when lowering does it effect alignment
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Bradenton, FL & Chandler AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Lifetime NCM Member #2497
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From: Indiana
Cruise-In 9-10-11-12 Veteran
I was not a believer in the alignment until I lowered my C5 Z06. I took it in to get it aligned for autocrossing and found out it was way off. Even though I have it set up for autocrossing now it drives alot better than it did before on the road in normal driving. I am taking my C6 in next since I lowered it on the stock bolts also.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Houston, TX
I was not a believer in the alignment until I lowered my C5 Z06. I took it in to get it aligned for autocrossing and found out it was way off. Even though I have it set up for autocrossing now it drives alot better than it did before on the road in normal driving. I am taking my C6 in next since I lowered it on the stock bolts also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Central NJ
i did aligments (every aspect of repairs actually) for alot of years but never did lower anything then check the alignment so all I can speak to is theory here.
In theory lowering the front would decrease camber and increase toe. If you lower the front and rear equally it will not effect caster. If you lower just the front it will decrease the caster.
The transverse leafspring vetts have is a different setup then what i have dealt with before. The lowering process is merely loosening/stiffening the pressure on the springs, hense lowering/raising ride height.
It has to decrease camber and increase toe but i doubt its very much. I would be more worried about the toe changing then the camber. A slight more negative CAMBER is a good thing for handling. but a toe out condition is not.
I will lower mine and take some before and after measurements to confirm all this. Thxs for the inputs, Paul
In theory lowering the front would decrease camber and increase toe. If you lower the front and rear equally it will not effect caster. If you lower just the front it will decrease the caster.
The transverse leafspring vetts have is a different setup then what i have dealt with before. The lowering process is merely loosening/stiffening the pressure on the springs, hense lowering/raising ride height.
It has to decrease camber and increase toe but i doubt its very much. I would be more worried about the toe changing then the camber. A slight more negative CAMBER is a good thing for handling. but a toe out condition is not.
I will lower mine and take some before and after measurements to confirm all this. Thxs for the inputs, Paul
I agree with most of what you said (camber does change a little). All Corvettes since the mid '80s have had zero bump steer meaning toe doesn't change as the suspension goes through it's travel. So when you lower it, toe doesn't change...any suspension book will verify that. The SLA front suspension has negative camber gain on compression but it's minimal with the small amount of travel associated with lowering. But people who are likely to lower their car are also likely to drive a little more aggressively meaning the increased wear to the inside of the tire caused by the small amount of extra negative camber is countered by the extra wear on the outside of the tire caused by the more aggressive driving. But like Jim said, it's probably a good idea to get it checked. Or better yet, learn how to do it yourself in your driveway and check it as often as you like for free...that's what I do.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Columbia MD
While on the topic of lowering, how do those with lowered cars get their cars serviced? Any problems getting them onto conventional lifts, such as at the dealerships for oil changes and such? Seems even Race Ramps or Rhino Ramps in your own driveway or garage could pose a problem with the low ride height.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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I agree with most of what you said (camber does change a little). All Corvettes since the mid '80s have had zero bump steer meaning toe doesn't change as the suspension goes through it's travel. So when you lower it, toe doesn't change...any suspension book will verify that. The SLA front suspension has negative camber gain on compression but it's minimal with the small amount of travel associated with lowering. But people who are likely to lower their car are also likely to drive a little more aggressively meaning the increased wear to the inside of the tire caused by the small amount of extra negative camber is countered by the extra wear on the outside of the tire caused by the more aggressive driving. But like Jim said, it's probably a good idea to get it checked. Or better yet, learn how to do it yourself in your driveway and check it as often as you like for free...that's what I do.
The camber will obvoiusly change but a little more negative probably is ok with the way i drive. Thxs for the input, paul
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: USA
Originally Posted by corvette dave
With a camber change so goes the toe. Probably caster too.
Can't believe some are saying the alignment does not change.
I hate it when I'm wrong so I did some research on the topic.
I couldn't find anywhere it says the C6 corvette has 0 bump steer suspension. Near 0 bump steer I found and will agree to.
So I am willing to bet lunch that when Hanny does a before and after alignment check he will find that after lowering his car there will be a change in toe, a very small change but a change nevertheless.
I checked 2 vendors, LG Motorsports and West Coast Corvettes and they sell a bump steer kit for the C6.
Why would they sell the kit for a 0 bump steer car?
Hanny, the rest is up to you.
With a camber change so goes the toe. Probably caster too.
Can't believe some are saying the alignment does not change.
You've got it backwards. When you're doing an alignment and adjust camber, you do in fact change toe. But when you have a camber change due to suspension travel, you don't get toe changes with a zero bump steer suspension. Otherwise the car would be a handful in corners when hitting bumps. I can't believe some are saying toe changes.
I couldn't find anywhere it says the C6 corvette has 0 bump steer suspension. Near 0 bump steer I found and will agree to.
So I am willing to bet lunch that when Hanny does a before and after alignment check he will find that after lowering his car there will be a change in toe, a very small change but a change nevertheless.
I checked 2 vendors, LG Motorsports and West Coast Corvettes and they sell a bump steer kit for the C6.
Why would they sell the kit for a 0 bump steer car?
Hanny, the rest is up to you.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,082
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
YES! You will need a four wheel alinment. Almost all my specs were off both fromnand back. No alingment creates all kinds of related problems. Tires will be the first to go and as we all know that can get very expensive.
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