2nd gen Alignment

 

When ever you Change the height of a car, or if it's pulling left or right while driving. You should get an Alignment.

The 2nd gen has very limited Adjustment in stock form. You can change the front and rear toe ( / \ while looking from the top of car) and you can move the front camber (/ \ from infront) around 0.5 degrees. but can not change the rear camber.

To do an Alignment you need an alignment rack. You have to go to a shop that does them. I'd guess around $50usd for a 4 wheel alignment.

To change the front camber with the stock mounts, Read This

If you want or need more range. You need some Camber Plates. Cusco makes a set that can be used with the stock type springs (stock, eibach, ST whatever). But that range won't be too big either since the large stock springs will just hit the shock tower. For full range, you need some Coil overs with camber plates. I got mine From k2rd. This gives you a large range of adjustment in the front.

 

To change the rear camber, You need to buy an adjustable rear camber link. K2rd, Racingbeat, mazdatrix, and mazda comp all make them. You replace the solid link between the left side of the diff and the subframe. (around a foot long) by changing the lengh of the rod, you change the rear camber. The problem with this is that it changes both the rear tires at once. A common problem on these cars is to have them different. My right and left rear camber is 0.9 degrees different!!. And I don't know of a way to fix it yet. replacing all the rear bushings would probably help. but that's a big job. Mazda trix is currently making a product that will alow indepentant adjustment but it's not out yet.

 

Adjustable rear camber link

 

The 3rd alignmnet spec is Caster. I have no way to change it so there is nothing I can do :). the K2RD plates put it at 6 degrees.

You can read up on Castor here

 

The vaules you use are really up to you and your car, and how you want it to feel. There is no set values to use. for auto-x you want some toe out in the front, but you'll lose some high speed stableness. For higher speed (road course) and normal street driving you'll want some front toe in.

Also the further away from stock specs you go. The faster you will wear out tires.

I set mine up with -2 degrees front camber and -1.6 and -2.5 rear (see above...)

0 rear toe and 1/16" front toe in on each side.

 

 

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