2003 Corvette alignment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 214
Likes: 14
From: Alameda CA and Brick NJ
2003 Corvette alignment
I've posted this previously, but now I need further help. I have an on-going issue with my car's alignment. Left sweeping turns are smooth with little resistance in the steering wheel. During right sweeping turns I feel a slight resistance pulling to the left. I've been to a local shop for an alignment and am still not satisfied (tech gave up).
I live in the East Bay (Alameda) near San Francisco. Can any local members recommend an alignment shop that specializes in Corvettes? I'm willing to travel a reasonable distance.
Thx!
Jerry
I live in the East Bay (Alameda) near San Francisco. Can any local members recommend an alignment shop that specializes in Corvettes? I'm willing to travel a reasonable distance.
Thx!
Jerry
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Have you checked for loose/damaged/worn/sloppy suspension parts?
Like:
Bad wheel bearings?
Bad upper/lower arm bushings?
What shocks are you running? Mileage??
My ZO6 started handling horrible on fast sweeping turns. It would try to leave the highway!
Turned out to be weak C5 ZO6 Shocks.
Like:
Bad wheel bearings?
Bad upper/lower arm bushings?
What shocks are you running? Mileage??
My ZO6 started handling horrible on fast sweeping turns. It would try to leave the highway!
Turned out to be weak C5 ZO6 Shocks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,867
Likes: 250
From: Hillsboro OR
Have you checked for loose/damaged/worn/sloppy suspension parts?
Like:
Bad wheel bearings?
Bad upper/lower arm bushings?
What shocks are you running? Mileage??
My ZO6 started handling horrible on fast sweeping turns. It would try to leave the highway! Turned out to be weak C5 ZO6 Shocks.
Like:
Bad wheel bearings?
Bad upper/lower arm bushings?
What shocks are you running? Mileage??
My ZO6 started handling horrible on fast sweeping turns. It would try to leave the highway!
Turned out to be weak C5 ZO6 Shocks.
I realized that my Gen 1 Pfadt coilovers were worn out on a long sweeping right hand turn at WOT on track. The left rear c/o went into a collapsed/rebound cycle that almost threw me off of the track. Dumped them for Bilsteins & Z06 leafs. 
Last edited by Bluefire; Feb 13, 2017 at 03:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 214
Likes: 14
From: Alameda CA and Brick NJ
2003 Corvette alignment
The suspension was checked and it's OK. I appreciate the advice but at this point I need a Corvette specialist near me to address the issue.
Thx all!
Jerry
Thx all!
Jerry
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
My suggestion is to call a few quality body shops in your area. They sometimes have problems they ca't solve, and send the cars out to a higher skill level . With a few calls, one shop should come up more often. Call that shop and good luck.
IN my area there were two shops on top, almost equal . Then the worker at one shop started his own place and now he has the top spot alone. He only works on cars he digs,mostly race and high performance. Because of the age on my C5, he first checked the wear parts to make sure the work would hold, as he offer no do overs. HE had me sit in the car as he worked, as I usually ride solo, sigh. HE also asked about the usual load the car carries, then went to work with calipers, not electronics, although he uses both, at times. I told him the rear end walked a little bit changing lanes on uneven surfaces at around eighty five mph, so he toed in the rears a bit . I selected a tire wear friendly bias on the adjustment.
It is important to load the suspension for correct adjustments. One extreme example happened with a pick up truck that was wearing through tires very quickly. Turns out the truck was used to deliver newspapers, so the unloaded adjustments just scrubbed the front tries under work use.
IN my area there were two shops on top, almost equal . Then the worker at one shop started his own place and now he has the top spot alone. He only works on cars he digs,mostly race and high performance. Because of the age on my C5, he first checked the wear parts to make sure the work would hold, as he offer no do overs. HE had me sit in the car as he worked, as I usually ride solo, sigh. HE also asked about the usual load the car carries, then went to work with calipers, not electronics, although he uses both, at times. I told him the rear end walked a little bit changing lanes on uneven surfaces at around eighty five mph, so he toed in the rears a bit . I selected a tire wear friendly bias on the adjustment.
It is important to load the suspension for correct adjustments. One extreme example happened with a pick up truck that was wearing through tires very quickly. Turns out the truck was used to deliver newspapers, so the unloaded adjustments just scrubbed the front tries under work use.
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