I changed my springs last weekend, and have ordered some new lower control arms to accommodate the increased negative camber on the rear wheels. I'm just curious: what length should I start with when installing these? i.e., how much shorter than stock? I lowered my rear end about 35 mm, maybe a touch less and will raise it up another ten with some spring spacers made by a fellow NAM'er. So I'm basically looking at adjusting for a 25 mm drop, give or take. I don't think I have any good means by which to measure camber... Is there a good rule of thumb I can go by, or at least start with?

When I ordered the control arms, I popped for some adjustable sway-bar end-links, too. I assume to restore my sway-bar position to neutral, these will need to be shorter than stock by the same amount by which I lowered the car? i.e., 25 mm shorter than the stock end-links? What would lengthening or shortening them further (versus the stock length) do to my handling? I guess I don't really understand what "sway-bar preload" is or does... I have the stock MCS sway bars and bushings, for what it's worth, and will most likely not change this before winter.

 

No one??

Let me rephrase: I'm not really that familiar with how suspension and tire alignment works, but I'm a decent mechanic and a fast learner. Should I just install the new control arms (and end links, which won't affect alignment at all, right?) and take the car straight to an alignment shop? It's probably due for an alignment check anyway...

I'm still unsure of what, exactly, the end-links will do, if anything. Should I not even bother fussing with these? Are they only worth installing if I install a new sway bar, too? Thanks!

 

I do not know how much to adjust the lower control arms based on how much drop.
I would get a good 4-wheel alignment so that the front toe, rear toe, and rear camber can all be adjusted to your specific specification.

Some fixed or adjustable front camber plates would be a nice addition to your suspension before the wheel alignment.