Wheels off center in wheel well
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Arcadia CA
Wheels off center in wheel well
Hello,
I have a '04 Z06. One of the rear wheels is closer to the front of the wheel well than the wheel on the other side (by about 1/2"). Can the cradle be moved a little to center the wheels?
The car was recently in an accident, where the rear was damaged. However, the damage was repaired very well--you wouldn't be able to tell unless if I told you what happened. The alignment is very good--the car drives perfectly straight. The shop guys said the frame is perfect as well, and is aligned by "laser." All in all, it was repaired perfectly, except for this issue.
Anyway, this really bugs me, so any help is appreciated. Also, I told the shop to lower the car at the same time as the repairs, but they f'd up and dropped the rear too much. So, anyone know a good shop that can get my rear wheels perfectly even, in all directions?
Thanks,
Dean
I have a '04 Z06. One of the rear wheels is closer to the front of the wheel well than the wheel on the other side (by about 1/2"). Can the cradle be moved a little to center the wheels?
The car was recently in an accident, where the rear was damaged. However, the damage was repaired very well--you wouldn't be able to tell unless if I told you what happened. The alignment is very good--the car drives perfectly straight. The shop guys said the frame is perfect as well, and is aligned by "laser." All in all, it was repaired perfectly, except for this issue.
Anyway, this really bugs me, so any help is appreciated. Also, I told the shop to lower the car at the same time as the repairs, but they f'd up and dropped the rear too much. So, anyone know a good shop that can get my rear wheels perfectly even, in all directions?
Thanks,
Dean
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
just wondering if there is a fix.
I would think everything is being aligned from the rear cross beam. If that is straight I would think then the tires would be even on both sides since there are guide posts to make sure you align everything.
I would think the rest of the suspension is a feed off that and thus do not affect the location of the wheel.
well maybe the lug nut spindle thing can be bent -
Hell I really have no idea I guess that is why I am here to find out too...
good luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
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look at the rear alignment spec on your print out(hope they have). thrust angle(dog tracking)spec should be 0.0 +/- .10 deg.
If it's correct,I'd bet on a body panel problem
Also, look at the print out from the frame rack measurements, those measurements all have mins and maxs!!
Look at some other cars to see if they are similiar??
If it's correct,I'd bet on a body panel problem
Also, look at the print out from the frame rack measurements, those measurements all have mins and maxs!!
Look at some other cars to see if they are similiar??
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 83
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From: Arcadia CA
hi,
thanks for the replies!
i don't have access to the alignment numbers. but assuming that the shop is telling the truth, that the body / panels are perfectly straight, can the rear wheel cradle be repositioned to move the wheels for / aft? it seems like it, cause when i was looking while the car was on a lift, it seems there are 4 bolts that hold the entire cradle to the frame of the car. each hole in the cradle seems to have been drilled large, implying that there is some space for adjustment. in fact, each car i looked at seemed to have the bolts centered differently...
?
thanks for the replies!
i don't have access to the alignment numbers. but assuming that the shop is telling the truth, that the body / panels are perfectly straight, can the rear wheel cradle be repositioned to move the wheels for / aft? it seems like it, cause when i was looking while the car was on a lift, it seems there are 4 bolts that hold the entire cradle to the frame of the car. each hole in the cradle seems to have been drilled large, implying that there is some space for adjustment. in fact, each car i looked at seemed to have the bolts centered differently...
?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by Orpheus
hi,
thanks for the replies!
i don't have access to the alignment numbers. but assuming that the shop is telling the truth, that the body / panels are perfectly straight, can the rear wheel cradle be repositioned to move the wheels for / aft? it seems like it, cause when i was looking while the car was on a lift, it seems there are 4 bolts that hold the entire cradle to the frame of the car. each hole in the cradle seems to have been drilled large, implying that there is some space for adjustment. in fact, each car i looked at seemed to have the bolts centered differently...
?
thanks for the replies!
i don't have access to the alignment numbers. but assuming that the shop is telling the truth, that the body / panels are perfectly straight, can the rear wheel cradle be repositioned to move the wheels for / aft? it seems like it, cause when i was looking while the car was on a lift, it seems there are 4 bolts that hold the entire cradle to the frame of the car. each hole in the cradle seems to have been drilled large, implying that there is some space for adjustment. in fact, each car i looked at seemed to have the bolts centered differently...
?
I thought there were alignment pins also so then it would be impossible to be off.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
wheel
If one wheel is 1/2" further forward than the other I doubt that you have a perfect alignment and that the job was done perfectly. Have someone help you and take a string to measure the center to center of the wheels on each side of the car. Sounds to me as if the frame is a little off.
Last edited by tiojames; Aug 22, 2006 at 12:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
I'm no expert, but it sounds like the frame wasn't straightened completely. I bet the repair shop straightened the frame just enough to be within the max alignment runout so that the alignment could compensate for the remaining.
Was the accident a: total rear impact, an offset rear impact, or a side impact to the rear?
BTW check your PM's.
Was the accident a: total rear impact, an offset rear impact, or a side impact to the rear?
BTW check your PM's.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Arcadia CA
hi 97C5ENVY, it was hit on the rear left corner, in my opinion pretty lightly. i was surprised that there was any real damage besides the fiberglass. i'm don't know much about these things, but according to the shop, the "subframe" (whatever that is) had to be replaced. but if i understand correctly, the main frame was undamaged. they said that using lasers, the frame was measured to be "very within spec," and they assured me that it was near perfect. at one point, when the rear end was off and the carpet removed, they showed me their work, and to my eyes looked very clean.
i intend to take the car to LAPD later for some tuning, and maybe they'll be able to verify if the frame is straight. but for now, does anyone know the answer to the question--can the cradle be repositioned via the 4 bolts?--are these 4 bolts intended to be adjustable for this reason? cause that's the only real option i have with these guys at this point.
oops..... just got some pm's from you... let me read. thanks.
i intend to take the car to LAPD later for some tuning, and maybe they'll be able to verify if the frame is straight. but for now, does anyone know the answer to the question--can the cradle be repositioned via the 4 bolts?--are these 4 bolts intended to be adjustable for this reason? cause that's the only real option i have with these guys at this point.
oops..... just got some pm's from you... let me read. thanks.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Check out this thread for some good pics of the rear crossmember (look about half-way down): http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ar+crossmember
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Arcadia CA
edit: just looked at those pictures. thanks... but notice how the 4 bolt holes are really big? that's what i mean. they're much bigger than the screws themselves, and require large washers so the bolts fit okay on the outside.
Last edited by Orpheus; Aug 22, 2006 at 01:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Here is my first-hand real-world experience, not speculation..
Yes, there are locating pins for the front and rear cradle, and yes, those pin holes are larger than the pins themselves, and yes there is a fair amount of play (unfortunately) front to back, side to side. Ask LAPD to check it out.
Yes, there are locating pins for the front and rear cradle, and yes, those pin holes are larger than the pins themselves, and yes there is a fair amount of play (unfortunately) front to back, side to side. Ask LAPD to check it out.
