1996,..Alignment Difficulty
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
1996,..Alignment Difficulty
To deal with a slight pull to the right, I've taken my LT-4 to two very reputable shops who welcome older Vettes; both even have drive-on lifts for our 'low-rides'.
They both showed me the computer read-outs that report the alignments (all four corners) are spot-on to factory specs.
Yet I still have a slight but annoying tug to the right. I even had both my directional front tires removed from their wheel and mounted on the other side of the car thinking the tires could be at fault. Nope.
I also thought that perhaps my brakes could be dragging. Lifted the car and the brakes are perfectly fine.
Ball joints etc are fine.
The car is a very low miles and pampered adult-driven 96 Vette that has never been wrecked (frame is perfect) and has never bounced off curbs.
What should I look at next?
They both showed me the computer read-outs that report the alignments (all four corners) are spot-on to factory specs.
Yet I still have a slight but annoying tug to the right. I even had both my directional front tires removed from their wheel and mounted on the other side of the car thinking the tires could be at fault. Nope.
I also thought that perhaps my brakes could be dragging. Lifted the car and the brakes are perfectly fine.
Ball joints etc are fine.
The car is a very low miles and pampered adult-driven 96 Vette that has never been wrecked (frame is perfect) and has never bounced off curbs.
What should I look at next?
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Sep 17, 2010 at 12:56 AM.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
Are both rear wheels/half shafts rotating freely?
Maybe sounds idiotic, but if one of them isn´t, it could cause pulling to a side.
Just lift the rear and rotate them, or rotate the drive axle (from the gearbox) and see if both right and left H shaft rotate freely and same number of turns.
If not, might be something going on in the differential.
Just an easy test to rule that out.
Maybe sounds idiotic, but if one of them isn´t, it could cause pulling to a side.
Just lift the rear and rotate them, or rotate the drive axle (from the gearbox) and see if both right and left H shaft rotate freely and same number of turns.
If not, might be something going on in the differential.
Just an easy test to rule that out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
You can balance a square (tires) and you can align a car with the steering wheel way off center - which is common in Vettes. Directional tires can cause this regardless of re-mounting as well. My best guess is two tech that didnt properly brace your steering wheel straight then the car was aligned. Both will show perfect numbers and still have a pull
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,939
Likes: 705
From: WI
On a single lane it should pull to the right. On a two lane and with you in the left lane, it should pull to the left. Due to the crown in the road. Also alignment places may setup (and that could be factory spec!!!) a car to pull to the right, because if you fall asleep it will go onto the shoulder instead of into oncoming traffic!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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A computer readout is one thing but in reality it pulls to the right. I had the same problem with my 95. Likely caster is off but, do not discard the possibility of bad suspension parts.
You need to take it to a place where a guy knows alignment. A place that after they are done with the shims and computer adjustments take the Vette for a ride and would adjust the caster for the Vette to drive straight. These computers take the Vette to the OEM specs, the tech just looks at the animation and when it reaches "0", "its aligned".
I learned from him how to do it, switching shims and that also changes your toe. Alignment is a PITA, patience and determination is needed to achieve it's accomplishment.
I kinda did my own street performance alignment after my mishap at the alignment shop.
You need to take it to a place where a guy knows alignment. A place that after they are done with the shims and computer adjustments take the Vette for a ride and would adjust the caster for the Vette to drive straight. These computers take the Vette to the OEM specs, the tech just looks at the animation and when it reaches "0", "its aligned".
I learned from him how to do it, switching shims and that also changes your toe. Alignment is a PITA, patience and determination is needed to achieve it's accomplishment.
I kinda did my own street performance alignment after my mishap at the alignment shop.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,697
Likes: 1,666
From: moraga ca
I do my own alignments with tools similar to above. I spend more time and care on my car than any shop will. If all the rotating stuff checks out, you need to increase the caster on the right or decrease the caster on the left. A car will drift to the side of the least caster. Also, double check the thrust angle. Take a 4' straight bar and place it next to the rear tires. Sight along the rod and mark where it intersects the front tires. Mark this spot on the garage floor on both sides. This distance from the front tire should be equal. If not, your car will drift. Sort of hard to explain, but maybe the picture will help. Willie
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Thanks everybody. Great advice! Thanks for the photos!
