Starting my suspension install

[duckmans]

bushings in

[duckmans]

All done. I might take it out for a drive tomorrow. I herd it was going to snow so if it does then I wont.

[duckmans]

Now that I am done I am going to get an alignment. I am going to go for 0 toe in the rear. What about the front toe? I read somewhere that you want 0 to just a little toe out. Some thing about the wheels pull the car so when you drive they will correct them selves.
I also installed the rear camber bolts. Should I get the camber as close to 0 or keep them even? I mean I don't want them at -1.3 on one side and -1.0 on the other do I?
Are there any other setting that I should specify. I don't race right now so I don't need race setting.
Any help or suggestions are welcome. If anyone wants to see some pics let me know and I will post them. I don't have a final shot because it was dark.
Thanks in advanced.

[fordblue03]

I had my car set ot 0 toe and camber, but ther are others who prefer different.

[duckmans]

Thats probably what I will go for. I just need to get it done soon.

[mpsii]

I have been told you should wait a week or so with the install to allow the new suspension to settle. Then get the alignment done.

[EuroAyres]

i perf a little negative camber with 0 toe, not a lot fo negative though

[duckmans]

Thanks. I will wait a week. I am not sure but I don't think I can get 0 camber with just the bolts. I also think I noticed I had to move the steering wheel to the right just a tad to go straight. Maybe it's just because I was paying close attention.
Thanks for the advice.

[duckmans]

Did any one else have a problem with the steering wheel not being centered after a suspension install before an alignment?

[fordblue03]

Mine did that after the alignment. I blamed it on a bad driverside strut.
I hope it is the strut. Maybe start a new thread to get some new attention.

[duckmans]

Thanks. I have not had the alignment yet. Everything looks even except the back it a little higher. I was thinking of putting it on a lift and loosening some stuff and torquing everything back down.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by MaroonZX3

I don't like using the pinch weld to raise the car, it tends to get all bent up. You are not supposed to lift in the middle if the rear crossmember either. I used one of the frame members on each side under the car. Somewhere online I found a diagram that shows the factory recommended lifting points. It might be on FocusHacks.

I use that all of the time when I change my fuel filter, rotate teh tires etc. why is it not a good place to jack from ( I use a 2 ton floor jack not the puny sissor jack that comes with the car.

[fordblue03]

I was thinking the same thing. I use a wood/rubber block on the jack.
Jackstands though.. I would be a little nervous those pinch welds might fold over and fall.

[duckmans]

http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=74
So does this look good or not?

[fordblue03]

well I put mine on the center spots, but i would recommend if you want to put the jackstands on the pinch welds then use a hydrualic jack. I put mine in the center spots primarily because I used my tire jack that came with the car.

[duckmans]

I would like to use my hydraulic jack on the center cross member thing and put the jack stands one the pinch welds but I think some one said not to jack the car up there.

[EuroAyres]

i jack on the center cross member and then i put the stands on the frame that goes down the sides of the car they are like 6 inches-1foot inwards of the pinchweld.

[duckmans]

Are you talking about these?

and

[EuroAyres]

Yes sir...I have used jackstands there for everything i have done to my focus and it works well. Most stands have that top deal that looks like a really shallow "U" and All the ones i have used the frame actually fits in the "U". So that works out very well for support.

[duckmans]

Cool. Thanks