alignment
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
90% of shops today don't know how to align an older double-A-arm car like a C4. They'll put it on the rack, maybe adjust toe if it's too far out of spec, and call it good. That's not acceptable for what they tend to charge, and you can get a set of cheap toe plates and check/adjust the toe yourself. If you've never had your car aligned, I think it would be worth checking your alignment if your tires are wearing unevenly, but only if the shop is willing to adjust toe, camber, and caster up front and toe and camber in back. This is especially true if your tires wore unevenly. OTOH, if your bushings, ball joints, U-joints, and tie rods are all original, I'd probably do a very thorough check of all those first and replace anything that's worn out before spending money on an alignment.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 396
From: Northwest Ohio
90% of shops today don't know how to align an older double-A-arm car like a C4. They'll put it on the rack, maybe adjust toe if it's too far out of spec, and call it good. That's not acceptable for what they tend to charge, and you can get a set of cheap toe plates and check/adjust the toe yourself. If you've never had your car aligned, I think it would be worth checking your alignment if your tires are wearing unevenly, but only if the shop is willing to adjust toe, camber, and caster up front and toe and camber in back. This is especially true if your tires wore unevenly. OTOH, if your bushings, ball joints, U-joints, and tie rods are all original, I'd probably do a very thorough check of all those first and replace anything that's worn out before spending money on an alignment.
I am lucky that ACI Vette is a few miles from me... so I had them mount and balance my new tires and do a full alignment when I got my 93. First thing out of their mouth when I called was they would align as long as my bushings etc...were not shot (good sign!). Luckily mine are still ok enough, the alignment has been very good and the steering wheel was set perfectly centered... With the alignment I can actually feel if and what tire might need a little air based on the car not tracking perfectly straight.
if you can find a good shop it won’t be as cheap but definitely worth it, and you want one that won’t just do an alignment to get your money when your components are worn.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Even the cheap tires aren't inexpensive so alignment should atleast be checked..Pre alignment inspection should inform you of worn, loose, and broken suspension parts. As far as alignment shops local corvette, classic.or sports car clubs should be able to provide referral.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
I only go to places that specialize in alignments. All the info they need is in the computer. They should give you a computer readout of before and after so you know what they did. The problem I ran into is the scheduling guy says Corvettes are harder to align so they have to charge more. I asked the tech why they wanted to charge me more and he said "he's thinking of c3's, they need special shims for the rear and it takes much more time to get it right. C4's are easy."
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 396
From: Northwest Ohio
Not to go off topic but it depends on what you want, I have Riken Raptors (down one size) and they were around 100/tire and they do well (and I don’t have to worry about cold weather driving). I plan on getting some aftermarket rims at some point with some pure summer tires and using these rims/tires when the weather gets cold and for when it sits when there is brine/salt on the roads. This will limit me to JL55 brake upgrade but probably worth the flexibility..