[Z06] Alignment Expert help needed
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
From: Thompson Falls MT
Alignment Expert help needed
My local Firestone shop normally does my alignment and I believe the guy is fairly competent. 2 years ago I had them set my camber at -1.5d all the way around. I paid for the lifetime alignment so I can go back and have it checked from time to time. Shortly after he aligned the car I won a corner balance and alignment from a local speed shop. They said the alignment was slightly off the -1.5 setting but they trued it up, along with the corner balancing. The car really held the road well after coming out of their shop.
Now comes the question. Does having the corner balance work done spoil my ability to get a good alignment by anyone other than a speed shop? I mean, does the alignment shop need to factor in the corner balancing into their equipment when they do an alignment? Or is it that an alignment is an alignment is an alignment and that once the suspension has been adjusted for the corner balancing, the alignment is standard?
Also, I'm just slightly starting to chew up the inner 2" on the driver's side. Someone else told me for a slightly aggressive alignment I should be at -1.5d camber on front and -1.0d on back. I track the car 1-2 times a year and autocross maybe 5 times. TIA
Now comes the question. Does having the corner balance work done spoil my ability to get a good alignment by anyone other than a speed shop? I mean, does the alignment shop need to factor in the corner balancing into their equipment when they do an alignment? Or is it that an alignment is an alignment is an alignment and that once the suspension has been adjusted for the corner balancing, the alignment is standard?
Also, I'm just slightly starting to chew up the inner 2" on the driver's side. Someone else told me for a slightly aggressive alignment I should be at -1.5d camber on front and -1.0d on back. I track the car 1-2 times a year and autocross maybe 5 times. TIA
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 1
From: San Angelo TX
To adjust the corner weights on these cars you are basically adjusting the ride height. This changes the alignment by small amounts and that is why you should check and adjust the alignment after you do this. Assuming your shop doesn't mess with the ride height adjusters and assuming they have not moved around on you, your corner weights should still be good and you can just get an alignment as normal.
Are you only wearing the rear driver's side out or both tires on the driver's side? Also when you got the car set up, were you or someone/something your weight in the driver's seat?
Are you only wearing the rear driver's side out or both tires on the driver's side? Also when you got the car set up, were you or someone/something your weight in the driver's seat?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 1
From: San Angelo TX
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
From: Thompson Falls MT
To adjust the corner weights on these cars you are basically adjusting the ride height. This changes the alignment by small amounts and that is why you should check and adjust the alignment after you do this. Assuming your shop doesn't mess with the ride height adjusters and assuming they have not moved around on you, your corner weights should still be good and you can just get an alignment as normal.
Are you only wearing the rear driver's side out or both tires on the driver's side? Also when you got the car set up, were you or someone/something your weight in the driver's seat?
Are you only wearing the rear driver's side out or both tires on the driver's side? Also when you got the car set up, were you or someone/something your weight in the driver's seat?
What about the amount of camber I was recommended?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
Most regular alignment shops don't perform the alignment with your weight in the drivers seat like racing shops do (Speedware?). I believe this slightly alters the camber side to side.
I would honestly just stick with the racing shop doing your alignment. They have alot more experience with the way you're using your vehicle. Spend a few minutes talking with the technician and they should be able to recommend a setup to help with your few track runs without overly compromising your street durability.
I would honestly just stick with the racing shop doing your alignment. They have alot more experience with the way you're using your vehicle. Spend a few minutes talking with the technician and they should be able to recommend a setup to help with your few track runs without overly compromising your street durability.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 230
From: Livingston County, Michigan
Toe settings can also contribute to the tire wear issue. What are the toe settings?
For a proper corner balance, not only should the driver weight be simulated, but the sway bars disconnected (no pre-load) and ideally the fuel load is at your preferred competition amount.
You can get a lot more than -1.5 camber up front pretty easily, but it'll, naturally, just worsen your wear issue. But -1.5 in the rear is pretty much the achieveable stock limit.
For a proper corner balance, not only should the driver weight be simulated, but the sway bars disconnected (no pre-load) and ideally the fuel load is at your preferred competition amount.
You can get a lot more than -1.5 camber up front pretty easily, but it'll, naturally, just worsen your wear issue. But -1.5 in the rear is pretty much the achieveable stock limit.
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