This is the important thing. Be sure that you get a print out of the results also.
Alignment advice
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara CA
Alignment advice
So I'm looking to take my vette in for an alignment. Where should I take it? Are places like Pep Boys ok?
And anything I should know that is specific to the vette?
Thanks for the help!
And anything I should know that is specific to the vette?
Thanks for the help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 2
From: Bergen County, NJ Sarasota, FL
I've never had work done at a Pep Boys, but I'd be willing to bet that around the US they have a handful of highly skilled alignment mechnics, mostly moderately skilled mechanics, and some I wouldn't trust to change my oil. You won't know whick your local store has.
Dealers are a little better, although they can be too quick to accept settings within the manufacturers broad tolerances.
I'm most comfortable using an small owner-operated alignment shop. Get a recommendation from a couple of tire shops who service performance cars but don't do their own alignment.
Dealers are a little better, although they can be too quick to accept settings within the manufacturers broad tolerances.
I'm most comfortable using an small owner-operated alignment shop. Get a recommendation from a couple of tire shops who service performance cars but don't do their own alignment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
From: Looking for a portable X-ray machine
A local Goodyear shop took really good care of me. Just check and make sure the shop is up to date and you shouldn't have any problems.
A Chevy dealership would be my last resort.
A Chevy dealership would be my last resort.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Take a look at Tire Rack and look under the Installation tab. They will have a list of recommended installers in your area. They may even have a few reviews of local shops. I've found that the best tire installers are often the best for alignment. Good Luck!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,887
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Talk to anyone from a local Autocross Club, they always know someone for a good alignment. Good for a street driven 'Vette for tire wear seems to be a "dead on " stock setting, no + or - toleration.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
I want to decrease/remove some of the negative camber in my front tires, but am having a hard time finding anyone to do it. They are afraid of going "out-of-spec", liability issues! 
My dealer said I would have to sign a legal waiver and that it would void my warrantee........
My dealer said I would have to sign a legal waiver and that it would void my warrantee........
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Set the camber to -0.10 +/- 0.0 F&R if you want long tire life.
Set the camber to -0.45 +/- 0.0 F&R if you want the car for the twisties.
Do not let them get it "within" allowable +/- range. Get it "SPOT ON".
Elmer
Set the camber to -0.45 +/- 0.0 F&R if you want the car for the twisties.
Do not let them get it "within" allowable +/- range. Get it "SPOT ON".
Elmer
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I want to decrease/remove some of the negative camber in my front tires, but am having a hard time finding anyone to do it. They are afraid of going "out-of-spec", liability issues! My dealer said I would have to sign a legal waiver and that it would void my warrantee........
My dealer said I would have to sign a legal waiver and that it would void my warrantee........I had mine done at the Goodyear dealer and he had no issues with it. They are guaranteeing the tires not your GM dealer.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
Likes: 1
From: Youngstown Ohio
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Here are a couple of pretty in depth alignment discussions that I refer to. They have lots of good info: 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1795091
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1882417
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1795091
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1882417
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 1
Check around your local area for brake and alignment shops. Make sure they have a HUNTER laser alignment machine. In San Antonio and the surrounding area, we have a company called brake check. They hooked me up with a lifetime alignment package for only $98.00. Good for as long as I own the vette and I can come in every month if I wanted too. 
Good Luck
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
Likes: 1
From: Youngstown Ohio
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
My '05 was re-aligned at 1,000 miles, it was way off. My new '08 will be aligned to the same specs as soon as I get some miles on it. I got 12,000+ miles from the original supercars with even tread wear side to side and front to back with those specs.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara CA
Check around your local area for brake and alignment shops. Make sure they have a HUNTER laser alignment machine. In San Antonio and the surrounding area, we have a company called brake check. They hooked me up with a lifetime alignment package for only $98.00. Good for as long as I own the vette and I can come in every month if I wanted too.
Good Luck
Good Luck