Steering Shake With Lowering Springs

[Marcoose]

Hey there. The trusted local mechanic installed H&R lowering springs and camber plates. (And PS4S’s.) Accordingly he set the camber at app. -1.7° on all four. The goal was to cure the understeering. It is totally gone.

There’s now a small and intermittent steering wheel shake at 90mph/145kph. It comes and goes depending on the tarmac.

Any similar experience? Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[enuff_zed]

What is the toe-in set at?
It is feasible that at that higher speed, aerodynamic forces and road drag are pulling the front wheels back slightly into a neutral toe position.
If that is the case then I would initially look at the bushes, in case they are giving slightly.
If they are all solid, then possibly add a little more toe-in and see if that helps?

 

[Marcoose]

[ref]enuff_zed[/ref], thanks. I’ll check and revert. But another way to ask is, do non-OEM, sporty, lowering springs on themselves cause steering wheel shake?

 

[enuff_zed]

[ref]enuff_zed[/ref], thanks. I’ll check and revert. But another way to ask is, do non-OEM, sporty, lowering springs on themselves cause steering wheel shake?

On that I will have defer to someone who has done it.......................

 

[mcbutler]

[ref]enuff_zed[/ref], thanks. I’ll check and revert. But another way to ask is, do non-OEM, sporty, lowering springs on themselves cause steering wheel shake?

No they dont, they transform the car completely, flat cornering etc.
Soon as you mess with geometry settings you open a whole new can of worms.....

 

[Marcoose]

Mark, did you mean they do?

 

[enuff_zed]

Mark, did you mean they do?

I believe he means that if properly fitted and correctly set up, assuming no other faults with the suspension and steering, then lowering springs will improve the car's handling, NOT cause the symptoms you describe. Given the amount of people who have done this mod, I would think we would have heard if they causes issues.
That's why I suggested looking at other suspension components for wear, then getting a full 4-wheel alignment carried out.
As with all changes made to cars as they age, fitting a new component often highlights issues with other, older components.