So hypothetically speaking.... Is it possible on the c5z for the rear end to be adjusted "side to side" like on the mustang which has the live rear axle? I know with my buddy's mustang his left wheel stuck out more than the right and all we had to do was make an adjustment to the rear end of the drivetrain to square it up with the body.

I am noticing since installing my l5 flares my driver wheel is about 5mm more in poke than the passenger side. It could be some slight variance in the flares on suppose just figured I would ask!!


I should preface that I am new to the c5z community so I am still learning about this particular vehicle but I have been modding cars for over a decade. Still learning every day

 

that is a common issue with these cars... I have heard of people shifting the cradle slightly which seemed to help but after getting the rear aligned it would pull the wheel back out again... I'm not sure if there is a real fix for this or not, the only thing I could think of to solve it would be to use a spacer on the opposite wheel to make them match or get a new wheel custom made for the one side that sticks out

 

I was considering running a 10mm spacer driver side and 15mm passenger to flush my wheels up and correct the aesthetic issue. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't something as simple as an adjustment to the rear end side to side....

 

There are adjustments that can be made to the rear. Centering the cradle in its mounts can give you a couple of tenths adjustment but usually doesn't do much but make it easier to get an equal camber and toe setting from side to side in the rear. One thing you can do is check to see if you have a thrust angle issue. Theoretically, you could have both rear wheels pointing to one side or the other and the front toe adjusted so the steering wheel is pointed straight and the car drives down the highway with it straight but would actually be dog walking (driving sideways).

Unlike the Mustang the Vette has an independent suspension in the rear. That means you can adjust the camber (push the lower part of the tire in or out) and toe in (point the front of the tire in or out. Each side of the car can be adjusted independently of the other side. The alignment specs call out for close to a zero thrust angle (both rear wheels pointing so the thrust axis from the drivetrain is in line with the chassis's center line. I have seen my C5Z with the front of the left rear tire pushed inward around an inch and the front of the right side rear tire pushed out about the same amount. This was due to an alignment mechanic not tightening the rear LCA camber eccentrics enough and they came loose after a couple of weeks. This let the rear suspension basically float back and forth around the axles.

One thing you must remember is the location of the body on the frame isn't a tightly controlled measurement since it isn't really a big concern. You can only get a rough estimate if there is an alignment problem. You definitely don't want to make things look good since looking good and working properly are two different things.

Thrust angle info: http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=...le%20alignment

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...b=MZuSiGbCeHD&

Bill

 

I do plan to throw it back on the alignment rack and see if it's needing an adjustment.... I do think the right rear needs a camber adjustment by visual inspection and experience but the toe doesn't look out of spec. I agree about not putting a band aid on the issue by using different spacers I would rather find the root of the issue...