Suspension/Steering/Shift knob Questions

I have a 96' 240sx SE with 18x8.5 ADR M-Sports with 225/40 Kumho Ecstas, lowered with AGX's, and I need to fix my negative camber (top of wheel points in?) and I think I need an alignment, since the steering wheel shakes and the car doesn't steer perfectly straight on its own. While searching for a solution, my first thought was an 4-wheel aligment and a rear upper arms camber correction kit from Cusco, sourced from Enjuku racing. I'm pretty sure this is the thing for me, but my first question: is this the right thing? While researching, I came upon some more suspension components whose function I was unsure about. They are: toe control arm, tension rod, and traction rod. So my second question is: What do these things do and what do they help correct/improve? I also happened across CUSCO Comp Zero-2R Coilovers. I would love to source all of my suspension components from the same manufacturer, but I do not want to sacrifice performance whatsoever. So my third question is: Are these coilovers, while pricey at about $2100, any good and how do they compare to, say, Tein Flex coilovers? Any help is GREATLY appreciated, as I dont want to waste my hard earned money, and I love learning about this stuff, especially about suspensions. Oh, and how hard is it to install these components, most importantly the camber correction kit, as I would like to save some money by doing it myself, as I am rather handy in the garage as long as I have good directions. Lastly, what do you think is the nicest overall(appearance and function) shift knob? I am looking at the Nismo GT titanium, but I would prefer a black knob, and my Signal knob gets way too cold in the winter. Thanks to all

A camber kit isn't necessary. I got my car re-aligned after I lowered it (Eibach Sportlines and KYB AGX) and it drives straight as an arrow now. I don't have any problems with uneven wear on the tires due to bad camber or anything.

Toe control arms: Pretty self explanitory. It allows you to adjust the toe in or toe out on your car. Camber is when your wheel is off center up and down, and toe in/toe out is when the tire is already somewhat turned when the wheel is straight. This can cause your tires to wear faster than normal because part of the tire is actually being dragged across the ground since it's not perfectly straight.

Tension rods: Helps reduce the amount of play you have in your suspension when cornering/braking/accelerating. It makes your suspension more stiff for better handling.

Traction rods: Your car won't go out of alignment as fast with traction rods. It helps keep it aligned as well as making the rear suspension more stiff, which overall helps with traction.

All of those parts will better improve your handling.

I've never used Cusco coilovers, so I can't help you with how well those work, but a friend has the type FLEX on his S13 and I love them.

Those parts above are all able to be installed easily in your garage. You don't need any special tools to do it.

Those parts above are all able to be installed easily in your garage. You don't need any special tools to do it.

i was thinking you need a spring compressor?

so I should just go to a alignment shop and get every thing straight?

yes go get a alignment, with my type flex coils i could tell i needed an alignment. Its perfectly fine now. Yes i would recommend getting a spring compressor if you dont want to catch a spring to the chest. I did mine without one though and a spring flew across the whole damn garage. I think it could have killed someone, put a dent the in the garage door lol. Although it was funny as shit. I would recommend a alignment after any kind of suspension work....unless you now how to set your own shit the way you like it. Cusco is a great company, i dont think you would have any probs with those coils. the only thing i dont like about my flex coils is the threads on the main rod (by the upper mounts in the engine bay) are a bit rusty. If your car is daily driven i would clean them often.

Yes i would recommend getting a spring compressor if you dont want to catch a spring to the chest. I did mine without one though and a spring flew across the whole damn garage. I think it could have killed someone, put a dent the in the garage door lol. Although it was funny as shit.

i know what you mean, my friend was doing that outside flew and hit his older part car and put a nice dent in it, we were very carefull when we did the springs with out the compressor, but the next day he went and put the others on with the a compressor much easier if you have the money, or you can rent one i think, cuz i know i can here.

Or some smart people go buy a spring compressor, when done go and return it :). Free rent lol.

Front
Tension Rods - Control Caster: Blown bushing causes wheel movement / shaking

Tie Rods - Control Steering: Known for being Weak Aftermarket can offer greater steering Angle

Lower Control Arm - This and the Tension Rod form the lower Link

Strut - Essentially the top suspension link. look for double height / Inverted on coilovers

Rear

Rear Upper Control Arm Controls Rear Camber: Heim Joints a plus for racing /Drift

Toe Control Arm - Controls Toe... duh. once again Heim Joints a plus

Rear Forward Link - Controls Bumpsteer:

Rear Lower Control Arm - Lower Link. No Reason to Replace... Better bushings only

Subframe Bushings - Attach Subframe to chassis: these and tension rods will most change the way the car feels.

The 02R are Cuscos top of the line. I belive they have Inverted Fronts, Monotube and Double Height Adujstment. whereas the FLEXs are just... well... crap.

The Cusco stuff is great. but if you feel the need for Red or Chome Links the Kazama, Battle Version, NAMS, and SPL are all just as good and possibly cheaper.

Whats causing that shake is either an Unbalanced wheel, Blown Bushings (tension / tie rod), or a misalignment.

Sorry for stealing the thread for a bit, but does anyone know a website that explains in detail about suspension, its parts, how does each have effect on the car and what does the part do? I know a lot of that info but also don't know a lot.

And on my dads sentra unballanced wheel (was hit and the metal balnce thingy fell off) caused the car to shake at 55+mph. So I am guessing just go to some shop do all the things mentioned (alignment/balance) and tell us what happened.

pavlo, go read what r.w.240 wrote two posts up from yours, and google each one of those parts.. use something like "how ________ works". there will be a ton of sites on it if www.howstuffworks.com doesn't catch it first.. thats the best way to find out how everything in your car works..

about the shift knob i'm sorry but i wouldn't know

the suspension items are fairly easy to install, and you will most likely need an alignment after installing any of the parts

spl is a good brand high quality products and they are usually cheaper than most other companies

the shaking of the wheel can be the alignment also it a problem with the front suspension, mine was shaking really bad at any speed and it was my problems with tie rods and the boots, i just ordered my new tien rods

http://www.jspec.com/jspec/nismogtsn.html

nismo, black, rubber, what more can you want? good knob, get it now.