I've ruled out:
a) Dragging brakes
b) Crowned roads (she can pull right on either side of a highway crown)
c) Worn front end or suspension parts
d) Bad tires
But your tips have me thinking. I have couple of questions.
1) How accurate and reliable are the new computer alignment machines?
2) Secondly, if I use my long 5' straight edge (as shown above by 383vett) and determine the toe is off, I thought I'd make my own tie-rod adjustments,..align the steering wheel, then adjust the tie-rods, drive, test, use the straight edge, adjust tie-rods, drive, etc. Any problems with that? I don't have any alignment tools other than a 5' straight edge used for cutting carpet.
Please advise and thanks for the tips!
I've ruled out:
a) Dragging brakes
b) Crowned roads (she can pull right on either side of a highway crown)
c) Worn front end or suspension parts
d) Bad tires
But your tips have me thinking. I have couple of questions.
1) How accurate and reliable are the new computer alignment machines?
2) Secondly, if I use my long 5' straight edge (as shown above by 383vett) and determine the toe is off, I thought I'd make my own tie-rod adjustments,..align the steering wheel, then adjust the tie-rods, drive, test, use the straight edge, adjust tie-rods, drive, etc. Any problems with that? I don't have any alignment tools other than a 5' straight edge used for cutting carpet.
Please advise and thanks for the tips!
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Sep 17, 2010 at 01:15 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,697
Likes: 1,666
From: moraga ca
There is a way to check toe with your straight edges. You'll have to measure the distance between the bars going forward and backwards and compare the readings. I use this gizmo I bought years ago that is quick and pretty accurate.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
All awesome recommendations.The computer alignment machines that use lasers are more accurate than many ALMOST anyone.There are very good Technicians that can align a car with basic tools as good as high-end alignment equipment.Its hard for me to see 1/2 a degree but some very experienced Techs(Nascar) do alignments with basic equipment & can see if the vehicle is out of alignment by just looking at it.What are the specs on the printout they gave you?That way we can see.Did "they" do a 4 wheel alignment?Any abnormal tire wear?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
I do my own alignments with tools similar to above. I spend more time and care on my car than any shop will. If all the rotating stuff checks out, you need to increase the caster on the right or decrease the caster on the left. A car will drift to the side of the least caster. Also, double check the thrust angle. Take a 4' straight bar and place it next to the rear tires. Sight along the rod and mark where it intersects the front tires. Mark this spot on the garage floor on both sides. This distance from the front tire should be equal. If not, your car will drift. Sort of hard to explain, but maybe the picture will help. Willie
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
Thanks everybody. Great advice! Thanks for the photos!
I've ruled out:
a) Dragging brakes
b) Crowned roads (she can pull right on either side of a highway crown)
c) Worn front end or suspension parts
d) Bad tires
But your tips have me thinking. I have couple of questions.
1) How accurate and reliable are the new computer alignment machines?
2) Secondly, if I use my long 5' straight edge (as shown above by 383vett) and determine the toe is off, I thought I'd make my own tie-rod adjustments,..align the steering wheel, then adjust the tie-rods, drive, test, use the straight edge, adjust tie-rods, drive, etc. Any problems with that? I don't have any alignment tools other than a 5' straight edge used for cutting carpet.
Please advise and thanks for the tips!
I've ruled out:
a) Dragging brakes
b) Crowned roads (she can pull right on either side of a highway crown)
c) Worn front end or suspension parts
d) Bad tires
But your tips have me thinking. I have couple of questions.
1) How accurate and reliable are the new computer alignment machines?
2) Secondly, if I use my long 5' straight edge (as shown above by 383vett) and determine the toe is off, I thought I'd make my own tie-rod adjustments,..align the steering wheel, then adjust the tie-rods, drive, test, use the straight edge, adjust tie-rods, drive, etc. Any problems with that? I don't have any alignment tools other than a 5' straight edge used for cutting carpet.
Please advise and thanks for the tips!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Maybe not. If a loaded tire tends to roll to the right, it may do that on either side of the car. The fix is to adjust caster split. You want more caster on the right or less on the left. I would just move a shim from front to back on the left side and see if that helps.
