HELP- Need Alignment Advice
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 2
From: Tomahawk Wisconsin
HELP- Need Alignment Advice
I stopped by a local alignment shop today to see how they attached the alignment heads to a C6 wheel. They showed me a piece of metal with a hooked end that gets driven in where the red arrow points on the pictures (between the tire and rim edge). This looks like a guaranteed scratched wheel. I was hoping that the machine made contact with the wheel at the green arrow.
Did anyone ever see where the alignment heads contact the wheel on a C6? They may not have the latest equipment.
The front tires are worn on the insides. Are there any different specs out there that will correct this problem?
Thanks
Did anyone ever see where the alignment heads contact the wheel on a C6? They may not have the latest equipment.
The front tires are worn on the insides. Are there any different specs out there that will correct this problem?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
I strongly suggest you find another shop, one that does have modern equipment AND someone who actually knows how to use it ESPECIALLY on a Corvette. The preferred equipment is Snap-On's John Bean Visualiner 3D2. Note they have a special adapter for mag wheels that mounts on the tire not the wheel. Here is the website just for info:
http://www.snaponequipment.com/johnbean/wa_v3d2.asp
As to your tire wear question, the problem is the negative camber settings used for the Vette. To improve tire wear you want to have the front alignment set closer to, but not actually at, 0 degrees. The stock spec calls for -0.45 degrees so you might shoot for something like -0.1 to -0.2 degrees but you should discuss that with your alignment tech.
Here are a couple threads for reference:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
Good luck.
http://www.snaponequipment.com/johnbean/wa_v3d2.asp
As to your tire wear question, the problem is the negative camber settings used for the Vette. To improve tire wear you want to have the front alignment set closer to, but not actually at, 0 degrees. The stock spec calls for -0.45 degrees so you might shoot for something like -0.1 to -0.2 degrees but you should discuss that with your alignment tech.
Here are a couple threads for reference:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 3
I have had tons of alignments done on various cars...as long as the tech is reasonably careful with the standard alignment head you're describing, you're not going to get any noticeable damage
I have the same wheels as you and have had my car on the rack 3 times this year...no problem
I have the same wheels as you and have had my car on the rack 3 times this year...no problem
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,767
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Arkansas
Cruise-In X Veteran
The place that I used to have do my alignments also would put your weight in weights in the drivers seat and asked if I mainly drive it solo or with someone else. If it is mostly driven with 2 on board then they would also add the passengers weight in the passenger seat.
Mark
Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
This is great info for those of us who don't track our cars and would like to maximize the mileage on our front tires.
Looking at the specifications table in one of the posts I see four different suspensions listed using what appear to be RPO codes FE1 thru FE4. Would I be correct in assuming that one could map them like this:
FE1 Base suspension
FE2 Z51 sport suspension
FE3 F55 magnetic suspension
FE4 ??????
Looking at the specifications table in one of the posts I see four different suspensions listed using what appear to be RPO codes FE1 thru FE4. Would I be correct in assuming that one could map them like this:
FE1 Base suspension
FE2 Z51 sport suspension
FE3 F55 magnetic suspension
FE4 ??????
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 277
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Anyone heard of the Hunter DSP600 or had there car aligned with it? Web research shows that it is pretty new and updated but I would rather hear from someone that has seen the results. Same goes for the John Bean from Snap-On.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
This is great info for those of us who don't track our cars and would like to maximize the mileage on our front tires.
Looking at the specifications table in one of the posts I see four different suspensions listed using what appear to be RPO codes FE1 thru FE4. Would I be correct in assuming that one could map them like this:
FE1 Base suspension
FE2 Z51 sport suspension
FE3 F55 magnetic suspension
FE4 ??????
Looking at the specifications table in one of the posts I see four different suspensions listed using what appear to be RPO codes FE1 thru FE4. Would I be correct in assuming that one could map them like this:
FE1 Base suspension
FE2 Z51 sport suspension
FE3 F55 magnetic suspension
FE4 ??????
FE2 is F55
FE3 is Z51
FE4 is Z06
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1,548
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
If done carefully, those heads will not hurt a polished or chrome wheel. I would be a little nervous about using them on a painted or powdercoated wheel. The best option is the type that lightly grabs the rim edge, but also the outer edge of the tire itself.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
I strongly suggest you find another shop, one that does have modern equipment AND someone who actually knows how to use it ESPECIALLY on a Corvette. The preferred equipment is Snap-On's John Bean Visualiner 3D2. Note they have a special adapter for mag wheels that mounts on the tire not the wheel. Here is the website just for info:
http://www.snaponequipment.com/johnbean/wa_v3d2.asp
As to your tire wear question, the problem is the negative camber settings used for the Vette. To improve tire wear you want to have the front alignment set closer to, but not actually at, 0 degrees. The stock spec calls for -0.45 degrees so you might shoot for something like -0.1 to -0.2 degrees but you should discuss that with your alignment tech.
Here are a couple threads for reference:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
Good luck.
http://www.snaponequipment.com/johnbean/wa_v3d2.asp
As to your tire wear question, the problem is the negative camber settings used for the Vette. To improve tire wear you want to have the front alignment set closer to, but not actually at, 0 degrees. The stock spec calls for -0.45 degrees so you might shoot for something like -0.1 to -0.2 degrees but you should discuss that with your alignment tech.
Here are a couple threads for reference:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 3
Toe is often more of a contributor to wear than camber. A degree of neg camber with zero toe shouldn't be a big deal.