Help! New alignment and car still pulls left!
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Help! New alignment and car still pulls left!
Just had a new alignment done because my car was pulling to the left. Got it back and it still pulls to the left. The tech said the alignment was dead on and it must be my tires. Will someone let me know if there is anything wrong here so I can go back and have them do it again. Here is what he set it to:
Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
#2
Melting Slicks
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Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
----------------------------------------------
I would question this, for pulling left!
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
----------------------------------------------
I would question this, for pulling left!
#4
Team Owner
Go to the post on section #3. It has all the setting for the alignment for our Vettes and the C5 Z06 as well:
Front Individual Toe +0.04 degree
Front Sum Toe +0.08 degree
Front Individual Caster +6.9 degree
Front Cross Caster within 0.50 degree
Front Individual Camber -0.20 degree
Front Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Rear Individual Toe -0.01 degree
Rear Sum Toe -0.02 degree
Rear Individual Camber -0.18 degree
Rear Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Your Set-up Currently:
Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
Here is the link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Thanks,Matt
Front Individual Toe +0.04 degree
Front Sum Toe +0.08 degree
Front Individual Caster +6.9 degree
Front Cross Caster within 0.50 degree
Front Individual Camber -0.20 degree
Front Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Rear Individual Toe -0.01 degree
Rear Sum Toe -0.02 degree
Rear Individual Camber -0.18 degree
Rear Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Your Set-up Currently:
Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
Here is the link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Thanks,Matt
Last edited by madmatt9471; 12-27-2009 at 04:26 PM.
#5
It could be tire related pull, swap front tires from one side to the other and see if there is a change in the pull. After swap and the pull is gone or to the right, the tires are the problem.
#6
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
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I wouldn't call those settings dead on. Front camber and caster are off from each other and could cause a pulling problem. I would suspect the rear adjustment to be the main culprit. You don't show the thrust angle measurement but the rear toe settings indicate the thrust angle is probably off and causing the rear of the car to steer right which would definitely cause a left pull.
You can do a quick check of the thrust angle in your garage or driveway if you have the proper tools and a helper. If you have a Sears 2 ft laser level put it horizontally across the rear tire with the laser pointing to the front. Have an assistant insert a tape measure through the front wheel so it touches the frame. Adjust the laser to hit the tape measure and read the spot where it touches the tape. Do the same on the other side of the car making sure to use same frame reference point on that side of the car. The assistant might need a flashlight to make sure the frame contact is the same on each side. If the reading on the right side is much greater than the reading on the left side then you have a thrust angle problem. You are making this measurement over a 100 inches so a 1/16 difference isn't large but you can make your own determination on how far off it has to be to be noticed.
One other thing that you need the shop to do is to check to make sure the camber bolts did not come loose. If the tech didn't tighten them properly your alignment may no longer be anywhere near what the printouts say they were.
Bill
You can do a quick check of the thrust angle in your garage or driveway if you have the proper tools and a helper. If you have a Sears 2 ft laser level put it horizontally across the rear tire with the laser pointing to the front. Have an assistant insert a tape measure through the front wheel so it touches the frame. Adjust the laser to hit the tape measure and read the spot where it touches the tape. Do the same on the other side of the car making sure to use same frame reference point on that side of the car. The assistant might need a flashlight to make sure the frame contact is the same on each side. If the reading on the right side is much greater than the reading on the left side then you have a thrust angle problem. You are making this measurement over a 100 inches so a 1/16 difference isn't large but you can make your own determination on how far off it has to be to be noticed.
One other thing that you need the shop to do is to check to make sure the camber bolts did not come loose. If the tech didn't tighten them properly your alignment may no longer be anywhere near what the printouts say they were.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; 12-27-2009 at 06:04 PM.
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I tried this and it didn't work. The tires are directional so they dismounted and remounted them on the other side.
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
I wouldn't call those settings dead on. Front camber and caster are off from each other and could cause a pulling problem. I would suspect the rear adjustment to be the main culprit. You don't show the thrust angle measurement but the rear toe settings indicate the thrust angle is probably off and causing the rear of the car to steer right which would definitely cause a left pull.
You can do a quick check of the thrust angle in your garage or driveway if you have the proper tools and a helper. If you have a Sears 2 ft laser level put it horizontally across the rear tire with the laser pointing to the front. Have an assistant insert a tape measure through the front wheel so it touches the frame. Adjust the laser to hit the tape measure and read the spot where it touches the tape. Do the same on the other side of the car making sure to use same frame reference point on that side of the car. The assistant might need a flashlight to make sure the frame contact is the same on each side. If the reading on the right side is much greater than the reading on the left side then you have a thrust angle problem. You are making this measurement over a 100 inches so a 1/16 difference isn't large but you can make your own determination on how far off it has to be to be noticed.
One other thing that you need the shop to do is to check to make sure the camber bolts did not come loose. If the tech didn't tighten them properly your alignment may no longer be anywhere near what the printouts say they were.
Bill
You can do a quick check of the thrust angle in your garage or driveway if you have the proper tools and a helper. If you have a Sears 2 ft laser level put it horizontally across the rear tire with the laser pointing to the front. Have an assistant insert a tape measure through the front wheel so it touches the frame. Adjust the laser to hit the tape measure and read the spot where it touches the tape. Do the same on the other side of the car making sure to use same frame reference point on that side of the car. The assistant might need a flashlight to make sure the frame contact is the same on each side. If the reading on the right side is much greater than the reading on the left side then you have a thrust angle problem. You are making this measurement over a 100 inches so a 1/16 difference isn't large but you can make your own determination on how far off it has to be to be noticed.
