The factory allignment settings on my new Z06 were:

LF - Camber -1.0;.... Caster 5.8;..... Toe +0.15

RF- Camber -0.7;.... Caster 6.8;.... Toe -0.37

LR- Camber -0.5;.... Toe -0.05

RR- Camber-0.5;.... Toe +0.8

As you can see there is NOT too much consistency here, so if you are getting some wierd tire ware or strange feeling on your new Z06, if could be caused from the slopy allignment work done on you're new car at the factory.

The specs for camber is -0.7 on the front and -0.68 on the rear, so those setting were fairly good. The specs on Caster is 6.9 on the front (no spec on the rear), so the left was fairly close and the read quite a way off. The specs on toe is +0.04 on the front and -0.1 on the rear, so the toe settings were quite a way off in both directions. This is REAL SLOPY WORK by Chevrolet.

Don't assume that your new Z06 was alligned properly at the factory. It's a real shame that a $50,000 car can't leave the factory with the correct allignment settings.

After these measurements were made, I lowered the suspension by 3/4" and had it alligned to factory specs, except for Camber, which I had set at -1.5 in the front and -1.2 in the rear. While these setting will ware the inside of the tires on the street, on the track these settings will make the handling and steering very responsive, and actually improve tire ware.

Jim Helm

 

GM checks every 1 out of every 20 or so Corvettes and makes line adjustments. It works for tire wear and normal street driving. Get your Corvette aligned if you are going to do any performance driving!

 

Jim,
Thanks for posting that info.
I also had a similar experience when mine was new. I lowered it as soon as I got it and had it aligned. The car had about 200 miles on it. The right rear toe was so far off that it could not have been close to specs before the car was lowered. I was not very happy.
Do you have the alignment sheet when you put the car on the rack after lowering (before adjustments were made)? This would be a good comparison to look at and see how much alignment changes when the car is lowered.
I guess, too, we are assuming the alignment equipment you and I used were accurate.
I don't have my manual in front of me but are the numbers you posted within factory specs?
Also, if the front wheels are pointed straight shouldn't the front toe be equal side to side? Bottom line is total toe but just curious.
Dave


[Modified by corvette dave, 10:09 PM 3/23/2004]

 

Both front Toe settings were out of the spec range of -0.06 to +0.14

The LF Caster setting of 5.8 was out of the 6.4 to 7.4 range

The front Cross Caster was 1.0 which also exceeded the allowable range.

In the rear the settings were within the allowable ranges.

You're right, the toe should be the same (or equal) from side to side. The nominal preferred settings for toe are +0.04 in the front and -0.01 in the rear.

The shop I take my car to is an excellent Bear Alignment Center in Wilmington, DE. They have excellent equipment and people, and really is the only one in this area that I can get the car on ond off the alignment station without scraping something. It is completely flat with no ramps to go up onto.

Jim

 

I guess I was lucky, mine was within specs, until I maxed out the camber :yesnod: :)

 

I lowered mine also with ~5k miles on it with the help of Corvette Dave. When he checked my alignment before adjusting, the right front was so far off that it could not register a reading (the laser beam was not even hitting the detector). Anyway, he straigtened it out and all has been well since.


[Modified by Piranha, 3:28 PM 3/24/2004]

 

 

IMOP for what's it worth. I owned a 2002 vert 6MN for two years. after the first 30k it looked like I still had enough tread life to go a few more miles until one day while washing my c5 I turned the front wheels all the way to the stop. I noticed that all the tread was gone from the inside of the tire, both front tires were the same. When the car was brand new I complained to the dealer, I thought the car was out of alinement, they checked and assured me it was OK. So, I complained again at 30k and they then said that 30k was pretty good milage for the tires.I was ok with that but after reading alot on this forum some of c5 owners had places that will set your alinement to your specs. So, I found at Good Year tire store near me that would do just that. I had mine set at Zero Camber and zero toe. For maxium tire wear. And I didn't notice that much difference while auto-crossing but I'm just a newbee. I drive and race just for my own enjoyment. I love the car and everthing that goes with it, the great friends at corvette clubs etc,etc,etc. Now I own a 2004 Torch Red Z06!!! :flag :flag :flag :flag

 

All I can say is that you were not fish-tailing around corners enough to balance out the wear on the outside of your tires...ha ha. :rofl: