Just got some lowering springs for the rear. Camber right now on the rear is good, inside the range by .28 on the left and .16 on the right. Will I need another alignment after installation, or does it not move that much?

How long should it take a competent shop to swap them out? I was considering trying this as a DIY project. Is it more or less involved than removing the front spring assembly? I can get the spring compressor from Advanced Auto.
Nothing like a little Chevy Engine Red in your Jaguar ...

 

You should probably read about a poster on the Jag Lovers (Charles_3000) forum who did this same thing and might be some good info to research.



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Just do a search for Charles_3000 and 'REAR CAMBER'

I sent him info and I did not follow his outcome all the way through.
I guess he sorted this out.

bob gauff

 

I did this about 2 months back, takes about 3 hours, can be done on the floor, you will need spring compressors.
The only issue you have is pushing the damper up to get the spring in, a bit of a 2 man job, and you will scrape all that nice new paint up

I am lowering another XK at the moment with a full polybush, this is easier as we have dropped the complete rear bed on the floor, no paint scraping then

 

Thanks, Tony. How much does it affect the camber? Would it need another rear alignment?

 

Looking at your springs I would say you are planning on lowering about an 1", from my experience this does effect the camber but only marginally and does not require realignment, if you was to lower more than an inch I would advise it, however it is not a major job to do, you need to adjust the shims between the axel and diff flanges.

 

That's good news then. It's supposed to lower about 25-30mm, so it's right at 1in.

 

Indeed........ you should be fine

 

Skid,

I think you'll be quite happy with the change. I installed the Mina Gallery lowering springs in the rear several months ago, and it really improved the stance of my car. My 97 had a LOT of wheel well showing in the back, and the new springs evened things out and really made a difference. I had my springs installed by my local Indy tech, and did not need an alignment afterwards. Still straight as an arrow.

The next improvement I made to the rear, and one that made as big a visual difference as lowering the rear, was installing 20mm wheel spacers in the rear. I bought them from XKRacer...aluminum billet and very well made. Pushing the rear wheels out a bit, combined with the lowering springs, made a dramatic difference in stance. The car looks a little sleeker, a little meaner, with more purpose. Driving dynamics were unchanged.

 

Have changed my springs to Eibachs now a couple of weeks ago, although the front was perfect (contrary to the back) as after almost 200Kmiles the original springs where already a bit lowered by themselves, and the upper shock bushing was also 5mm more compressed (bought new ones though).

Have also done it myself on the garage floor with spring compressors, it’s doable. It was certainly worth it and the car is now level again ;-).

I know in the past Eibach provided shims also, and although maybe not necessary, I will check the camber this week and may adjust it pending on the values. I certainly don’t want to wear out the inside of the tires only, not so good for traction either.

 

Thanks, Coupe, looking forward to getting them in. Those spacers, does the hub get replaced, or do they bolt on the present hub?

You definatly want to be inside the range on the alignment!
Is there a guide or DIY to replacing the springs? I've been looking but haven't found anything on it. I would need a step by step I'm sure.

 

No, nothing gets replaced and installation is as easy as bolting on a wheel. I attached a snap, see below. You simply bolt the spacer onto the hub as you would a wheel, same torque specs. For my particular wheels (Double-Fives), the nuts holding the spacer on fit neatly into pockets on the rear side of the wheel, so no machining needed.

XKRacer generally says that there is no degradation in handling UNLESS you're running 20-inch (or larger) wheels. But for my 18s, I can tell you there is no discernible change in handling, and I've had some training. I will say that wheel spacers are items that must be of the highest quality. I trust Tony (XKRacer) and his experience counts for a lot. So I went with his product.

Once you get that extra width in the back, you'll never want to do without it. Just like you'll never want that inch of rear spring height back.

 

Hmmm, I wonder if they'll fit in my Hydras without machining. I'd hate to have to drill out metal around the bolt holes. I also run OEM Lamina 17in wheels on occasion.

I can see how if they developed a problem whilst driving it could be concerning. Did you set the parking brake when torquing the spacer bolts to keep the hub from spinning?

 

Tony (XKRacer) could answer the Hydra question for you. I wouldn't have wanted to machine them, either. Potential balance problems, etc.

My parking brake was a fourteen year old daughter, pressing the brake pedal while I tightened the bolts. Works every time.

 

Ah ha! I was pretty close then!

 

Have checked the camber, and would need to adjust both front and rear.

For the rear it was a tad more than -2 degrees, and as I aim for about -0.8 degree, I guess I need about 2.5mm extra shimm thickness, so hope this calculation is about right...

 

Decided to take the car to the indy shop and have the springs swapped. They wound up demating the rear sub assembly to free the control arms and deload the springs that way to take them out. Said it took less time that way, so I guess I'll find out when the bill comes haha...

Anyway, here's a before shot:

And an after shot. Different wheels but the tire diameter is the same:

Full length before shot:

And full length after:

Turned out great, the balance of height between front and rear is perfect! Thanks to JagYour for recomending Adamesh! Only got the rear springs because the front was low enough already. Rides and handles great, no knocks or clunks.

 

-2 degrees wow! Jag shows -1.25 as the rear camber limit. How much did the camber change from where it was before? Did it go from -0.8 to -2.0 just because you lowered it?

 

Looking very snug and well poised.Will be interesting to hear how you find the ride and handling after you have put it through its paces for a few weeks,

Al

 

Ah yes...much better, Skid. Looks great. Well done.

 

Hi Skid Mark,

Nice job... When your car will be parked outside (unless you have a really big garage !), could you please make a picture of it showing it in profile, really square ? I'm very much interested by doing the same mod on my car and btw I have the same wheels. Question though : do you have CATS suspensions ? I'm wondering if there's not a difference in spring and body height depending between CATS and non-CATS...

Thanks !