Wheel Alignment Question...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 905
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From: Started out together Now we're both retired
St. Jude Donor '06
Wheel Alignment Question...
I seen post where members have asked questions or made comments about getting there corvette wheels aligned. However they talk about all 4 wheels. Over the years I have had numerous wheel alignments done, not so much on newer cars, but it has only been the front wheels. What is there about a 'vette that requires 4 wheel alignment? Does it have something to do with the suspension? Are most alingment shops aware of this? Thanx.Vic
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by JCAIRE2
on the vette, the rear wheels must be aligned first to set the thrust angle of the car, then the front wheels are aligned to the thrust angle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
If the alignment shop isn't aware of how to specifically align your Vette (front and rear tires separately), walk, no run away. Or, you may drive for a short time after your car has been aligned improperly and your tires will be destroyed. And as we all know, Corvette tires aren't the cheapest in the bunch.
To digress, I remember way back when, I had a Nissan Sentra and it had 13 inch tires. It cost about $100 to put tires all around. You can't even buy 1/2 a tire for a Vette nowadays for that price.
I wish I were in Kansas and was wearing red shoes so I could click them and make a wish to go back in time 20 or so years. Those prices back then were a bit more to my liking. Gas was about $.85 a gallon and you could get a real decent car for under $10K. Times sure have changed. And so did the way we do alignments.
I somehow had to bring this all together.
To digress, I remember way back when, I had a Nissan Sentra and it had 13 inch tires. It cost about $100 to put tires all around. You can't even buy 1/2 a tire for a Vette nowadays for that price.
I wish I were in Kansas and was wearing red shoes so I could click them and make a wish to go back in time 20 or so years. Those prices back then were a bit more to my liking. Gas was about $.85 a gallon and you could get a real decent car for under $10K. Times sure have changed. And so did the way we do alignments.
I somehow had to bring this all together.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Ask around, find a good shop. Ensure they give you a print out of the before and after specs. Follow this link to VBand P. Tell the shop to use the advanced street settings for your year of Vette. they will help your cornering and virtually eliminate tramlining.
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
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St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by rws.1
Ask around, find a good shop. Ensure they give you a print out of the before and after specs. Follow this link to VBand P. Tell the shop to use the advanced street settings for your year of Vette. they will help your cornering and virtually eliminate tramlining.
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
Thanks rws.1
I've been looking for this stuff.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Most vehicles on the road today (I didn't say most new cars) have a rear suspension that cannot be adjusted for alignment (solid axle).
The cars with more advanced rear suspensions (independant) can be aligned....our Corvettes are counted among that group.
Larry
code5coupe
The cars with more advanced rear suspensions (independant) can be aligned....our Corvettes are counted among that group.
Larry
code5coupe
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10
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I haer you Dorthy
Originally Posted by 85 500 horse
If the alignment shop isn't aware of how to specifically align your Vette (front and rear tires separately), walk, no run away. Or, you may drive for a short time after your car has been aligned improperly and your tires will be destroyed. And as we all know, Corvette tires aren't the cheapest in the bunch.
To digress, I remember way back when, I had a Nissan Sentra and it had 13 inch tires. It cost about $100 to put tires all around. You can't even buy 1/2 a tire for a Vette nowadays for that price.
I wish I were in Kansas and was wearing red shoes so I could click them and make a wish to go back in time 20 or so years. Those prices back then were a bit more to my liking. Gas was about $.85 a gallon and you could get a real decent car for under $10K. Times sure have changed. And so did the way we do alignments.
I somehow had to bring this all together.
To digress, I remember way back when, I had a Nissan Sentra and it had 13 inch tires. It cost about $100 to put tires all around. You can't even buy 1/2 a tire for a Vette nowadays for that price.
I wish I were in Kansas and was wearing red shoes so I could click them and make a wish to go back in time 20 or so years. Those prices back then were a bit more to my liking. Gas was about $.85 a gallon and you could get a real decent car for under $10K. Times sure have changed. And so did the way we do alignments.
I somehow had to bring this all together.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
All C4 rear alignment specs include camber and toe setting so any competent shop can do a good job on your car. Most all of the current alignment racks will provide a printout of the before and after settings.
Expect to pay around $75-90 for a good job. I would call around and ask tire shops or reputable repair shops about costs and any issues with bringing your own alignment specs.
Personally, I would stay away from Sears, Firestone and other chain stores unless you know first-hand about the quality of the work. There are places that will do what is called a "toe and go" where the front toe-in is set and they do nothing else and charge you for a full 4-wheel alingment.
Also beware of shops that tell you that you have to replace a bunch of components before they can do an effective alignment. Unless you know what condition your suspension components are in before you go for an alignment, you could wind up having unecessary repairs being pushed on you.
Expect to pay around $75-90 for a good job. I would call around and ask tire shops or reputable repair shops about costs and any issues with bringing your own alignment specs.
Personally, I would stay away from Sears, Firestone and other chain stores unless you know first-hand about the quality of the work. There are places that will do what is called a "toe and go" where the front toe-in is set and they do nothing else and charge you for a full 4-wheel alingment.
Also beware of shops that tell you that you have to replace a bunch of components before they can do an effective alignment. Unless you know what condition your suspension components are in before you go for an alignment, you could wind up having unecessary repairs being pushed on you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Last week i went to a shop that does aligmnents only...NOTHING ELSE!
I paid $150 for a computerized 4 wheel alignment.
They aligned the car with me seating in it!!
They spent 3 hours WORKING ON IT and got it perfect.
A month before that i paid $59 for an alignment to a generic tire shop and they were done in 10-15 minutes...
Print out before and after shows how much off my wheels were and thats after being aligned manually without a computer to a cheap shop!
If you live in So Cal i`ll be glad to give you the name and ph # of the shop. I WAS IMPRESSED
I paid $150 for a computerized 4 wheel alignment.
They aligned the car with me seating in it!!
They spent 3 hours WORKING ON IT and got it perfect.
A month before that i paid $59 for an alignment to a generic tire shop and they were done in 10-15 minutes...
Print out before and after shows how much off my wheels were and thats after being aligned manually without a computer to a cheap shop!
If you live in So Cal i`ll be glad to give you the name and ph # of the shop. I WAS IMPRESSED
Hey, thanks to all of you who replied back. My 96 LT1 doesn't need one, but I was just curious.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 844
Likes: 8
From: Butler PA
You might also consider a 4 wheel alignment with you sitting
in the driver's seat. Only, however, if you're the main driver and rarely have passengers. I've raced FIAT's (road racing) and this is the alignment of choice.
in the driver's seat. Only, however, if you're the main driver and rarely have passengers. I've raced FIAT's (road racing) and this is the alignment of choice.
