you probably need to find out for yourself and end up paying for 2 installation instead of one like I did.

[MEAN GTO]

Thanks for your explanations on those bushings fellas. Sounds like something that NEEDS to be done to me. I'll add the rear camber bushings to the list as well.

I have my daily driver back on the road, so the GTO won't get a whole lot of driving anymore. I'll install the springs, mounts, bushings, etc. all on my own and if I decide I don't like the ride bad enough then I will take care of the struts/shocks and other recommended bushings later. I did the Intrax springs, Tokico struts, lower control arm bushings, strut tension rod bushings, sway bar end links and bushings, etc. on my Taurus SHO a couple of years back so I won't have a problem tackling the GTO. I won't have any pinch bolts that need to be heavily soaked in PB Blast, heated with MAPP gas, and twisted out with a 24" breaker bar on this car since it's not old and rusted like the Taurus haha. So everything should almost be a piece of cake.

[thedak]

I have 1/2" Drop Rears.

No need for eccentrics.

Rear is still within Pedders Specs.

[MEAN GTO]

Hmmm... where do you find Pedders' specs for the camber in the rear? That's kind of surprising that with that kind of a drop the rear is still within spec. I know this is a different car, but I did a 3/4" drop all the way around on my Taurus and I needed to go adding adjustable rear control arms and needed to bust the welds on the strut tower plate to allow for more camber adjustment on the front.... and for the front that still wasn't enough.

I would definitely like to bring the specs that Pedders has to whatever alignment shop I go to so if one of you all can point that out to me that'd be great! Thanks again!