One other thing that you need the shop to do is to check to make sure the camber bolts did not come loose. If the tech didn't tighten them properly your alignment may no longer be anywhere near what the printouts say they were.
Bill
#10
The alignment is not dead on. Too much negative camber on the right wheel and not enough caster on the left. Either one of these will cause it to pull to the left. Not even close to what I would set it. Later! Frank
#11
Racer
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Not even close. Positive toe on one side in the rear and negative on the other is a problem. Discrepancy in the caster and camber on the front between the left and right also. But the rear is probably causing the pull.
#13
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: South Western Ontario
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The front right and both rears camber will likely wear the inside of those tires out fairly quickly and the caster difference between the fronts is likely causing the pull.
I know you're supposed to have some camber for performance driving but if you don't keep these wide tires fairly flat they will wear out on the inside edge pretty quickly.
Peter
I know you're supposed to have some camber for performance driving but if you don't keep these wide tires fairly flat they will wear out on the inside edge pretty quickly.
Peter
#14
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
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Go to the post on section #3. It has all the setting for the alignment for our Vettes and the C5 Z06 as well:
Front Individual Toe +0.04 degree
Front Sum Toe +0.08 degree
Front Individual Caster +6.9 degree
Front Cross Caster within 0.50 degree
Front Individual Camber -0.20 degree
Front Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Rear Individual Toe -0.01 degree
Rear Sum Toe -0.02 degree
Rear Individual Camber -0.18 degree
Rear Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Your Set-up Currently:
Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
Here is the link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Thanks,Matt
Front Individual Toe +0.04 degree
Front Sum Toe +0.08 degree
Front Individual Caster +6.9 degree
Front Cross Caster within 0.50 degree
Front Individual Camber -0.20 degree
Front Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Rear Individual Toe -0.01 degree
Rear Sum Toe -0.02 degree
Rear Individual Camber -0.18 degree
Rear Cross Camber within 0.50 degree
Your Set-up Currently:
Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
Here is the link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Thanks,Matt
Front left:
camber -0.3
caster 6.8
toe .05
front right:
camber -0.6
caster 7.6
toe .03
one or the other above either match the right or left. NO RANGES.
my recommendations for the front
camber: -1.0 (-.3 is not enough and no tech can get that little )
caster Max but equal so: ~ 6.8
Toe your left toe is almost twice as much as your right toe, no mention of IN or OUT.
toe: 1/16" OUT ( again equal on both sides, NO RANGES )
rear left:
camber -0.9
toe .04
rear right:
camber -0.8
toe -.02
Too Far OFF.
notice your front has less camber then the rear. no wonder your car is squirrelly
Rear camber should be 1/2 of front.
plus you have twice as much toe on the left as you do the right rear.
Rear reconditions.
camber -.5*
toe: 1/16" IN
if your tech can not get these EXACT no ranges you must find a better alignment shop
any alignment machine is only as good as the technician.
Remember roads are crowned too allow rain water drainage.Your car should pull slight to the right under normal circumstances when you are in the right lane. and to the left in the left lane.
Find a flat parking lot to check
Last edited by AU N EGL; 12-28-2009 at 10:20 AM.
#15
Melting Slicks
Member Since: May 1999
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You've got a bit of toe-out up front, so that usually makes steering more responsive, but also causes your Vette to wander more. I suggest a zero toe, or a bit of toe-in, if you like more straight line handling.
Rear toe is also off. Go with zero there. Camber should be equal (go with -0.6 on both sides). Plus all the other stuff already mentioned.
good luck!
Rear toe is also off. Go with zero there. Camber should be equal (go with -0.6 on both sides). Plus all the other stuff already mentioned.
good luck!
#17
The .8 difference in caster on the front is a sure way to make your car pull one way or the other in your case is will make it pull left significantly. The rear toe being positive on one side and negative on the other will also make the car pull. In your case rear toe is set the way it is to try and compensate for the excessive caster on your front right. And is probably why your thrust angle is .03 Either way I would find a new alignment shop...
Jim
Jim
Last edited by 2Qwik1; 12-28-2009 at 02:33 PM.
#18
Team Owner
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Location: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
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This is what I recommend to most corvette ownes who love the thrill of a sports car, but not die hard track nuts.
FRONT
Left and right ( must be equal - no ranges)
Camber: -1.0*
Caster: Max but equal ~ 6.8*
toe: 1/16" OUT
REAR
Left and Right ( must be equal - no ranges)
camber: -0.5 ( 1/2 of front)
toe: 1/16" IN
#19
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: South Western Ontario
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Personally, I think -1.0 degree camber on the front will cause inside edge tire wear.
Post #3 here gave the settings and the link to the service manual data - about the middle of the third post in the thread from the link in the third post...
The biggest problem with your numbers is that the car is not aligned equal on both sides.
Peter
Post #3 here gave the settings and the link to the service manual data - about the middle of the third post in the thread from the link in the third post...
The biggest problem with your numbers is that the car is not aligned equal on both sides.
Peter
#20
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Location: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
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Not if your a normal vette driver. If it is a DD and dont do any spirited driving then it might.
I run -3* up front, but then again, most of my driving is on high speed corners
I run -3* up front, but then again, most of my driving is on high speed corners