So I've been reading on how to install coilovers (since i just bought some and cant wait to put them in) and on other car forums most point out "corner balancing" now i have never really heard anything about it so i'm kind of at a confused point right now. Is "Corner Balancing" necessary? if so what is the easiest way to figure out how to do it?


*edit* "yes i already searched this part of the forum"

 

Here is a great article from grassroots magazine that should answer most of your questions
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/art...orner-weights/

In short, corner balancing is putting your car on scales and adjusting the coilovers to obtain the ideal 50% crossweight. If you want the best possible handling from your car, get it corner balanced.

 

ah ok...thanks for the reply

 

if you mainly commute in your car, its not as necessary, but I'd definitely recommend it for anyone that does any sort of performance driving. Keep in mind you wont be able to adjust the height of your car again without upsetting the balance. This is IMO one of the best reasons to get coilovers over regular springs and struts

 

I thought about getting mine done just because I think I am all set with my height and wouldn't mind a lookover / balance from a shop ... only problem is im having a hard time finding a shop with scales that does CB's

 

Which is why I bought my own set. Plus I check and adjust before each track day or vehicle modification.

Anyone in the NOR-CAL/SF Bay Area pm me if you want to get corner balanced.

 

Interesting, how much does a set even cost? Is it literally as easy as sitting on the scales and tweaking preloads until the weights match?

For those of you in the Hartford area I actually found a place called NEO Autos in South Windsor that does corner balancing, they mainly deal with BMW's and other German performance vehicles, but they have done work on other imports and domestics. I sent them an email asking their rates.

 

If you are like most here and bought coilovers mainly for looks, to 'drop' the car, and you are not doing track days, save your money as it's not needed.

 

^ I was under the same impression, but I figure with the money spent on the coilovers, and the sways and other suspension parts, it will only help make the setup be that much more complete. Plus I would really like them to spend some time and ensure that all 4 corners are within small variation in height between the two fronts and 2 rears.

 

where would you go to have a your car CB?

 

Find a race shop close to you or any performance shop that does alignments/corner balancing.

 

You can get a basic set new for a grand or little less. I have a slightly nicer set I got used for $750.

I attached a link above that explains the process.

The rx8 has a good balance, so you can have the look you want and balance the car.

 

ur weights at each corner will be different after a corner balance. As the heights are adjusted at each coilover, the corner weights change, i.e., mine now are LF/RF 857/816 LR/RR 785/745. Make sure your tech disconnects the sway bars before doing it, as corner balancing will preload the sways (and so make correct balancing impossible if you don't obviously)...so as a result you'll need at least one adjustable swaybar link front and rear to keep no preload, plus a dummy weight of your weight in the drivers seat.

afterwards, the heights will not be the same, if that's what you are looking for don't do a corner balance.