Front End Alignment

[Flathead]

I got my 07 GT a month ago and am ready to do my first mod. I am going to install Eibach pro kit this weekend. My question for you guys that have done this is:
1) Did you take the car in to have the front end re-aligned after the install?
2) can any tire shop re-align it or does it take more advanced skill?
3) If I measure the toe in before and after the install and it does not change am I good to go or is that just wishfull thinking on my part?
4) does the attitude of the car change enough that the headlight need to be aligned?

Thanks for your input.

 

[anthony05gt]

You will have to realign the front end. I dropped mine 3/4" and the camber is barely in the safe range. We had to loosen the 4 bolts at the top of the strut towers so the struts could be slanted more to get the camber in. Some guys have been drilling the strut tower holes out a bit larger to maintain the correct angle. I believe you can buy camber plates for these cars that allow full adjustment. Try Steeda. If the car is dropped evenly all the way around, you won't have to worry about the headlights, but I think your kit will drop the rear a bit more than the front. Just pull up to a wall and adjust them down a bit yourself by eye.

 

[mustangmike6996]

the toe should not change..if it does not much at all. as far as caster and camber you will have to have it re-aligned for sure. if you do not want to elongate the factory holes in the strut tower you can get caster camber plates or get a camber adjusting bolt. these bolt kits replace one strut mounting bolt on each side. these are a common replacement part for many new cars to get a good alignment. you can be in the tolerance "safe zone" and still have a tire wearing issue or a pull, so this kit will allow you to be on the perfered number "exact". as long as the car is dropped evenly the headlights will not be affected

as far as the shops that can do it... anywhere is fine. definatly go to a shop with a digital photo aligner. hunter is the better brand out there in case you were wondering

 

[jlisle01]

Do a thread search for this topic. You will find that this issue has come up before. However:
1) Yes, take the car in for realignment after doing anything major to the front suspension. Alignments are much cheaper than tires.
2) There is NO factory adjustment for caster or camber on the S197. Some guys with the Eibach Pro-kit springs have been content with the alignment after the drop but to do it right you will need the Eibach camber bolt set. By the way, there are no caster/camber plates for the new cars as the strut tower does not have enough room to move the struts around inside them.
3) Just wishful thinking.
4) I noticed no problems with the headlights and have never heard of anyone else having problems either.

 

[mustangdaren]

I just had mine lowered with the Eibach Pro-kit about a week ago. I purchased the Eibach camber bolt kit from Summit Racing for $22 to get the alignment in spec. That was a lot cheaper than going with the Steeda camber adjusters. I love the ride and look and it drives so much smoother than my second Mustang that has the Sportline kit on it.

 

[Flathead]

Thanks for the info.

I did order the adjustment bolts last night from Summit. When I checked what Summit listed for cars that it fit it did not include Mustangs, only Chevys and Buicks. I check the part number 3 times and took a chance.

I plan on installing this weekend.

 

[mustangdaren]

I did the same thing with the part number. I got the number off of Eibach's website and then used it to order the part from Summit due to it did not list it as for a Mustang.

 

[gp001]

I had mine aligned after I first lowered it (Eibach Pro Kit) and last week after I changed to the FRPP struts/shocks. Both times my alignment guy was able to align it without camber bolts, then again the shop that aligns my car is better than most.