[Z06] alignment issues??
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
alignment issues??
Anyone had or heard of any factory issues with the front end?
I have an 03 Z that is awaiting some new front tires due to the fact that the inside front left wore all the way through and went flat on me while driving.
I figured it was a road hazard until the shop told me the insides of both front were wore the same. Said the toe was out of alignment. I definately didnt feel it in the handling. The tires are shot though with less then 15k on them.
I dont have any alignment readings yet. The wheels get put back on tomorrow with a 4 wheel alignment.
Input?
I have an 03 Z that is awaiting some new front tires due to the fact that the inside front left wore all the way through and went flat on me while driving.
I figured it was a road hazard until the shop told me the insides of both front were wore the same. Said the toe was out of alignment. I definately didnt feel it in the handling. The tires are shot though with less then 15k on them.
I dont have any alignment readings yet. The wheels get put back on tomorrow with a 4 wheel alignment.
Input?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
My guess is that it wasn't your toe that caused the wear, it was the camber. If the car is driven mostly on the highway, any camber (leaning in or out) on wide tires will wear the edge.
The first thing I did when I got my latest toy, was to have the dealer do a 4 wheel alignment, and among other things, set the camber to 0 (actually .01 degrees).
It was a struggle to get them to do it early - they'll try and talk you into waiting to 5K miles - but they capitulated when I asked them to agree to replace the tires if there was any camber wear at 5K miles (8K kilometeres up here in Canada - where it's snowing today).
The first thing I did when I got my latest toy, was to have the dealer do a 4 wheel alignment, and among other things, set the camber to 0 (actually .01 degrees).
It was a struggle to get them to do it early - they'll try and talk you into waiting to 5K miles - but they capitulated when I asked them to agree to replace the tires if there was any camber wear at 5K miles (8K kilometeres up here in Canada - where it's snowing today).
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Nesconset (LI) NY
In addition to previous reply, if you look at a new set of F1 SC's, you will notice the inner tread starts out with less height than the outer treads (rain side). I would imagine that with even wear the insides will wear out sooner than the outsides. However, I just got my 04 Z new back in June, so time will tell what I see, but that was one observation I noticed right away.
Sorry .. had it reversed guess my brain is on vacation today being a weekend day ...
the outside starts out with less tread height than inside (inside is actually the rain edge). If the inside is wearing out faster than the outside then it could become a real problem in wet weather.
Sorry .. had it reversed guess my brain is on vacation today being a weekend day ...
the outside starts out with less tread height than inside (inside is actually the rain edge). If the inside is wearing out faster than the outside then it could become a real problem in wet weather.
Last edited by Andy64; Oct 17, 2004 at 06:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
There have been posts here of Zs coming from the factory with bad allignments. I can't say whether it's common, but I have heard that complaint before. So, that certainly something you want to get done as soon as possible. But the good news is that there have also been a lot of posts here of people not lasting 15K on their F1s. So, especially if you did some aggressive driving, having to get a new set at 15K is not all too unheard of around here. I am at about 13K and I don't have that much longer to go before I have to shop for a new set. Good luck.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Wow... only 15k can be expected on the F1s?? I am not that aggressive a driver... some winding country roads and the occasional hairpin on or off ramp. Any suggestions for different tires that will last 30K or so...?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Ran across this thread that relates to front tire wear, as well: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=926932
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 754
Likes: 15
From: Denton Texas
Senior Member
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Originally Posted by OhioZ06
Wow... only 15k can be expected on the F1s?? I am not that aggressive a driver... some winding country roads and the occasional hairpin on or off ramp. Any suggestions for different tires that will last 30K or so...?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 67
From: USA
I replaced my Z06 03 tires at 30,000 miles. Yes, the insides of the fronts were worn more. My front camber was set to .25 neg at about 15,000 miles. Factory alignment is usually "OK" for tire wear but not always. Dealer should realign free if you complain within the first 7,500 miles. Try to find a GM Master Mechanic to do your alignment.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
I have had three dealers tell me that the chaining down of the cars for transport often knocks them out of alignment. I would have any new car aligned after 3K since it is covered by warranty for that purpose.
I did not think my Z could handle better till I had the alignment done. Much improved on center feel and turn lead in after it was properly aligned.
I did not think my Z could handle better till I had the alignment done. Much improved on center feel and turn lead in after it was properly aligned.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
okay. Picked my car up today after they mounted my new tires and did the 4-wheel alignment.
Here are the readings for those interested:
Before: FRONT
Caster 4.9
Camber -0.1
Toe 0.05
REAR
camber -0.4
toe 0.10
After: FRONT
Caster 6.1
Camber -0.1
Toe 0.00
REAR
Camber -0.1
Toe -0.05
Here are the readings for those interested:
Before: FRONT
Caster 4.9
Camber -0.1
Toe 0.05
REAR
camber -0.4
toe 0.10
After: FRONT
Caster 6.1
Camber -0.1
Toe 0.00
REAR
Camber -0.1
Toe -0.05
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 5
From: Sandy Ego CA
Hey Guy's I was just over on the Corvette Action site looking for recalls on my 04 Z06 and under suspensions they were saying that a Z06 has different alignment setting than a C5, this may be why the alignment shop told the guy with the wore tire that the alignment was to spec
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
ROHO
Thats the same thing they told me at the dealer. My Tires were worn throught the belting. Dealer said it is supposed to happen like that, YEAH RIGHT. They bought one new tire and I bought the other. They said the alignment is perfect. I posted a thread when this happened. If this is a tie rod problem then I think GM needs to come out and tell us. Any other opinions or comments?
Thats the same thing they told me at the dealer. My Tires were worn throught the belting. Dealer said it is supposed to happen like that, YEAH RIGHT. They bought one new tire and I bought the other. They said the alignment is perfect. I posted a thread when this happened. If this is a tie rod problem then I think GM needs to come out and tell us. Any other opinions or comments?
