Lowering a Hybrid

[Modded]

If I were you, I'd put the stockers back on for the alignment anyway. Why tempt fate?

Don't know where you got that from.
Its better to align a car with the set of wheels/tires that are gonna be on it for the greater amount of time. The only time people usually just settle to align on stockers is if they absolutely cannot find someone that can align it with their bigger wheels.

Also Soulsea look around your area for places that align Semi's, since they have 25" wheels they can normally do an alignment on big wheels on regualrcars.

 

[soulsea]

Thanks Neo, I wasn't really sure myself about why I would want to go through the hassle and expense of swapping wheels back and forth for an alignment.

I found a place that says they have the gear to align 24s, appointment tomorrow at 1pm, if they have issues I'll take it to a semi place as advised.

Thanks again.

 

[cendres]

If I were in Soulsea's shoes (and I was yesterday), I'd prefer the alignment tech hang the equipment on something other than my nice wheels. He has what appear to be very nice 24s; it'd be a shame if they were to get accidentally marred. I'm not saying it will happen, but the possibility is there. To me, it's worth the effort to ensure nothing will happen to them.

Don't know where you got that from.
Its better to align a car with the set of wheels/tires that are gonna be on it for the greater amount of time. The only time people usually just settle to align on stockers is if they absolutely cannot find someone that can align it with their bigger wheels.

I'm not sure I follow what you're saying. Are you suggesting the alignment will somehow change based on which wheels are on the vehicle? If so, how?

 

[soulsea]

Thanks cendres,

I think I will point out to them to be careful and hope they get it right.

I have a question for Tony or whomever else might know ...

Whilst they're doing this I will ask them to measure the space between the bumpstops and the axle pad. What should that space measure ideally? My reasoning being is that if the stops need to be cut I could presumably ask them to do it right then and there while she's on the lift. Am I thinking about this correctly?

 

[sumo]

i wonder why i didnt have much trouble as you Soul. Yenno all this talk about bumps stops and trimming, How is the actual shock? if you take a look is it leaking? Bad shocks can give a ****** ride too.

 

[soulsea]

I don't know how to gage shock condition, the truck only has 16k miles on it ... but I suppose I can ask them to take a look at them tomorrow during alignment.

 

[sumo]

at 16k it mostly unlikey, but not unheard of. Leaking shock would look oily and wet on the Tube.

 

[soulsea]

Plus I'm sure the installers would have told me a shock is leaking when they installed the kit ... I'm afraid that the source of the rough ride must be something other than that.

 

[Modded]

If I were in Soulsea's shoes (and I was yesterday), I'd prefer the alignment tech hang the equipment on something other than my nice wheels. He has what appear to be very nice 24s; it'd be a shame if they were to get accidentally marred. I'm not saying it will happen, but the possibility is there. To me, it's worth the effort to ensure nothing will happen to them.



I'm not sure I follow what you're saying. Are you suggesting the alignment will somehow change based on which wheels are on the vehicle? If so, how?

Most shops will not do any damage if they are even slightly careful, especially not to chrome wheels because they are hard to scuff. Now black wheels are a different story.
And yes alignment can change when changing tire size, especially width. Simply put, imagine if you have like 1 degree of negative camber with a 275 tire. When you go up to a 305 tire or any tire that is wider than 275 yes you will still have 1 degree of negative camber (same alignment specs), but that 1 degree will definitely do more damage to the 305 tire than it would the 275.
That's why it's better to align with the wheels you drive on more.

 

[cendres]

Most shops will not do any damage if they are even slightly careful, especially not to chrome wheels because they are hard to scuff. Now black wheels are a different story.
And yes alignment can change when changing tire size, especially width. Simply put, imagine if you have like 1 degree of negative camber with a 275 tire. When you go up to a 305 tire or any tire that is wider than 275 yes you will still have 1 degree of negative camber (same alignment specs), but that 1 degree will definitely do more damage to the 305 tire than it would the 275.
That's why it's better to align with the wheels you drive on more.

Okay, I think I see what you're saying. Is it your position that the alignment should be modified outside of stock specs to accommodate this phenomenon?

I maintain it's better to align on wheels you don't care about. Unless you know the tech and how carefully they go about their work, the 20 minutes invested in swapping the wheels is well worth the peace of mind. It is to me, anyway. Others may be less particular about their stuff.