Suspension Springs, Shocks, Brakes

Bump stop cutting, Alignments, Camber kits for Lowering Springs

Old 03-06-2009, 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by JsavageSS/TC
So if I put on the Pro sportline lowering springs do I need to have it aligned and adjusted?
Oh boy.

Okay, first, do you have Prokits, or Sportlines? Because there are no Pro sportlines. Second. If you read the very first post of the thread, it says you should always get an alignment when you do springs. Yes, there are lots of people that don't. That doesn't mean they shouldn't have.
Old 03-06-2009, 05:46 PM
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prokits......

I guess I should have read the first post I work tooooo much, don't want to work to find stuff out
Old 03-08-2009, 02:46 PM
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No problem.
Old 03-18-2009, 03:10 PM
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It seems a have a bit of negative camber in the front. now i read what you posted and there may be some suspension damage? If so, how would I go about getting that fixed. Also I know this may be off topic but when im driving on the high way and Im going around 60mph I get some vibration but just below and higher than 60 I have no issue.
Old 03-19-2009, 11:39 AM
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Vibration is a result of either off balance wheels or warped rotors, but probably not alignment.

As for the camber, a typical GM shop with alignment capability does have the ability to make corrections. For camber specifically, you can use camber bolts, or cut slots in the strut.
Old 03-19-2009, 01:31 PM
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At my school we have an alignment machine so would I be able to just do it myself? And as far as rotors go I machined them once at school so maybe I should try balancing my rims and see what happends.
Old 03-21-2009, 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Halfcent
To help with the increasing number of repeating threads asking about lowering spring installations, here is a new sticky!

I would like people to post the ACTUAL instructions they recieve with their springs when they buy them. If you don't have instructions, then only post a cut amount if you can back it up with manufacturer data.

You should NEVER cut your bump stops on your car unless your springs instructions specifically tell you to. You should ABSOLUTELY NEVER just remove the stops completely.

An alignment is REQUIRED after a spring installation. On the Delta platform cars, the front struts are not adjustable. You can't change the camber without cutting slots in your struts. Therefor, you do NOT need an alignment kit. However, you will need to adjust your toe, which is done via the steering tie rods. If during your alignment you find your camber is out of tolerance, that is an indication of a bigger problem, probably suspension damage.

I'll start. Here are the instructions for the Eibach Pro-Kit:


Here was my alignment data:
good advice the instructions you show do not say cut the bump stops for the cobalt, its shows how to cut a typical bump stop.
Old 03-21-2009, 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by qwikredline
good advice the instructions you show do not say cut the bump stops for the cobalt, its shows how to cut a typical bump stop.
That's only for the Pro-Kit
Old 04-24-2009, 02:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Ryan88924
At my school we have an alignment machine so would I be able to just do it myself? And as far as rotors go I machined them once at school so maybe I should try balancing my rims and see what happends.
Yeah if you understand what your doing its fairly ez to do yourself. Although toe is the only factory adjustable angle. If your camber is out of spec you'll need camber bolts to adjust the front, and camber shims for the rear ( which are a pain in the butt to install). If your caster is out of spec its due to a bent part that needs replacement. But all in all you should only have to work with camber n toe, and those r ez to adjust, jus make sure to torque down all bolts to spec torque. O n def check the balance on ur wheels, that'll cause vibration but itll b at all speeds, with an increase in severity of vibration with an increase in speed.
Old 05-28-2009, 01:51 PM
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Subscribed....good good thread....

Originally Posted by tsunam1
SSC springs on mine, came with ZERO instructions, I didn't cut any of the bump stops and it hits hard on good bumps so I may have to cut some. I also only pulled 6 bolts to replace my springs in the front, the 3 on top of the strut the 2 on the knuckle and the sway bar end link, so not sure why I would require an alignment as I didn't adjust the tie-rods at all, the distance didn't change, just the height. It drives straight as an arrow, and tire wear is even. I upgraded the rear shocks to the stiffer Fe5's and the bounce is gone. I will most likely have it aligned with this years inspection as I will have tires rotated at the same time oil change and all that, but hardly feel it is necessary. I also rarely drive it so maybe thats some of it I don't know, but I assumed if I didn't remove anything adjustable than everything should stay the same.
Hey are the springs marked...I.E for front and rear also top and bottom?


