Four Wheel Alignment
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Troy AL
Four Wheel Alignment
I am taking my 95 coupe to the dealer tomorrow for a 4-wheel alignment. The front tire on the driver's side is showing some wear on the outside edge. I will also probably wind up having at least one u-joint replaced, too.
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?
Thanks!
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by dh1948
I am taking my 95 coupe to the dealer tomorrow for a 4-wheel alignment. The front tire on the driver's side is showing some wear on the outside edge. I will also probably wind up having at least one u-joint replaced, too.
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?Thanks!
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by dh1948
I am taking my 95 coupe to the dealer tomorrow for a 4-wheel alignment. The front tire on the driver's side is showing some wear on the outside edge. I will also probably wind up having at least one u-joint replaced, too.
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?
Thanks!
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by dh1948
I am taking my 95 coupe to the dealer tomorrow for a 4-wheel alignment. The front tire on the driver's side is showing some wear on the outside edge. I will also probably wind up having at least one u-joint replaced, too.
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?
Thanks!
Is there anything I need to be aware of or watch out for as I take my car in for this work?
Thanks!
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
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From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Originally Posted by aboatguy
Here in the Springs, I take my cars to a mom and pop alignment shop. I found it through a recommendation by a local automovite shop owner. I move every few years, and have consistently recieved better service/high quality work from the independents. I believe that this results from the pride of ownership since it is their name and reputation on the line!!! JMHO
Mike
Mike
We have a place that is own/operated by a guy and his son, they do the BEST alignments around here and they are reasonably priced as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
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From: Poop land
Just shop around for shops because there are many shops all over that love to charge you that dreaded Corvette tax! Funny thing is one shop quoted $169 to do a 4 wheel shim alignment and the shop a few blocks down charged me only $65 for the exact same servince, everything, including my "before and after" alignment specs. Took them only 1 hour and my alignment was WAAAAAY off before and now it is perfect!! Unless I'd be hitting another pothole anytime soon.....
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From: Troy AL
Thanks for all the input. The Chevy dealer in Montgomery quoted me $79.95 for the alignment. I live in a small town south of Montgomery that has a couple of tire stores, but I don't think I would trust them to do anything on my Vette. We do have a Chevy dealer in town, but since I am having the u-joints checked too, I decided on this large dealership in Montgomery. (I previously posted that the local Chevy dealer's service manager said he had no one who knew how to replace the joints!)
I will ask for the measurements.
I'll let you all know how this turns out.
I will ask for the measurements.
I'll let you all know how this turns out.
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Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 279
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From: houston texas
Went to have my truck aligned recently front right tire wearing on outside. They asked if i was buying new tires soon bring it back with new tires for a better alignment.......that was a computer alignment which they said would allow for the worn tire and not be aligned when i bought new ones.... 
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
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From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Originally Posted by stormin310
Went to have my truck aligned recently front right tire wearing on outside. They asked if i was buying new tires soon bring it back with new tires for a better alignment.......that was a computer alignment which they said would allow for the worn tire and not be aligned when i bought new ones....
you must have blonde hair and big *****. lol
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by dh1948
Thanks for all the input. The Chevy dealer in Montgomery quoted me $79.95 for the alignment. I live in a small town south of Montgomery that has a couple of tire stores, but I don't think I would trust them to do anything on my Vette. We do have a Chevy dealer in town, but since I am having the u-joints checked too, I decided on this large dealership in Montgomery. (I previously posted that the local Chevy dealer's service manager said he had no one who knew how to replace the joints!)
I will ask for the measurements.
I'll let you all know how this turns out.
I will ask for the measurements.
I'll let you all know how this turns out.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: houston texas
Originally Posted by 87 rag
That's insane.
you must have blonde hair and big *****. lol
you must have blonde hair and big *****. lol
Last edited by stormin310; Oct 6, 2005 at 03:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
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From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Originally Posted by stormin310
Nope had the 2nd alignment shop tell me same thing if you computer align with the badly worn tire it will be perfectly aligned with that worn tire but buy new ones and will need another alignment.....blonde hair and a big D**k and a LT4 which gets me blondes with big *****...lol
I figured the alignment was for the car and wheels, tires had nothing to do with it.
That's two things I've tearned today.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 362
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From: Morristown Tn
Makes Sense......kinda
If it was aligned according to factory specs then the car/wheel theory makes sense. The computers use lasers or something to line em up,so the bad tire theory makes sense as well.....I think. 
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 279
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From: houston texas
When i bought my Corvette about 2 1/2 years ago right front tire was wearing the outer tread. Had my Corvette shop check my alignment he said wasn't out of align and compensated the tow in or something..I bought new Gy F1 GsD3's have about 5k on them now don't see any wear but he didn't computer balance so i guess the worn tire didn't apply. My truck had a wallered out lower ball joint had it replaced...... 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Shelby Township Michigan
The worn tire will definitely affect your alignment. Key is to have consistent air pressure front to back. If you prefer all four with the same pressure, make sure they are set before alignment. If you prefer the fronts at a different pressure than the rears, make sure to let the alignment person know this. Any good aligner will check the tire pressures.
Good luck,
Dino
Good luck,
Dino
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 39
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From: Fulton NY
I recently had an alignment done (~$80) but they did not do the rear because of the limited slip rear end?? They said they'd have to diconnect one of the rear wheels in order to do the rear alignment. Am I being BS'd or are you guys in fact getting a 4 wheel alignment or just 2 ??? Help me understand.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by stormin310
Nope had the 2nd alignment shop tell me same thing if you computer align with the badly worn tire it will be perfectly aligned with that worn tire but buy new ones and will need another alignment.....blonde hair and a big D**k and a LT4 which gets me blondes with big *****...lol
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 1
From: La Grande Oregon
One thing you will get by going to your bow tie store is that they will keep your cars service records in the computer as a reference for past work done. You can also get print outs of past work done this car.
If you are buying a used vette and can find the dealership it came from, they can give you the service records of what was done by the first owner, most dealers keep those records for years, they just need the vin. If they are trying to sell you the car and tell you that they dont keep the records over six months, you dont want that one. joe
If you are buying a used vette and can find the dealership it came from, they can give you the service records of what was done by the first owner, most dealers keep those records for years, they just need the vin. If they are trying to sell you the car and tell you that they dont keep the records over six months, you dont want that one. joe