Front End Alignment
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Due to the expense of GS size tires I had them check my alignment. Toe in was way out on both sides, camber/caster also. I would probably have not noticed anything wrong until about 5-7k miles. GM then may or may not replace the tires.
I think Paul mentioned the factory is going to actually align the C6 now before it leaves the factory. That is an interesting concept.
I think Paul mentioned the factory is going to actually align the C6 now before it leaves the factory. That is an interesting concept.
$90 for an alignment at 500 miles or $2000 to replace a set of prematurely worn out tires.....I wonder which is the "wise" choice?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Toe is more of a culprit in premature tire wear than camber is. My Z and a bunch of others I know about tend to wear the outside of the rear tires even though the rear camber is at -1 or more (spec calls for a couple of tenths of a degree more than the front camber). At 3K miles I corded a set of EMTs on the outside while having over 4/32 of tread on the inside. You need to have almost 0 toe in at the rear to get even wear on the rear tires. This works well on the street but not so well on the track where that little toe in causes issues when driving off a corner.
Bill
Bill
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 506
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From: Texas
I bought an 09 Z51 just over a month ago and the fronts are almost toast at 11,000 miles and the wear pattern is really odd. I am going to get it aligned next week at a very good shop to try to get what I can out of them. I do some track days and my research on here says -1.3 to -1.5 camber front and -1.0 to -1.2 camber rear and 0 toe. Any thoughts, also thinking Bridgestone RE 11 when I replace tires.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: NY & FLORIDA
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i recently took delivery of a 2011 grand sport convertable (5000) miles ago.i noticed some serious tire wear on my front tires. Decided to get an alignment. Right side was within specs. Drivers side was not. I went back to the delivering dealer to compalin about the excessive tire wear and they agreed. Replaced both front tires under warrenty. I urge everyone that shortly after taking delivery to get an alignment done.
you heard of anything like this?
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: north charleston s.c.
My front tires 2010 grand sport wore out 10000 miles i switch to michelim and front end alignment hopefully this was the problem corvette tech did say something likes tires align at factory for performance so he said he change that at least michelim's have a 20000 mile warranty goodyear 0 warranty another person on forum told me about alignment
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
By "out of alignment"; do you mean not set to zero? You do know that a little negative camber can improve responsiveness; turn in faster. Yes, you will have slightly more tire wear than usual, but you will enjoy the drive more.........trust me!
BTW! What specs did they quote you?
BTW! What specs did they quote you?
For example the front camber on the Z06 (FE4) the GM spec is -0.5 to -1.5 degree, so the middle of the spec is -0.1 degree.
One side could be reading -0.5 and the other side -1.5. That is a lot of difference from the right side to the left side, but within the mfgr's spec. A lazy tech would tell you it's within spec and send you on your way. A good tech, would do his best to get both sides equal and close to -01 as possible. I had my front camber set at -0.9 on both sides on the front.
PFADt Engineering says the front camber should be -0.7 to -0.9 for a Performance Street. I elected to go on the high side(-0.9) as I have a Z06 and wanted to maintain some corning performance, yet get tire mileage. From the factory, my front camber was set at -1.1 on both sides, really very good.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
Bill hit the nail on the head here, it's generally toe that kills tires. The factory alignment specs are pretty broad and a good alignment tech is definitely worth his weight in gold. There can definitely be a wide range of alignments set from the factory because of the really wide "acceptable" zone on these cars.
Here is a link to our alignment specifications. The Performance Street setting will provide good tire wear without sacrificing the handling that you purchased your Corvette for. These alignment specifications should be easily achievable by a good alignment tech with all of the stock components. If you're having your alignment set by a dealership remember to ask for a print out after it's been on the rack so you can compare with what the specifications should be.
Here is a link to our alignment specifications. The Performance Street setting will provide good tire wear without sacrificing the handling that you purchased your Corvette for. These alignment specifications should be easily achievable by a good alignment tech with all of the stock components. If you're having your alignment set by a dealership remember to ask for a print out after it's been on the rack so you can compare with what the specifications should be.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: DFW texas
my GS was puling to the right at 300 miles. Had it aligned. It was way out. After a week, it was pulling to the right again. Gonna have to take it in again.
Also....just in case my dealer cant get it right.....any suggestions on alignment shops in the ft worth arlington tx area will be helpfull. Im using Vandergriff Chevrolet right now in Arlington.
Also....just in case my dealer cant get it right.....any suggestions on alignment shops in the ft worth arlington tx area will be helpfull. Im using Vandergriff Chevrolet right now in Arlington.
Last edited by hihoSilver; Nov 21, 2011 at 07:05 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 4
From: NC
To make a long story short, use a shop that has the Hunter "Road Force Balancer" and the Hunter alignment rack. Use the PFADT performance street specs.
My steering wheel pulled to the left and then the right after two alignments at a Chevy dealer. Also had some shake. After a two hour wheel balance and alignment job, the car handles like a dream-straight down the road. The rr tire had to be rotated on the wheel due to being out of round. Should have done it sooner!!
I watched the car be built and watched them align the suspension at the plant and they don't give it a lot of time.
My steering wheel pulled to the left and then the right after two alignments at a Chevy dealer. Also had some shake. After a two hour wheel balance and alignment job, the car handles like a dream-straight down the road. The rr tire had to be rotated on the wheel due to being out of round. Should have done it sooner!!
I watched the car be built and watched them align the suspension at the plant and they don't give it a lot of time.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: DFW texas
To make a long story short, use a shop that has the Hunter "Road Force Balancer" and the Hunter alignment rack. Use the PFADT performance street specs.
My steering wheel pulled to the left and then the right after two alignments at a Chevy dealer. Also had some shake. After a two hour wheel balance and alignment job, the car handles like a dream-straight down the road. The rr tire had to be rotated on the wheel due to being out of round. Should have done it sooner!!
I watched the car be built and watched them align the suspension at the plant and they don't give it a lot of time.
My steering wheel pulled to the left and then the right after two alignments at a Chevy dealer. Also had some shake. After a two hour wheel balance and alignment job, the car handles like a dream-straight down the road. The rr tire had to be rotated on the wheel due to being out of round. Should have done it sooner!!
I watched the car be built and watched them align the suspension at the plant and they don't give it a lot of time.
how much is a 4 wheel alignment at shops that would have the "road force" balancer and Hunter alignment rack? Just a approx cost? I dont track my car, so I want the longest tire life as possible but want it to drive straight with out pulling to the left like it is now
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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To draw out a long story. I prefer my camber close to -0.1 exactly. That has given me the best mileage on my tires. The -.45 that came on the car ate my fronts on the inside edge. I have 25K on my current set and they are doing fine.
Elmer
Elmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
how much is a 4 wheel alignment at shops that would have the "road force" balancer and Hunter alignment rack? Just a approx cost? I dont track my car, so I want the longest tire life as possible but want it to drive straight with out pulling to the left like it is now
