Yes: any change in ride height moves camber and toe, so a lowered Falcon needs a wheel alignment. That goes for every series from EA to FGX, whether you fitted coilovers or lowering springs. Book it once the suspension is in, the height is set on every corner and the car has settled after about a week of driving. If the aligner can't bring the readings into range with the factory adjustment, that's when adjustable arms or a camber kit come in.
What are camber and toe?
- Camber is how far the top of the tyre leans in or out when you look at the car from the front. Top leaning in is negative camber.
- Toe is whether the front edges of a pair of tyres point towards each other (toe-in) or away from each other (toe-out) when you look down from above.
Both affect how evenly the tyres wear and how straight the car tracks.
Why does lowering change camber and toe?
Suspension arms pivot where they bolt to the body, so the wheel end of each arm moves in an arc as the car goes up and down. Lower the body and every arm sits at a different angle. That changes how far the wheel leans (camber) and which way it points (toe), even though nothing has been bent or worn. It's normal, and it's why the alignment is part of the job, not an extra.
Does the rear need aligning too?
It depends on the rear end your Falcon has:
| Falcon | Rear suspension | What lowering does at the rear |
|---|---|---|
| BA, BF, FG and FGX sedans | Independent rear suspension | Each rear wheel moves on its own arms, so rear camber and toe change too. Ask for a four-wheel alignment. |
| AU sedans | Independent rear suspension or a solid rear axle, depending on the car | IRS cars: as above. Solid axle: the wheels are fixed to the axle housing. Which one have you got? |
| EA to EL sedans | Solid rear axle | The rear wheels are fixed to the axle housing, so the work is at the front. |
| Utes and wagons, every series | Leaf springs and a solid rear axle | As above. FalcX coilovers for utes and wagons are a front pair only. |
Either way, ask the aligner to measure all four wheels so you have the full picture on the printout.
When should I book the alignment?
- Fit the suspension and set the ride height on every corner first. Height before damping, and height before alignment.
- Drive the car for about a week so it settles.
- Measure the height again, hub centre to guard, and fix anything that has moved.
- Then get the alignment done.
- If you change the height again later, get the alignment checked again.
The after-install checks on our install page put this in order with the bolt and adjuster-ring checks.
What should I ask the aligner?
- A printout of the before and after readings for each wheel.
- Whether every reading ended up inside the range they work to.
- If something couldn't be brought into range, which adjustment ran out.
- Whether they found any play in the ball joints, bushes or tie rod ends.
The third answer tells you whether you need parts or just a different height. The fourth tells you whether the alignment will hold.
Will a lowered Falcon wear its tyres?
A lowered car with its alignment set inside range wears its tyres like any other. Uneven wear comes from readings left out of range. Toe that's out scrubs the tyre as it rolls and can wear it quickly. Camber that's well out wears one edge more than the other. That's why the printout matters: it shows what was set, not what was hoped for.
When do you need adjustable arms or a camber kit?
If the factory adjustment runs out before the readings are where they should be, the usual fix is an adjustable arm or a camber kit that adds range. The lower the car, the more likely that is. Before you buy anything, ask the aligner which adjustment ran out and on which wheel.
FalcX adjustable arms for lowered BA–FGX sedans are in development. There are no prices, dates or adjustment figures yet. Leave your email on that page and we'll tell you when they're ready. Our replacement control arms are direct replacements for the factory arms, not adjustable ones.
Worn parts can look like an alignment problem
Tired bushes or ball joints let the wheel move about, and an alignment won't hold on worn parts. If the aligner points out play in the suspension, sort that first, then align. Our guide to replacing a worn ball joint or the whole control arm covers the checks, and the replacement arms are listed by series:
- BA–BF Falcon control arms, front and rear.
- FG–FGX Falcon control arms, including the FG–FGX rear toe arms.
Common questions
Do I need a wheel alignment after fitting coilovers?
Yes. Changing ride height changes camber and toe, so the job isn't finished until the alignment is done. Book it after about a week of driving, once the car has settled and you've re-checked the height.
Do I need a wheel alignment after fitting lowering springs?
Yes, for the same reason. Any change in ride height moves camber and toe.
How much does lowering change camber on a Falcon?
It depends on how far the car comes down and on the series. We don't publish measured figures. The alignment printout for your car is the real answer.
Do I need another alignment if I change the height again?
Yes. Each height change moves camber and toe again, so get it checked after any change.
Are FalcX replacement control arms adjustable?
No. They're direct replacements for worn factory arms. Adjustable arms for lowered BA–FGX sedans are in development.
Lowering with coilovers? See coilovers or lowering springs for your Falcon and fitting and setting up Falcon coilovers. Questions about your setup? Text 0449 887 291 with your series, body style and the alignment printout.
