Alignment issues
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
Alignment issues
Took the Vette to the dealer for some warranty work and had them do an alignment since I was showing wear in the inside front tires.
I checked their specs after they completed the job and they were on target with what I found on the forum.
problem is the steering wheel is tilted to the right just a tad.
Car drives straight but the wheel bothered me.
Took her back to the dealer and told them. they said that that is normal for the car to be in tolerance and the wheel to be slightly off...
I called BS and told them it was straight when I brought it in and I want it straight. He asked me to bring it back on Tuesday after the holiday.
Am I being unreasonable or is this common.
I checked their specs after they completed the job and they were on target with what I found on the forum.
problem is the steering wheel is tilted to the right just a tad.
Car drives straight but the wheel bothered me.
Took her back to the dealer and told them. they said that that is normal for the car to be in tolerance and the wheel to be slightly off...
I called BS and told them it was straight when I brought it in and I want it straight. He asked me to bring it back on Tuesday after the holiday.
Am I being unreasonable or is this common.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 690
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
Are you being unreasonable by wanting your steering wheel straight? No, not at all. I would feel the exact same way if I took my vette to a dealer and they gave it back to me with the wheel all jacked up. It is not that hard for them to straighten the wheel they are just being lazy it sounds like. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 9
From: Murfreesboro, TN
I had the same experience when I had my alignment performed too. I also had my alignment set for improved tire life and ended up with a wheel off center. The tech was able to correct it in about 15 minutes. Stand your ground!
Good Gals Drive It Hard
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 17
From: Boca Raton FL
My new GS seemed to drift some to the left and pulled a bit left during braking. Took it to the dealer with 70 miles on it. I was told, no problem, it will be done in an hour or two. Well, almost three hours later, the tech did a test drive and stated "normal drive for low profile tires". Oh, I wasn't a happy camper. BS!
Not taking that "low profile tires" line, as all of my cars for the past many years have low profile tires, I insisted it be checked on the alignment machine. The service manager did a test drive then had it put on the machine. Sure enough, it was NOT aligned properly. The factory (lack of) alignment would have been eating the inside of the tires. After the alignment, the left drift & slight pull was rectified.
Point being, don't settle for BS from the dealership service dept. Good luck!
Not taking that "low profile tires" line, as all of my cars for the past many years have low profile tires, I insisted it be checked on the alignment machine. The service manager did a test drive then had it put on the machine. Sure enough, it was NOT aligned properly. The factory (lack of) alignment would have been eating the inside of the tires. After the alignment, the left drift & slight pull was rectified.
Point being, don't settle for BS from the dealership service dept. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
this dealer has been good to me in the past and they do a lot of vette work.
That being said I was hesitant taking the car anywhere letting some kid do the alignment.
I didn't expect this from my dealer.
I will take it back next week and not leave til it is fixed.
That being said I was hesitant taking the car anywhere letting some kid do the alignment.
I didn't expect this from my dealer.
I will take it back next week and not leave til it is fixed.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Ask here and in your Regional Forum for local independent alignment shop recommendations in your area......just in case for now and for the future. There are usually really good independents with great reputations with Vettes and other special needs cars in every major area. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
Ask here and in your Regional Forum for local independent alignment shop recommendations in your area......just in case for now and for the future. There are usually really good independents with great reputations with Vettes and other special needs cars in every major area.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
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Straightening the steering wheel SHOULD be done as part of the alighnment. Usually the last step.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
So, this dealer has someone doing alignments who doesn't know how to do alignments. Think all the other numbers are right?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
By the way they wont give me the printout, I just have to compare the numbers they have with the number i got here on the forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 76
From: Marshall, Missouri
Whenever I get an alignment, I always tell them to "center the steering wheel" and I make sure they write it on the ticket. Long experience has taught me to do this. It is a simple matter for them to attatch a stereing wheel holder (it sits on the seat and clamps the wheel in the centered position). The alignment is done with the wheel loose and it is then retightened after the alighnment adjustments are made. They're just too lazy to loosen the wheel and use the clamp to keep the wheel straight during the procedure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Are you being unreasonable by wanting your steering wheel straight? No, not at all. I would feel the exact same way if I took my vette to a dealer and they gave it back to me with the wheel all jacked up. It is not that hard for them to straighten the wheel they are just being lazy it sounds like.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
There are a lot of really good alignment shops. Find one! Check with racers and car clubs in your area.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 156
From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
the steering wheel being off center has nothing to do with the vehicle being aligned (except annoying for you of course) however part of an alignment is to center the steering wheel. its just part of the alignment process. Your wheel can be 45 degrees off and the alignment perfect (except the steering wheel off center of course) usually when the wheel is off center thats the first indicator your toe is out of wack on one side or both. if you want to impress them which ever way its off centered they need to shorten the oppisite side tie rod and lengthen that sides tie rod. if its off to the right then they should shorten the left side and lengthen the right side tie rod length