Should I Buy CC Plates After Spring Installation?

[98GTBlkConv]

Hey all! A week ago, before going on vacation, I finally had some gears and KB subframes installed in my 1998 GT vert. While at the shop, I had the guy install some Steeda Sport springs to lower the car. He informed me that they were not able to get the front end alignment back to a setting of 1 (i am guessing this is degree). He said they were able to get the alignment back to 1.5, which he said was close (both sides are at 1.5). He suggested I purchase CC plates to get the alignment back to where it should be. Is this good advice, or is he just trying to sell me CC plates and installation? Also, will the tires wear out much faster if they are castered out by this much? I am running BF Goodrich Pilot's and do not want them to wear prematurely for a bad alignment. Thanks!

 

[Teen'93stang5.0]

youll never get correct alignment ater a spring install without CC plates, should have done them at the same time IMO

i have the MAC ones on my car and they worked just fine, im set at -1* caster and -1* camber IIRC

 

[downsouthman1]

How much did you drop you car? You should be fine w/out plates if you dropped it < 1.5 inches. If you dropped > 2 inches you'll most def need plates. Even @ 1.5 inches it couldn't hut to have the caster/camber plates.

 

[98GTBlkConv]

How much did you drop you car? You should be fine w/out plates if you dropped it < 1.5 inches. If you dropped > 2 inches you'll most def need plates. Even @ 1.5 inches it couldn't hut to have the caster/camber plates.

I think he dropped it the "normal" distance of around 1". We didn't go radical or anything. It looks great, but I don't want to tear up my rubber for nothing! I will probably have the CC plates installed just to make sure.

 

[98GTBlkConv]

youll never get correct alignment ater a spring install without CC plates, should have done them at the same time IMO

i have the MAC ones on my car and they worked just fine, im set at -1* caster and -1* camber IIRC

Thanks for the reply. I will probably go ahead with the CC plates just to make sure. I love the way the car is riding, but am sure I will also need to do the shocks/struts too. More money!

 

[4.6_02_Black_GT]

just have the CC plates on hand and when you change your struts out just put them in. Remember the MM CC plates have 4 holes so have a couple good drill bits on hand, to punch out that 4th hole.

 

[stang9300]

With a drop of about an inch on these cars, the stock adjustments will only let you get about -1.5 degrees. You really need CC plates in order to get it down to around 3/4 or 1 degree negative depending on your preference. As far as it wearing out your tires, it shouldn't wear them too bad as long as you get the CC plates on, and it aligned pretty soon.

 

[PDubs]

1.5" is the general rule of the thumb. Go beyond that, and you'll need 'em.

 

[Betrayer00GT]

I put Steeda Sports in myself and got the car aligned a week and a half later.

The shop had no problem aligning the car.

I suspect that this shop is taking you for a ride. Just my suspicious nature, tho.

 

[stang9300]

I doubt that the shop is taking him for a ride I put in some FRPP-C springs the other day which is supposed to drop the front of the car 1.2". I checked the Caster/Camber on it and tried to set it, but the stock adjustments just let me pull it out to -1.5 degrees and it should be set a little closer to 0. The alignment manual for these cars calls for no more than -5/8 degrees. But most would rather closer to -1 degree.

 

[huesmann]

You might wanna investigate a bumpsteer kit as well.

 

[StngStr]

My alignment was dead on after installing Eibach Pro-Kit. Lowered it exactly 1.5 all the way around.

 

[BlkNShiny03]

I didn't measure my stock ride height before installing Steeda sport springs. If in fact there was 4 inches, I now measure 2 inches between the tire and the fender lip. The springs are rated for a 1.25 inch drop. How is the 2 inch drop possible? This is on a stock 2003 GT. Springs were my first mod. I also have an obvious camber problem, and the alighnment shop said that they could not get it close to -.5 deg. with the stock upper strut mount. Now I'm waiting to recieve my UPR c/c plates to get the camber right. But looking at the geometry, I think I'll also need rack offset bushings.

 

[Brisk281GT]

I have always been told that you don't need plates with a 1.5in drop but after I put all stuff on my car (struts, shocks) it does need plates because it can't be properly alligned without them. Mine was only supposed to drop an inch and a half but I am pretty sure it's more with all the other stuff I added.

 

[98GTBlkConv]

You might wanna investigate a bumpsteer kit as well.

Thanks, and excuse my ignorance, but what is a bumpsteer kit?

 

[jeff1414]

youll never get correct alignment ater a spring install without CC plates, should have done them at the same time IMO

i have the MAC ones on my car and they worked just fine, im set at -1* caster and -1* camber IIRC

Same here I went with mac cc plates and they have worked great and they were cheap

 

[4.6_02_Black_GT]

98GT

Steeda Bumpster kit corrects an issue that effects SOME(read not all) lowered stangs. Basically your wheels moves up and down and travels through arc as you go over bumps and dips in the road. Your steering rack also move up and down in an arc with your wheels. Well when lowering your stang you change the factory gemotry...the wheel and steering rack now move in slightly different arcs. When under heavy suspension load this difference in arcs between the wheels and steering rack induces a slight amount of over steer. The bump steer kits allow you get the arc of the steering rack and wheels back in sync. Although on a street driven car bumpsteer is typically not an issue. In some cases for an auto x stang the additional steering input is helpful.

..click my sig..I have pics of the Steeda kits..when you see it it will be more clear what it does.