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Alignment Arm Fitting

Darren_S15

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Wanted to get people opinions on this really.

Im going to be replacing my alignment arms in the next few weeks and am unsure if I should be replacing the nuts and bolts that I will be undoing.

Ive found a few threads on the SXOC and people generally dont seem to bothered about reusing the old nuts and bolts.

I had all the wheels off this weekend to WD40 all the bits I need to remove to try and make them easier to get off.

From the outside all the nuts and bolts look too to be in good condition, but obviously I wont know this for sure until I undo them.

What do you guys recommend I do?
 

meddler

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usually the old ones are fine unless you find them damaged in some way. See if you can get a rattle gun. I changed all my alignment arms not long ago and It would have taken heaps longer without one.
 
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i did exactly the same as nicely. most of mine came with new ones, but i re-used what ever didn't! :)
 
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Matt_S

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The only ones I would worry about replacing are the camber and toe bolts/washers. These can get wrecked by unknowledgable mechanics. But you can get spares form the SXOC breakers :) (and yes, theyre the same)
 
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YazS150

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Just while we're on the topic....does the front have camber arms or camber bolts?? Also, what is the purpose of traction rods?
 
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Just while we're on the topic....does the front have camber arms or camber bolts?? Also, what is the purpose of traction rods?
The fronts have camber adjustments(upper control arms)

Traction rods give rear stability in high speed cornering and stop axle tramp(wheel bounce) they need to be used in conjuction with toe arms and HICAS locking bars
 

Darren_S15

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Thanks for the advice guys.

Did anyone use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts to the required torque in the service manual?
 
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i tend to use a torque wrench for most things.... do 'em all up with impact gun my impact gun stops at 6 different torque settings, always use the one below desired setting.) or ratchet then just check them make sure they're on enough.

:)
 

meddler

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Thanks for the advice guys.

Did anyone use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts to the required torque in the service manual?
Absolutely. Always use a torque wrench where possible.
 
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YazS150

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The fronts have camber adjustments(upper control arms)

Traction rods give rear stability in high speed cornering and stop axle tramp(wheel bounce) they need to be used in conjuction with toe arms and HICAS locking bars
what are tc arms? I'm looking at apex's alignment set..is it enough to sort out my front and rear camber and toe settings? do i need anything else or is there something extra in there? I dont want anything for drift setup or antyhing like that....its just my camber and toe is really bad and i cant sort it unless I get adjustable bits. Cheers guys!
 

Darren_S15

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what are tc arms? I'm looking at apex's alignment set..is it enough to sort out my front and rear camber and toe settings? do i need anything else or is there something extra in there? I dont want anything for drift setup or antyhing like that....its just my camber and toe is really bad and i cant sort it unless I get adjustable bits. Cheers guys!
Read these:

http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html

http://www.whiteline.com.au/default.asp?page=/faqintro.htm

Or you could type Alignment Arms into google as Im sure one or two pages might come up.
 

Darren_S15

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This doesn't answer my question. I know what camber, toe and caster are. I just want to know if Apex's kit is enough to do the job.
A kit with rear camber arms, rear toe arms, rear traction arms and front tc arms will be enough to sort out your alignment :nod:.

"Front tc arms:
Allow castor adjustment to improve turn in and steering response

Rear camber arms:
Allow camber adjustment for the rear wheels. Necessary when the 200s are lowered as doing so increases -ve camber so reduces traction and causes excessive tyre wear on the inside edge.

Rear toe arms:
Allows adjustment of rear toe. When you correct camber you will dial in toe out. The standeard arms have a limited amount of adjustment, once you get outside this range of adjustment you need rear toe arms.

Rear traction arms:
Also allow adjustment of rear toe towards the top of the suspension stroke.
The joints/uprated bush also help reduce the slop inherent in the original bushes which tightens up the rear end and helps reduce axle tramp."

[quote - Bren from Apex Performance on the SXOC]
 
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YazS150

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Exactly!! front tc arms are only for caster....how do I adjust front toe and camber??
 
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TonyS15

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I have just had the apex alignment kit fitted to the S15 and had the aligment setup up all in one go. I went to DCMS garage based in accrington, lancashire who specialise in 200's/silvia's very impressed with the work.
They adjusted most on the front with the Top mounts
 
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Exactly!! front tc arms are only for caster....how do I adjust front toe and camber??
front camber is only possible with after market suspension that have adjustable top mount plate. camber is adjustusing this top mount plate.

front toe is adjusted using the standard tie rods. these are the adjustable rods that are connected to your steering rack/wheels. there is enough adjustment on standard. as toe is generally not touch on front.
 
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YazS150

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front camber is only possible with after market suspension that have adjustable top mount plate. camber is adjustusing this top mount plate.

front toe is adjusted using the standard tie rods. these are the adjustable rods that are connected to your steering rack/wheels. there is enough adjustment on standard. as toe is generally not touch on front.
Thank you very much ray...thats a great and complete answer. Now i understand. The issue is tho i have 2.5degrees of -ve camber up front...coz the car came with nismo suspension...so to straighten this up a bit...can i use these

http://www.apexperformance.co.uk/ca...23&PHPSESSID=877cdd2094abf02d0b5c1381461a2a52
 
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YazS150

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SOOOOOOOOORTID!! cheers guys!! we got there in the end!! What should I be setting the front caster to? I may leave the front tc arms out and ask bren to swap the camber bolts in their place if they are not going to be overly beneficial to me.
 
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