Hotchkis 2" lowering springs...Getting Frustrated

[badazz81z28]

Ok, Tuning the carb today and driving it around. I have just had about enough of the tires rubbing on the fenders!!! Anyone else experience this? In the installation instructions, it states NOT to use the 1/4" spacers, but without them, it sits ridiculously low not to mention its sitting at 1.5* camber without any shims! . I can't even get my fingers between the tire and the fender on the driver side and barley my hand on the passenger side. I guess I could throw the spacers in, but I need an 1/8" spacer to even the car out. I contacted Hotchkis and they don't sell the 1/8" spacers anymore. What should I do?

[Huzzah!]

What wheels and offset do you have?

[badazz81z28]

17X8, 4.5" offset 245/45/17.
I just need the 1/8" spacer that Hotchkis says they dont make anymore. That will bring the driver side up. If I use the 1/4" my problem will go from the driver to the pass side :smoke:

[MyFriendScott]

1/8" of difference side to side isn't that much, especially if you just installed the springs. You could always try re-indexing the springs to make sure one side isn't causing the variation. What were the height measurements prior to installing the springs? Perhaps you had 1/8" difference but didn't care because you didn't spend any money yet on the front suspension. Maybe the corner weights aren't identical and the height difference is a result. As for tire rub, sounds like you don't have enough backspacing on the rims. 4 7/8" or even 5" is usually common/required on cars lowered 2+ inches and running 245's.

You could always spend more money and buy new adjustable upper control arms. This would allow you to extend the location of the upper ball joint and return your camber back to 0 or 0.5*

[badazz81z28]

I have the Hotchkis set-up. Im using their Lower and Upper arms with their springs and shocks. 1/4" (1/8" spacer) makes a huge difference on road bumps. I;m not sure if you familair with the Hotchkis LCAs, indexing doesnt play a role as like it does for the factory arms as the Hotchkis Arms are flat on the bottom. I didnt really pay attention when I first bought the springs. I would assumed they were equal in height. The passenger side does NOT rub the fender like the driver side.

[sanman]

What you have described is exactly what issue I am dealing with The drivers side for some reason rubs and passenger side. I agree a 3/8 to 1/2 spacer would be perfect. I have searched and found several sources to buy. I found that information that says a 1/2 inch spacer provides 1 inch of body lift I found them in Jeggs and Sumit. Good luck and report back with how you resolve this problem.

[Michael@Hotchkis]

I believe you contacted Mark this morning and got the parts you needed ordered. If you have any further questions when you receive the parts, feel free to give us a call.

[badazz81z28]

I believe you contacted Mark this morning and got the parts you needed ordered. If you have any further questions when you receive the parts, feel free to give us a call.



Michael,

Yes I decided to just order the 1/4" spacer (1/8" would have been ideal). I hope it doesnt look too funky. I figure (and hope) with my weight on the driver side, it will eventually even right out.

Thanks, Rob

[Michael@Hotchkis]

Did you get the parts yet? how did the install work out for you?

[Bryce]

If you tire is rubbing the fender it sounds like the wrong offset in combination with the car sitting low.

[David Pozzi]

Have you aligned the car to performance specs? Generally I run 1.5 degrees neg camber with only a tiny bit of toe in. If you run a lot of events you can do 2 to 3 degrees neg camber with zero toe in, but the car will not track down the road as nicely. the added neg camber will move the top of the tire inboard & increase clearance.

[Huzzah!]

If you tire is rubbing the fender it sounds like the wrong offset in combination with the car sitting low.

That's what I was thinking.

[badazz81z28]

Its a compromise. I have 17X8s with 4.5" BS. I got this size based on what Mary Pozzi was running. She stated on her website that 4.75" would be better for a sec gen, but it would cause the tire to contact the sway bar.

Soon as I get the spacer in I will post a picture. I just got it today.

[Michael@Hotchkis]

Hello, Do you have any update on this thread? If you need help feel free to call us.

[badazz81z28]

Hello, Do you have any update on this thread? If you need help feel free to call us.

Michael, I got the spacers installed, 1/4" on the passenger side and 1/2" on the driver side. The driver side sits higher slightly, I hope it settles and evens out. My next issue was just the lower ball joints. Your instructions do not give a torque spec. I had to torque the passenger side nearly to 103ftlbs to line the cotter hole. How does Hotchkis interpret "fully tighten"?

[Michael@Hotchkis]

You want to tighten it till the cotter pins lines up. DO NOT LOOSEN IT TO LINE IT UP. you have to tighten it to line it up. There is no torque spec for these.

[badazz81z28]

You want to tighten it till the cotter pins lines up. DO NOT LOOSEN IT TO LINE IT UP. you have to tighten it to line it up. There is no torque spec for these.

Well. How do you know if you have it too tight? or not enough?

[badazz81z28]

Here are some pix. Notice how I ended up getting the ball joint much deeper in the spindle on the pass side Vs the Driver side. The driver side was simply a torque to 85ftlbs + a tiny bit more line up. The passenger side was torqued to 85ftlbs + a tiny bit to line up which I went too far! Backed it off, re torqued which it ended up in the "too far" position, tightend to next hole. If the passenger side is good, is the driver side not enough?

PASS SIDE

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/dRIVER-1.jpg


Driver Side

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/dRIVER2-1.jpg

[Michael@Hotchkis]

:bananna2:
You got it perfect sir. Let me know if you need any help

[badazz81z28]

This is how it sits with the spacers installed:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/Z28-1.jpg