alignment
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: South Meriden Ct.
alignment
I have an 86 convertible and am currently using 94 rims and tires with spacers. I replaced all 4 bearings, 4 shocks and right and left upper,lower control rods in the rear. I had the car aligned and a week later went to get the steering wheel straightened and the alignment was off. The car was realigned free of charge. Is there a problem with the spacers being used. I also purchased 2 new front tires because the old ones were chopped up only after putting 8,000 highway miles on them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth,Va USA
Re: alignment (iperez86)
I don't think you have a problem as to the spacers..
I have had mine 4 wheel aligned 2 different times with the spacers on my 87 at a specialty front end shop with out issue..
I think you had a human error with the person who did the work the 1st time..It should have been aligned with the steering wheel centered
Chopped tires should have been a balance problem..
I am NOT an expert..so others might have more info for you..
Stay safe
I have had mine 4 wheel aligned 2 different times with the spacers on my 87 at a specialty front end shop with out issue..
I think you had a human error with the person who did the work the 1st time..It should have been aligned with the steering wheel centered
Chopped tires should have been a balance problem..
I am NOT an expert..so others might have more info for you..
Stay safe
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Newnan Ga
Re: alignment (iperez86)
It does sound like the guy didn't get your alignment right the first time or maybe there is still something wrong with the suspension. You have to bounce the car after making extreme adjustments to make it settle in and readjust. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "chopped up" on the front tires, but something was not right. It could be a combination of things. It could be your tire balance, your driving habits or even the tires. It they are wearing off on the inside or outside you still have a suspension or alignment problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: alignment (87NassauBlue)
I made the mistake of letting Pep Boys do an alignment on my car earlier this year and in less than 500 miles I had to buy two new front tires.
Too much positive camber completely wore out the outside edges.
I used the Gm Service Manual to find out how much a certain thickness shim would change the camber and did the math. I removed shims from both sides and the car now rides like it's on rails.
I've been keeping a really close check on the wear of the new tires and in a few thousand miles no wear is noticable. I look a the time little nibs that are on all new tires' inside and outside edges and they are stilll there and equal.
I know I was just lucky, but, hey, I couldn't have done any worse than Pep Boys did. If the handling had gone south after I removed the shims, I would have immediately found a shop specializing in Vette alignments, but since my results have been so positive, well . .
Moral, be sure to get it aligned by a shop that specializes in Vettes. Oh, yea, and skip Pep Boys.
Jake
(Of course they claim they set it to factory specs - RIGHT!!!)
Too much positive camber completely wore out the outside edges.
I used the Gm Service Manual to find out how much a certain thickness shim would change the camber and did the math. I removed shims from both sides and the car now rides like it's on rails.
I've been keeping a really close check on the wear of the new tires and in a few thousand miles no wear is noticable. I look a the time little nibs that are on all new tires' inside and outside edges and they are stilll there and equal.
I know I was just lucky, but, hey, I couldn't have done any worse than Pep Boys did. If the handling had gone south after I removed the shims, I would have immediately found a shop specializing in Vette alignments, but since my results have been so positive, well . .
Moral, be sure to get it aligned by a shop that specializes in Vettes. Oh, yea, and skip Pep Boys.
Jake
(Of course they claim they set it to factory specs - RIGHT!!!)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
Re: alignment (iperez86)
Hi
Check out my prior post on how to align your c-4 yourself.
I agree with the other responces those people screwed up!!!
Make sure when they do it to completely settle the supsension. Jouncing up and down 3 times won't cut as Corvettes springs and shocks are stiff. Also the fat tires don't help.
The best way to settle the supsenion is to drive it and then re-check all adjustments.
Good luck
Steven
Check out my prior post on how to align your c-4 yourself.
I agree with the other responces those people screwed up!!!
Make sure when they do it to completely settle the supsension. Jouncing up and down 3 times won't cut as Corvettes springs and shocks are stiff. Also the fat tires don't help.
The best way to settle the supsenion is to drive it and then re-check all adjustments.
Good luck
Steven
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