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Wheel alignment after half shaft replacement?

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Old Nov 27, 2006 | 06:35 PM
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Default Wheel alignment after half shaft replacement?

I am getting a half shaft replaced under warranty.
Dealer recommends that I get an alignment also.
Is this necessary?
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Old Nov 27, 2006 | 06:57 PM
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Since they have to drop the ball joint, etc. (per the service manual) I would do it. Service manual doesn't specifically call it out though.
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Old Nov 27, 2006 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
Since they have to drop the ball joint, etc. (per the service manual) I would do it. Service manual doesn't specifically call it out though.

Hope not.. I have mine out right now.. I am sure as long as you dont mess with the adjustment on the ball joint arm you should be fine..

I am not planning to align after I reinstall my axle...
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
Since they have to drop the ball joint, etc. (per the service manual) I would do it. Service manual doesn't specifically call it out though.
Lot's cheaper than tire wear issues.
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 05:01 PM
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Default alignment

Any time any adjustment points are removed an replaced you should get it aligned, even if you mark the place it's never quite right, it's close, If your tires are due to be replaced, you could skip the alignment, provideing the wrench turner markes everything, you could get away with it, untill you do a tire change....They could just align the rear if they were decent, but knowing the money hungry......
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 05:23 PM
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I'd recommend it, particularly if its been a few miles since the last alignment. The C5's with its wide tires is very sensitive to alignment, toe, camber AND cross caster.
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by cc42
I am getting a half shaft replaced under warranty.
Dealer recommends that I get an alignment also.
Is this necessary?
Thanks for the replies.
I decided to go ahead and do it.
My tires are new.

And...service advisor said they're using lasers to help do the alignment!!!

Anyway they're getting $200 from me for it. I thought it would be about $70.
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by cc42
Thanks for the replies.
I decided to go ahead and do it.
My tires are new.

And...service advisor said they're using lasers to help do the alignment!!!

Anyway they're getting $200 from me for it. I thought it would be about $70.

Which is why I aint doing it.. I have half the life on the current tire left.. for $200 I can replace the tire...
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by chuckster
Which is why I aint doing it.. I have half the life on the current tire left.. for $200 I can replace the tire...
'Course you're a little bit of a cheap-skate too, right?
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 10:00 PM
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The whole thing started with a clicking noise when starting off going forward, slowing down, or backing up. I thought from the service manual that it was a flex plate, not the drive axle.

There were other posts on the forum that said all I had to do was take the nut off the hub, then grease it up and the clicking would go away.

If it ever happens again, I might try that first and avoid the alignment. On the other hand I still don't have the car back so it would be funny if it still made the noise.
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Old Nov 28, 2006 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
'Course you're a little bit of a cheap-skate too, right?

Hmm, in the past month...

$950 for a clutch
$900 for the install
$200 for a hardened output shaft
$44 for a new CV boot kit..
$50 for Misc tools to Fix CV boot....


If I have to spend one more $ I am gonna Fecking Scream. ... Yes I am being a cheap skate.
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Old Nov 29, 2006 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by cc42
Thanks for the replies.
I decided to go ahead and do it.
My tires are new.

And...service advisor said they're using lasers to help do the alignment!!!

Anyway they're getting $200 from me for it. I thought it would be about $70.
Geeeze! $200 for an alignment! Thats a rip! It better have a lifetime guarentee for unlimited furture alignments.

Ask for a spec sheet of before and after. Make sure EVERYTHING matches PERFECT. Don't let them tell you they cannot adjust the caster or camber, because they can. For that money, I wouldn't settle for less then perfect.
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Old Nov 29, 2006 | 11:11 AM
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IF this is being done under the original factory warranty, whay do you have to pay for the alignment? It was their OEM part that went bad and the original warranty should cover it.

In any event, $200 for an alignment is stealership Typical 4-wheel alignments run fron $60 to $80 at most independent auto repair shops. Most all of these shops have alignment equipment that uses laere/computer controls for getting the settings right and a good shop will have the system calibrated on a regular basis.

These machines have a database of alignment specs in its' computer so they will be able to properly align a Corvette. Even if you want specs outside of the factory settings, the system operator simply adjusts the components until they get the setting you want.

I would go somewhere else for an alignment after you get the freebie half-shaft. You are paying too much and are "getting the shaft" on the dealer alignment!
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Old Nov 29, 2006 | 12:11 PM
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Geeeze! $200 for an alignment! Thats a rip! It better have a lifetime guarentee for unlimited furture alignments.

Ask for a spec sheet of before and after. Make sure EVERYTHING matches PERFECT. Don't let them tell you they cannot adjust the caster or camber, because they can. For that money, I wouldn't settle for less then perfect.



Dealership here gets $75 for four wheels with a before and after printout.
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Old Nov 29, 2006 | 01:57 PM
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Hi Gary.

I've had the half shaft out 4 times and have never had it aligned. I am not saying its the right thing to do but they are mounted on a taper and that is exactly how they keep equipment aligned correctly. I also think $200. is a rip but they have you in their shop.

Mike V
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Old Nov 29, 2006 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by chuckster
Hmm, in the past month...

$950 for a clutch
$900 for the install
$200 for a hardened output shaft
$44 for a new CV boot kit..
$50 for Misc tools to Fix CV boot....


If I have to spend one more $ I am gonna Fecking Scream. ... Yes I am being a cheap skate.
I hear ya.
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Old Nov 29, 2006 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeV
Hi Gary.

I've had the half shaft out 4 times and have never had it aligned. I am not saying its the right thing to do but they are mounted on a taper and that is exactly how they keep equipment aligned correctly. I also think $200. is a rip but they have you in their shop.

Mike V
Hi Mike.

I wish I would have e-mailed you about this befrore I started.
Anyway, here's the alignment sheet to wrap this up. I don't know what it means but I guess red means "bad".

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To Wheel alignment after half shaft replacement?

Old Nov 29, 2006 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by c4cruiser
IF this is being done under the original factory warranty, whay do you have to pay for the alignment? It was their OEM part that went bad and the original warranty should cover it.

In any event, $200 for an alignment is stealership Typical 4-wheel alignments run fron $60 to $80 at most independent auto repair shops. Most all of these shops have alignment equipment that uses laere/computer controls for getting the settings right and a good shop will have the system calibrated on a regular basis.

These machines have a database of alignment specs in its' computer so they will be able to properly align a Corvette. Even if you want specs outside of the factory settings, the system operator simply adjusts the components until they get the setting you want.

I would go somewhere else for an alignment after you get the freebie half-shaft. You are paying too much and are "getting the shaft" on the dealer alignment!
It was "recommended" not "required" but I was suspicious about that too. Thanks for the reply, this is good to know for next time.

PS When I picked the car up a guy in front of me with a Tahoe paid $1700 for something or other. He really took it like a man. Either that or he was still stunned.

Last edited by cc42; Nov 29, 2006 at 09:43 PM.
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Old Nov 29, 2006 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by cc42
Hi Mike.

I wish I would have e-mailed you about this befrore I started.
Anyway, here's the alignment sheet to wrap this up. I don't know what it means but I guess red means "bad".
Well, as I'm sure you've figured out, your front and rear toe were pretty far out. Left and Right front were the worst and those numbers were similar to what my car had before I got it aligned, last time. You'll probably have much less tire wear up in front, now. Especially that inner edge. Try to stay out of the potholes.
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 09:52 AM
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Specs look pretty good. As mentioned the alignment was off. For future reference never pay more then $80 for an alignment.
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