Alignment
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
That will depend on how long it takes. I would make sure it goes to someone who has experience aligning Corvettes. Most competent alignment shops charge a fee for the first hour then a little less per hour each additional hour. It cost me $220 to get mine done after I replaced the suspension, ball joints and tie rods.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 811
From: Saskatoon Sask.
How long is a piece of string? Bent parts, broken parts, worn parts, bad tires, bad rims, etc.... take your poison. Reliable shop, shady shop. Busy area, not so busy. You have to check the reputation of the shops in your area and get an estimate.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hi
First check the obvious suspension bushes, wheel bearings and ball joints for play.
If anything is bad replace it then bring it in for a 4 wheel alignment,
I recommend going from standard 3 degrees caster to 6 degrees.
Was changed to 6 degrees on later years to avoid the car darting left or right to follow contours in the road,
Keep camber factory or 0 degrees.
There are set rates for 4 wheel alignments, do not be fooled by LAZY "toe and go" alignment shops asking for more money.
The C4 has an easy to align suspension system, bring your owners manual with say set to standard (Not some figures they pull out their ***)
If they ask for more, say what does a 4 wheel alignment involve? toe and go or camber and caster adjustment as well? then go elsewhere.
I ended up doing my own wheel alignments after having a car go from good before to bad afterwards,
some joker thought negative camber was the way to go....... she would dart dangerously left or right to follow road contours.
I set my car to 0 camber and 6 degrees caster, she became a pleasure to drive.
No longer need both hands on the wheel to take charge, from keeping the car from running of the road following some odd contours on the highway.
Good luck.
First check the obvious suspension bushes, wheel bearings and ball joints for play.
If anything is bad replace it then bring it in for a 4 wheel alignment,
I recommend going from standard 3 degrees caster to 6 degrees.
Was changed to 6 degrees on later years to avoid the car darting left or right to follow contours in the road,
Keep camber factory or 0 degrees.
There are set rates for 4 wheel alignments, do not be fooled by LAZY "toe and go" alignment shops asking for more money.
The C4 has an easy to align suspension system, bring your owners manual with say set to standard (Not some figures they pull out their ***)
If they ask for more, say what does a 4 wheel alignment involve? toe and go or camber and caster adjustment as well? then go elsewhere.
I ended up doing my own wheel alignments after having a car go from good before to bad afterwards,
some joker thought negative camber was the way to go....... she would dart dangerously left or right to follow road contours.
I set my car to 0 camber and 6 degrees caster, she became a pleasure to drive.
No longer need both hands on the wheel to take charge, from keeping the car from running of the road following some odd contours on the highway.
Good luck.
Last edited by gerardvg; Mar 19, 2018 at 12:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
For some reason there seems to be alot of alignment equipment that has a zero camber reading "in the red" or out of spec.
It shouldn't be. Zero camber is what you want unless it's a track car.
It shouldn't be. Zero camber is what you want unless it's a track car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 330
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Make sure you state a non-factory alignment, unless that's what you want. Check around for some good alignment settings, the stock are kind of tame. Up to you.
When looking for a good shop to do alignment, check for a Corvette shop first, get a recommendation there. If no luck, like I did, well, ask a lot of questions and make time to be present or force a deal instead of "take as long as you need". The suspension is too flexible, they can't just sit it on their computer system and make some adjustments, they will chase forever (been there, paid for that, over $250 and still wrong.
).
Really, many suggest doing an alignment yourself, better in the long run. Search around, here's one starter:
http://www.negative-camber.org/jam14...alignment.html
When looking for a good shop to do alignment, check for a Corvette shop first, get a recommendation there. If no luck, like I did, well, ask a lot of questions and make time to be present or force a deal instead of "take as long as you need". The suspension is too flexible, they can't just sit it on their computer system and make some adjustments, they will chase forever (been there, paid for that, over $250 and still wrong.
).Really, many suggest doing an alignment yourself, better in the long run. Search around, here's one starter:
http://www.negative-camber.org/jam14...alignment.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
I'd guess on average between $100-125 if it's a reputable shop that will align this specific car correctly.
Just be sure you are starting with a good suspension. Worn bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc... even a worn steering rack can ruin a good alignment. Or rather I should say, you can't even do a good alignment if these parts are too worn. Some shops won't waste their time trying to align a car that can't keep it's own parts on straight.
Just be sure you are starting with a good suspension. Worn bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc... even a worn steering rack can ruin a good alignment. Or rather I should say, you can't even do a good alignment if these parts are too worn. Some shops won't waste their time trying to align a car that can't keep it's own parts on straight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 56
From: Milan Indiana
alignment
Recently paid $79 for 4 wheel alignment after replacing the rear transverse leaf spring. Thought that was good price- Chevy dealer in Milan Indiana. Another reason to live in the country!!!
Last edited by pnewt; Mar 20, 2018 at 04:10 PM. Reason: more info needed
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 56
From: Milan Indiana
Experienced Corvette guys,Shop Mgr ran Keen parts in Cincy for years. Make sure you find someone experienced with Corvettes as previous posters have said Good Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
A couple of years ago I paid about $160 to have a new to me C6 aligned. The car had some very un-nerving handling characteristics, and figured I'd start with a 4 wheel alignment. The alignment helped a bit - but didn't solve the problem, but at least I knew that the tires were pointing the right way. The 4 Wheel alignment at a good shop took about an hour and change.
Now - I don't completely agree with PatternDayTrader. I don't see anything wrong with a little bit of neg camber on the street. Don't go crazy on a street driven car - but maybe neg 1/2 degree. Just so when you put some cornering load on the tire - it's flatter... Yes - the neg 1/2 degree will give you a bit more inner tire wear - but not enough to lose any sleep over....
Now - I don't completely agree with PatternDayTrader. I don't see anything wrong with a little bit of neg camber on the street. Don't go crazy on a street driven car - but maybe neg 1/2 degree. Just so when you put some cornering load on the tire - it's flatter... Yes - the neg 1/2 degree will give you a bit more inner tire wear - but not enough to lose any sleep over....
