sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Since I bought new tires to mounted them on some Rays off the G35 ( 19x8.5 +33 all around, 245/40 square set up ) I've been looking at my stance from the back so I bought 25mm spacers for the back after measuring the gap. The funny thing is that even when I had the stock tires on I noticed my drivers side rear had a little more camber than the passenger side. The drivers side would be tilted and the passenger would be standing straight if you know what I mean. I attributed this to uneven road when parked. So today I put the spacers on and confirmed that the passenger rear is out a couple mm more the the driver and is rubbing. I'm wondering with all things being equal why would the passenger rear be out farther than the drivers. Both spacers are 25mm and like I already said I noticed this with the stock tires but since they were sunk I could not confirm it. Is this normal ( I don't believe so but I'll defer to someone more knowledgeable ) or is the rear out of alignment and once corrected the passenger tire will have the correct amount of camber/caster for the tire to clear? Or is a pull on that corner my mandatory for it to fit? All four corners have been rolled flat in anticipation for wheels and spacers. You can look at the tires in the 1st and 2nd pic and see that you can see a li more tire in the passenger side and the 3rd pic is the fender almost sitting on the tire. Excuse the jacked up pain lol as soon as I get this TB, water pump and seals done she be going to the shop.

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

it's likely the alignment is out. when was the last time you had it done?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

driver's side of USDM/LHD LS400s is ~1/4-3/4" lower than passenger side, known for years. Hypothesized due to battery placement relative to RHD models.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I have not done an alignment in years I cant even remember, I know I have a slight wander to the right but the steering is still tight and none of my tires show uneven wear. I take 300 mile road trips regularly.


I was thinking something along these lines but the drivers is not rubbing it's the passenger side.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

it's likely rubbing because the passenger side is a touch higher than the driver's side, giving it some extra natural camber.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

+1, I took the battery out and the car sat near even left to right side. The alignment won't be obvious until you are getting close to the fender well for clearance. Mine is off a couple mm to compensate for the different height at each corner. I'm not trying for an aggressive fitment this slight difference does not pose an issue.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Ok I see what you mean now. I really don't want to pull the fender but I will if I have to since I'm committed at this point. Do you think I can compensate for the corner when I do an alignment without any negative affects on tire wear?

Yeah when the stock tires were on it was not a problem but with the 19x8.5 +8 with the 25mm spacers it's an issue.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

FWIW, if this were mine, I would have the spacers turned down a few mm. Though cool to be at the limits of the fender, it becomes unforgiving. Changing a tire with a slightly different sidewall brings it all back and if you get an alignment, again more potential issues. If you stretch and massage the fender to allow for variations, that's cool too. Have seen far to many mangled fenders so if you do this drill, do it right for the fitment. Obviously this costs some $. If you ever decide to sell the car, pulled fenders makes using a stock wheel-tire a sore thumb for the next buyer.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

^^^^^ Thanks for the advice. Would it be as simple as taking the spacers to a machine shop and having them shaved like rotors? I wish I would have gleaned this info about the differences in the rear before hand I probably would have gotten 20mm instead. I kept measuring the gap before I bought them and just thought the rear might be out of alignment since I was getting slightly different measurements from side to side. Pulling the fender is a last option as I don't really like that look and I've read about the dimpling but since I'm going to have some body work done a well as paint........

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

rear camber is adjustable via lower control arm eccentric bolts on the crossmember side. just make sure you are measuring on a flat, even surface.

are you on coilovers? if so why not just readjust to compensate for the "LS lean" ?

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Nah I'm on eibach springs, I keep debating the coilovers but my common sense always takes over. I would be letting a shop do the alignment so no worries about the flat surface. How much camber can I get before the tires start to wear unevenly? It seems everyone knows about the "LS lean" but I don't remember reading it anywhere.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

ifyou can get away with <1/2 a degree difference across the axle in camber I would say go for it, but definitely not a "solution" so much as a work around.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

To close this thread out the issue is that my whole alignment was thrown off when I lowered the car and Shmee was correct. This is the only vehicle that I have lowered and even though everything on the web say's that to get an alignment after lowering I was hard headed and did not. The toe was way out on that corner and I'm guessing that is why it was contacting the quarter panel with the spacer on there. I'll know for sure when I put the spacers on the rear in a day or so.

Stroock639

i have always thought i liked how the car looks from the drivers side over the passengers side and couldn't figure out why, now i'm pretty sure it's because it sits slightly lower than the passenger side lol... is it really because of the battery though? wasn't this car essentially made to be in LHD markets like the US? do the cars in england or japan have their battery in a different place?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

take the battery out and it'll sit almost level.