car is slammed, tires are shredded, alignment is out of whack.

**plug1** · 07-09-2013 10:26 AM

I'm planning to fix all of these items...but in which order would you recommend doing them?

I'm going to need adjustable upper control arms...so I'm thinking I should order/install these first. Then raise the ride height on each corner to make room for the added rubber of new tires. Then get the tires installed. Then get an alignment? Is this what you would do in my situation?

The goal here is to get a car that drives straight and has even, distributed tire wear. What do you think?

**evo_ski** · 07-09-2013 10:32 AM

How low are you? What is your fender to ground height? Typically once you go past about 24.5" or so you will start seeing pretty accelerated tire wear.

Raising the car is the easiest, so do that first. Next would be adjustable controls so you don't make irreversible damage to your new tires right after getting them, then finally new tires and an alignment.

**jubei4769** · 07-09-2013 10:36 AM

just so you know, if you do adjustable control arms, you will need an alignment done that day.

**plug1** · 07-09-2013 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by evo_ski

How low are you? What is your fender to ground height? Typically once you go past about 24.5" or so you will start seeing pretty accelerated tire wear.

I'd have to take an exact measurement to be sure...but pretty low. I'd say anywhere from zero finger gap to negative finger gap all around. I'll keep the 24.5" # in mind when I go to adjust the ride height, thanks.

**plug1** · 07-09-2013 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by jubei4769

just so you know, if you do adjustable control arms, you will need an alignment done that day.

Good to know, thanks. This is the type of info I was hoping to dig up.

I was going to ask if I could adjust ride height without needing another alignment done, but it seems the best solution would be adjusting the ride height, then installing the control arms, then getting an alignment.

**iHaveBoost?** · 07-09-2013 10:58 AM

Post up a picture. I'm curious to see how low we're talking here.

**plug1** · 07-09-2013 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by iHaveBoost?

Post up a picture. I'm curious to see how low we're talking here.

Sorta crooked, but represents the ride height I'm at right now.

**evo_ski** · 07-09-2013 11:23 AM

You look to be right around 24.5" Installing adjustable uppers will drastically increase tire life. With a proper alignment and stock control arms I only made it about 15K before I blew through the inner edge on some Falken FK452's. After doing adjustable uppers I got probably 25K out of Continental DW's and about 45K from a set of Continental DWS's.

**aluthman** · 07-09-2013 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by jubei4769

just so you know, if you do adjustable control arms, you will need an alignment done that day.

Not necessarily. Definitely soon after, but doesn't have to be immediately. I installed 034 upper control arms (which come set to stock length) and waited almost a week for my ST coils to settle before getting my alignment and had no adverse tire wear over the 200 miles or so I drove it before the alignment. OP, I would raise the ride height, install adj. control arms, get new tires, then align it as soon as you can afterwards.

**jubei4769** · 07-09-2013 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by aluthman

Not necessarily. Definitely soon after, but doesn't have to be immediately. I installed 034 upper control arms (which come set to stock length) and waited almost a week for my ST coils to settle before getting my alignment and had no adverse tire wear over the 200 miles or so I drove it before the alignment. OP, I would raise the ride height, install adj. control arms, get new tires, then align it as soon as you can afterwards.

Mine didn't come adjusted and there was no way I was going to drive on new tires with the front end out of alignment like it was.

U might as well just wait to do it all at one time, install control arms, raise it, new tires then align it.

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**jubei4769** · 07-09-2013 12:08 PM

Not sure where u live, on my phone and can't see. But I would have tie rods handy as a just in case. When I did my suspension the drivers side was seized and the alignment couldn't be finished till it was replaced.

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**JoshDub** · 07-09-2013 12:11 PM

Adjust coil overs, install control arms, alignment, then new tires.

**Greedo** · 07-09-2013 12:24 PM

I wouldn't call that slammed.

Regardless, do tires after an alignment. Adjustable control arms aren't necessary; they help with camber and the toe is what will eat your tires. They'll help, but are not necessary.

**evo_ski** · 07-09-2013 12:30 PM

Camber definitely plays a part, but toe is slightly more important. With my toe set to the same spec before adjustable uppers I ate tires. With it set to the same spec after adjusting camber my tires lasted a lot longer.

**plug1** · 07-09-2013 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by jubei4769

But I would have tie rods handy as a just in case. When I did my suspension the drivers side was seized and the alignment couldn't be finished till it was replaced.

Good to know, thanks.

Originally Posted by Greedo

I wouldn't call that slammed.

Tires tucked inside the fender isn't "slammed" any more? Man I've been off the forums too long. Do the wheels have to be tucked for me to get into the cool kids "slammed" club now?

**Greedo** · 07-09-2013 02:04 PM

I consider slammed to be nearly tucking wheel. That's low, but I wouldn't use the term slammed.

If I saw it in person I would consider it low, but the term slammed wouldn't come to mind.

**JEENYUS** · 07-09-2013 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Greedo

I consider slammed to be nearly tucking wheel. That's low, but I wouldn't use the term slammed.

If I saw it in person I would consider it low, but the term slammed wouldn't come to mind.

that's because you have an air lift that basically lays frame. considering he has stock bumpers on, that pretty damn low to me.

**jubei4769** · 07-09-2013 03:17 PM

id say hes at 24 1/2 FTG or close to it.

**iamshayan** · 07-09-2013 08:44 PM

notlow

**Bags4Groceries** · 07-09-2013 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by JoshDub

Adjust coil overs, install control arms, alignment, then new tires.

Agree! I just hsd thise whole situation dawn on me last year and it was quite miserable. You think tou can keep waiting...nope

Get your coils dialed in to exactly where you'd like, new control arms, mount the tires and have it aligned that day.

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**Greedo** · 07-09-2013 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by JEENYUS

that's because you have an air lift that basically lays frame. considering he has stock bumpers on, that pretty damn low to me.

Even on coils I was lower.

Just a preference of terminology.

**plug1** · 07-12-2013 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Bags4Groceries

Get your coils dialed in to exactly where you'd like, new control arms, mount the tires and have it aligned that day.

Wouldn't it be best to dial in the coilovers once I have new tires on? I'm guessing since the tires I'm running now are so worn, that new tires would add several millimeters of height...or am I completely off in my thinking?