C5 Front End Alignment
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Hayward Ca
C5 Front End Alignment
I dropped the steering rack to key my damper to the crank and now I feel that I should get the front end re-aligned. The shop that I want to do the alignment asked if I want "corner weighting" or something along those words. He said that "corner weighting" will make all four corners of the car at an equal height. Sounds like a good thing to have done...
I need your help, is it worth the $40-80 to get it done? What are the benefits?
Thanks,
BBC5
I need your help, is it worth the $40-80 to get it done? What are the benefits?
Thanks,
BBC5
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: C5 Front End Alignment (BBC5)
Actually you will end up with a 4 wheel allignment. ;) Well worth it IMO, as the factory allignment is usually off. :yesnod:
Oh, and BTW, you will find out it will be more than $40 to $80. :eek:
vetterdstr :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 6:39 PM 4/16/2002]
Oh, and BTW, you will find out it will be more than $40 to $80. :eek:
vetterdstr :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 6:39 PM 4/16/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 920
Likes: 2
From: Rogers, AR, USA
Re: C5 Front End Alignment (BBC5)
I think he's putting the proper percentage of weight on each corner, not each corner at equal height. Lets say your car weighs 3000# with 1600# (53.3%) on the front and 1400# (46.7%) on the rear. Also lets say the right side weighs 1475# and the left side weighs 1525#. He will jack the springs so 53.3% of the 1475 right side pounds will be on the right front tire and 46.7% of the 1475 pounds on the right rear tire, and do the same distribution on the other side. If you're not racing, this isn't that important. If you are racing, it's just a starting point, which to make adjustments from.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 12,732
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From: Kayenta Utah
Re: C5 Front End Alignment (vetterdstr)
True, it's a four-wheel alignment on the C5. And make sure ahead of time they can do 18" wheels before they put the car up in the air. Maybe I'll post the story of my wasted afternoon dealing with the local Goodyear place...:rolleyes:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
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From: Western NY
Re: C5 Front End Alignment (BBC5)
If the shop is willing to adjust the "corner weights" of the car, and then do a proper alignment, you will definitely see a handling improvement. I would think, however, that you might not have a car that sits perfectly "level" when finished.
This is assuming, however, that there is more that just a few pounds of weight difference in the side to side distribution. I would also be assuming that this is some sort of "race shop" that has four wheel scales to weigh the car on prior to doing the wheel alignment.
This is assuming, however, that there is more that just a few pounds of weight difference in the side to side distribution. I would also be assuming that this is some sort of "race shop" that has four wheel scales to weigh the car on prior to doing the wheel alignment.
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
Re: C5 Front End Alignment (leadfoot4)
I agree, make sure they have scales and adjust by weight not by height!! Maybe they are going to do it by height and that is why it is so cheap? I am pretty sure I had a factory weight jacking problem that got fixed when I lowered it, the right front adjuster was about a turn higher than the front left, wore the right front tire more and always had a slight drift to the right. I don't think this adjustment is only good for racing, and I would do it!! Which shop are you talking to, I might bring mine there..?
Gary
Gary
