Do I need a camber kit?

[Ahjun]

I want to buy lowered springs for my ms3, but I've read around and some people are saying I wont need a camber kit because the ms3 was made to ride low.

My question is... If I have 2 people sitting in the back every weekend or so with it lowered. Will my back tires be butterflying?

 

[wingnut12]

I depends. How far are you planning on dropping it? If it's only an inch, a good alignment should do the trick.

 

[goldwing2000]

I depends. How far are you planning on dropping it? If it's only an inch, a good alignment should do the trick.

Rear camber is not adjustable, so an alignment won't do squat.

Since the Speed3 lowering kit comes with springs and camber links and it only drops it 15mm, then chances are you're going to need them.

Lowering an inch is huge when it comes to rear camber on these cars. If you don't mind it being -3 or so, then don't worry about it. Personally, I prefer my rear camber closer to 0 so I don't wear out the inside edge of the tires so fast.

 

[mazda3zoom]

I go through rear tires pretty quick on mine, when i went to get the front end alignment the other day my rear camber was at like -2.8, so thats pretty aggressive. It makes it take corners pretty bad-ass tho.

 

[DetroitSP23]

Rear camber is not adjustable, so an alignment won't do squat.QUOTE]

To make sure I understand correctly, to stay closer to 0, one would need a "camber kit"? Seem like a good idea; especially if you have occasional passengers in the back.

So what you have Goldwing? Eibach + a camber kit?

 

[goldwing2000]

Yes.

 

[DetroitSP23]

Yes.

Any issues with Michigan roads?

 

[goldwing2000]

Any issues with Michigan roads?

Like what kind of issues?

 

[onikaze]

on average if you lower the front of a car 1 inch it adds 0.75 NEGATIVE camber, if you lower the front 2 inches it adds 1.50 NEGATIVE CAMBER, if you lower the front 3 inches it adds 2.50 NEGATIVE camber.

http://www.spcperformance.com/PROD_DIR/PERF_TECH_DIR/SPCPerf_TECHTIP1.html

just as a reference i have used SPC for my street cars and race cars with excellant results.

 

[goldwing2000]

on average if you lower the front of a car 1 inch it adds 0.75 NEGATIVE camber, if you lower the front 2 inches it adds 1.50 NEGATIVE CAMBER, if you lower the front 3 inches it adds 2.50 NEGATIVE camber.

http://www.spcperformance.com/PROD_DIR/PERF_TECH_DIR/SPCPerf_TECHTIP1.html

just as a reference i have used SPC for my street cars and race cars with excellant results.

The pictures in that article appear to be using some sort of multi-link suspension. That makes the camber go more negative than a MacPherson strut setup like is on the Mazda3. I lowered mine 1.25 inches and the front camber didn't change at all. Maybe .25 degree or so but nothing even worth worrying about.
The rear is where we have problems, due to the multi-link setup, hence the need for only a rear camber kit.

 

[DetroitSP23]

Like what kind of issues?

I don't know. Rubbing, scrapping,...potholes. Just wondered. Thanks.

 

[goldwing2000]

As long as you don't go with a crazy offset on your wheels (less than +48), then you won't have any rubbing issues.

The Eibach springs are lower but they are stiffer, so I don't have any bottoming issues. And they aren't so low that I have many clearance issues. I do drag on the occasional parking block but you just have to learn to not park so close.

Potholes are always going to be an issue in Michigan but I don't think that it's gotten any worse because of the lowering. I'm running Kumho Ecsta ASX tires which are rated as "extra loads", so they have a stiffer sidewall and I'm running them at 38-40 psi. The ride is firm but not jarring and I feel better knowing that the wheels are a little more protected.

 

[DetroitSP23]

As long as you don't go with a crazy offset on your wheels (less than +48), then you won't have any rubbing issues.

Great info. Thanks!