i say it's 
Alignment cost after lowering?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 19
From: Hilton Head Island, SC
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Alignment cost after lowering?
I lowered my 03 about 500 miles ago. According to all the wisdom I took it in for an alignment today. The shop told me there was an excessive amount of negative cambra due to lowering and the alignement cost would be double the normal. Any insight on that situation?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: I have to return some videotapes
Sounds like a classic case of Corvette tax. I'd also suggest taking it to a shop that deals with Vettes or other performance cars, or do some asking around about alignment specs so you can tell the shop what you want. The setup can really change how a C5 handles.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 19
From: Hilton Head Island, SC
Cruise-In VII Veteran
This is the 3rd shop I went to and evidently the only one in town that can get it on a rack since being lowered. They actuall have a pit. My normal shop sent me over there. I wish I had a second opinion shop!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 19
From: Hilton Head Island, SC
Cruise-In VII Veteran
...the rest of the story... The after-drop-off quote I got was $125 because of the extra "negative cambra". I went to pick up my car and told the guy that I thought he was taking advantage of things and basically charging me an exorbitant amount because it was a Vette. He disagreed and charged me $39 for the 4-wheel alignment.
THANKS guys for your input!!! The next thread should be... "Why mechanics hate forums!"
THANKS guys for your input!!! The next thread should be... "Why mechanics hate forums!"
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: Anderson South Carolina
I just got a very reasonable quote froma shop down the road of $55 for a four wheel alignment, they have done several vettes and well as a viper that is owned by the owner of the dealership that I work at. I found it funny that my owner wont let his own service dept work on his car. We are a dual store that has dodge and honda.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I paid $88 including tax for a 4 wheel computerised alignment at National Tire & Battery. After lowering with C6 adjusters in the front and 7" bolts in the rear. And it wasn't done in a pit. I suggest you shop around (by phone) until you find an alignment shop that knows what to expect from your Vette. It shouldn't be that uncommon.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 9
From: Ivins, Utah
I will be paying $90.00 at the dealership for a 4 wheel alignment .... tomorrow.
My "tomorrow" alignment didn't work out, they told me they could not do my alignment because their machine was out of calibration.
I made an appointment for next week, but I may look elsewhere.
My "tomorrow" alignment didn't work out, they told me they could not do my alignment because their machine was out of calibration.
I made an appointment for next week, but I may look elsewhere.
Last edited by Secret237; Feb 11, 2007 at 11:28 AM. Reason: Update
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 0
From: arlington tx
am i the only one thats slacking around here? mines been lowered for two years now and besides the rears going bald for "no apparent reason" 
my tires have perfect wear- the fronts looked brand new when i replaced all four with non runflats. perhaps its because i dont drive it alot? i dunno. its been driven probally 10k miles or a little more since its been lowered....
my tires have perfect wear- the fronts looked brand new when i replaced all four with non runflats. perhaps its because i dont drive it alot? i dunno. its been driven probally 10k miles or a little more since its been lowered....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,535
Likes: 921
From: Communist Colorado
First of all its "camber" not cambra....Second, tell the shop to pack salt.....theyre trying to rip you off. I did the same thing you did & even at the GM dealer it was around $90. for a 4 wheel alignment.
Even though he came down in price, he initially tried to rob you. I'd never step foot inside that shop again.
Even though he came down in price, he initially tried to rob you. I'd never step foot inside that shop again.
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Glad you got it done for a much more reasonable price, but the fact that they were wanting to charge you that much in the first place tells me a lot about their practices. Probably wouldn't go back there again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,171
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From: TN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
.....Front and rear camber adjustments are included in the price of an alignment, and it's not any harder to adjust it just because it's lowered, that it somewhere else. I just hate it when bad "mechanics" try to take advantage of people
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 456
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From: Western MA
Melting Slicks
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From: canada