Anybody know if the tire rotation spec is every 3000 miles for any lowering spring set or just for Eibach?

Last edited by CobaltSSilver; 05-28-2009 at 01:51 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Old 05-28-2009, 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason_42003
On def check the balance on ur wheels, that'll cause vibration but itll b at all speeds, with an increase in severity of vibration with an increase in speed.
Or just take a page from the offroaders and throw about 4 oz of plastic BB's in the tire when you mount it and after about 50 miles they will be perfectly balanced.
Originally Posted by CobaltSSilver
Anybody know if the tire rotation spec is every 3000 miles for any lowering spring set or just for Eibach?
rotation spec is claimed for every car reguardless of suspension, aslong as your allignment is good you can let it slip a little. It is all about tire life man.
Old 05-29-2009, 07:08 AM
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Every 3000 miles even stock? I've always done mine every 6000 regardless of car/truck type.... I will keep an eye on the tires then.
Old 05-29-2009, 04:29 PM
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Well with a good alignment you dont really need to but when i bought my balt I didnt do it and that resulted in the rear tires needing replaced in 6k miles. For some reason the dealership "aligned" it and put so many shims at the bottom of the rear hub it was 5 degrees negitive camber.
Old 05-29-2009, 04:49 PM
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You really only have to rotate on a consistent schedule, not a specific one. Meaning, you don't have to rotate every 3000. But if you do, you should keep doing it every 3000. I do it every other oil change, just like it says to do in the owners manual.
Old 05-29-2009, 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Halfcent
You really only have to rotate on a consistent schedule, not a specific one. Meaning, you don't have to rotate every 3000. But if you do, you should keep doing it every 3000. I do it every other oil change, just like it says to do in the owners manual.
Ya that is roughly what I do every 6000 miles. Just noticed it in the Eibach instructions and it stood out.

Thanks for the info folks!
Old 06-11-2009, 11:26 PM
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i took my front struts to a shop to have them switch out the springs but they didnt cut the bump stops? i cut the rear so should i have them cut the front or am i ok?
Old 06-11-2009, 11:27 PM
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you shouldn't have cut anything.
Old 06-11-2009, 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by campo165
I am not sure about the alignment thing. I havent gotten an alignment yet (lowered the car 1 week ago) and at low speeds, when accelerating through 0-20, the sterring wheel shakes pretty badly, I would love to know what is causing this. any suggestions?
swaybar endlink, just had that problem and replaced mine yesterday
Old 06-11-2009, 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ls1fbody
you shouldn't have cut anything.
sportlines' instructions said to. and this sticky is about cutting them if the instructions say so.
Old 06-12-2009, 04:25 AM
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Originally Posted by jnicks510
i took my front struts to a shop to have them switch out the springs but they didnt cut the bump stops? i cut the rear so should i have them cut the front or am i ok?
I would if the instructions call for it.
Old 06-12-2009, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by 07MetallicSC
swaybar endlink, just had that problem and replaced mine yesterday
sounds like a balance issue.

the endlinks wouldn't cause shaking. i blew one to pieces hitting a pothole, and the link was just dangling there, still had no shaking or vibrations, just less roll resistance.
Old 06-12-2009, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by CobaltSSilver
I would if the instructions call for it.
would i be ok if i dont cut the front right away though?
Old 06-12-2009, 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jnicks510
would i be ok if i dont cut the front right away though?
I think they have you cut the bump stops so that you don't hit as early....that is my educated guess.....if you are not hitting them right now you can get by, but down the road you are going to bounce off of them (I would think) otherwise that is the function....or so I see it and am told.
Old 06-12-2009, 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by CobaltSSilver
I think they have you cut the bump stops so that you don't hit as early....that is my educated guess.....if you are not hitting them right now you can get by, but down the road you are going to bounce off of them (I would think) otherwise that is the function....or so I see it and am told.
is there anyway i can cut them without having the springs removed again. i really dont feel like spending another $42.50 to cut them.
Old 06-12-2009, 10:02 PM
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Yes, you can reach a razor blade through the coil to get at the stop. It will be a pain the ass, but it's do-able.

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