I recently just installed my Illuminas all around and H&R spring in the front only. And now the car is pulling severly hard to the right and sometimes to the left too. if i were to let go of the wheel for 1 second i would immediatly hit the center divider. I have already had 2 alignments from two different shops and i am still experiencing the samething. the mechcanics said my caster is extremely off but they cant change it and my only option is to buy a camber kit to help the alighment. I need your guys help i dont know what else to do.

 

Umm... check your LCA bushings (caster), you might want to replace them. Otherwise it sounds like your suspension is bent. Lack of wheel centering is a property of very little or no caster (and to a lesser extent, severe toe out, but they should have fixed that already) and I haven't heard of that happening ever due to only a drop. Did you try reverting back to stock?

 

the suspension isnt bent. it was fine when it was stock and now it the car cant stay straight and i really dont want to go back to stock at all. i didnt change my strut mounts out could that play a part in the cars alignment

 

it SOUNDS like you did not put the upper spring hats on correctly. They have to go a certain way (there are markings indicating "front" or "outside" IIRC). If you don't have them lined up correctly, it could mess up both camber and caster. It is VERY easy to mess this up, especially if you/the installer didn't know to line them up (I've actually forgotten once or twice, and I've done dozens of maxima suspensions)...

If installed correctly, there is no way your caster could be out of spec, as it is non-adjustable on these cars.

an alignment kit will only change camber, and H&R is a mild drop - you will not need a camber kit. Your camber will be fine assuming the suspension is installed correctly.

 

so i should just go back install them again. what exactly should be looking for when i am trying to make sure its lined up right. do you have a picture that i can use as a refrence . Thanks for your help.

 

the marking is on the black spring 'hat' unless i'm mistaken.

 

Did you use the FSM or a haynes/chiltons manual to do the installation?


IBIalreadyknowtheanswer

 

Even the Haynes/Chilton book (not sure which one I have for the Max) has enough information in it to do the job right the first time. I just swapped in a set of Illuminas and really only needed that little piece of information and the bolt torque specs.

Since this car is now primarily my wife's DD, I kept the OE SE springs, but the actual (conventional, not coil-over) springs that you might choose to install should make no difference in the re-assembly procedure.


Whenever you tackle a job such as this that you do not deal with on a regular basis you really need to get in the habit of double-checking stuff as you go. As in every step. If something does not seem quite right, stop and take a closer look, and expect to find something that needs to be done over. If anything can fit in one right way and three or four wrong ways, make sure that you picked the right way, as the 25% chance of getting it right by blind luck is pretty deep into "F" territory if you were being graded on it.


Edit - to the OP, are the settings that you chose for the front and rear equal at least side to side?


Norm

 

I don't have a pic, but on top of the upper spring hat (the metal part that sits directly above the spring), there is an etched-in marking that says either "OUT" or "SIDE" or "FRONT" or something. The hat needs to be aligned so the arrow points toward where it says it should (i.e. if it says "outside" it should point to the fender).

IIRC the arrow needs to be aligned with the bottom mount bracked of the strut...

 

thanks irish i hope this works if not do you have any other suggestions.
i also forgot to but the rubber hoses around the new springs does that explain why when i turn the wheel i can hear it rubs. could the stock strut mounts play a part in this too.

 

Yes the rubber is needed on the coils. Mounts might be shot but its best to see the whole thing installed in front of your eyes to verify.. If you come down to Concord there is a dude down here that takes good car of the strut swap and will let you spy around his tuner shop while he is working. 2 race Imprezas and some other racers in there.

Let me know.. I'm getting illuminas installed within the next week (H&R front drop stock SE rear).

 

I just installed some h&r's 2wks ago and these are byfar the best smoothest springs I've ever had. They are teamed up with illuminas. I did order a camber kit from cattman to get the alignment perfect.

 

I'm going to be ordering some illuminas. Anything else I would need besides KYB dust boots and rubber bushings?

Thanks guys

Irish- what is the average time for you to installed these?

 

i also had a problem like that after lowering my car, pulled to the left but after an alignment it got better