questions for guys with air ride

redline8k · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 403

i have a easy street kit that I just finished installing along with some 20s. I noticed that my rear wheels move forward in the wheel well when the car is slammed. Is this normal? Ive also noticed that the wheel doesnt look straight meaning they almost look toed in( / \ looks like this if you were looking from the top of the car down) its hard to describe. Could have I possibly installed the rear bags wrong? I havent taken the car to get an alignment yet. I dont think the rears are adjustable...?
Ill have to call steve at scion pro or jeremy at airlift.
any feed back would be great.
thanks

-nick

xseveredveganx · Posted: 8/14/08 7:57PM Post subject:

It's due in part to how the rear suspension is designed. If you look at how the rear axle mounts, it's angled to the outsides of the car.
As far as the rear wheels moving forward, this will happen. It happens with bagged trucks as well. It's mostly because the distance from the axle to where the axle mounts and pivots is so short. The shorter the distance from the pivot to the axle, the more the wheel will move and be noticable. The longer, the less noticable. I learned a lot of this by 4 linking trucks. There's quite a bit of engineering involved.

CIONIDE · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 2438 Location: Napa, CA

If you look at your rear suspension, the springs & shocks are canted forward. We have a solid beam rear axle, but the higher it travels (or the lower you drop it) the further forward it travels.

You are correct to notice a stock negative camber on the rear, it runs -1.5 to -2.0 degrees, and is not adjustable without modification.

redline8k · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 403

camber I understand, but these look like they are "toed" in. if you were on a ladder and could look down through the car and see the wheels the would look like this. / \ maybe not so dramatic but none the less. Ill have to see if I can get some better pics. later today.
thanks
-nick

NoLimitzInd · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 2145 Location: Arizona

Here is the reason the toe.

When you lower the vehicle. The axle rotates forward. Therefore rolling the wheels towards the front of the rear fenders. When sitting there at the stock height you have some negative camber. Well when you lower it and the axle rolls forward, the negative camber will now become toe. I have the same issue with mine. I am not running air, but am low enough to see that the axle has rolled forward and caused some toe. I hope this helps some.

redline8k · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 403

yeah thanks, after looking at it more this morning, I noticed it wasnt that bad, it looks way worse in the pictures. I guess it has something to do the all the lines in the wheel and the fender...

xseveredveganx · Posted: 8/15/08 1:54PM Post subject:

I'm still a fan of centered wheels. It just plain looks better to the eye. But I'm not sure if all the cutting and welding would necessarily be worth it in the long run.

Just1n · Posted: 8/15/08 4:18PM Post subject:

redline8k wrote: yeah thanks, after looking at it more this morning, I noticed it wasnt that bad, it looks way worse in the pictures. I guess it has something to do the all the lines in the wheel and the fender...

That looks awesome.