If I put Megans on my car, which I believe lower to 1.5" max (which is plenty for me), I'll probably start at the bottom setting and work my way up until I find a setting I like. Perhaps I'll like it at the lowest, and won't have any issues.

I've heard arguments for and against that lowering past a certain point will cause vibration in the CV joints. I can't seem to find a general consensus on this.

Is there a minimum amount of lowering one can do before you need to put in rear control arms?

Also, when going in for an alignment after dropping the car like this, will any shop with an alignment machine such as a tire shop align the car to a driver's specifications, or would I have to go to a performance shop? I would only want something mild like front 1.5 camber, 0 toe and rear 1/16th toe. Not sure about rear camber yet.

 

I am running H&R coil overs, and am down 1.5", with Webb Camber plates set to -2 or thereabouts...

There is indeed a rather long thread here somewhere about vibration in the drive train after lowering, and the possibility that it could be related to the angle of the CV joints.

I never experienced this when the car was originally lowered, and when the drive train was recently replaced the problem did not crop up on the new axles and joints either.

With the new ride height, I did invest in rear LCA just to return the back axle to -1.0 from the -2 or more that it wants to assume after lowering.

I would expect a good shop to align to your requested specs if asked.

Other folks might have differing experiences here -- just my two bits.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

mine on m7's lowered just about as far as i can i the front is wanting to virbrate some. im just kinda hopeing it will eventually go away.

 

How far do the M7's go down?

 

Vibrations are pretty common lowering any car, and it seems to be up to the person and car how noticeable it is. I noticed additional drivetrain vibration / harshness with basic 1" lowering springs, but it didn't get progressively worse lower on coilovers.

You absolutely will want adjustable control arms, at least one set - I only replaced one pair. Much past a 1" drop, they're required.

And you just need to find anyone who will do the alignment to your specs, not a fancy race shop. Horror greasemonkey stories notwithstanding.