Front End Alignment
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Myers Fl
Front End Alignment
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 915
Likes: 3
From: Ft. Worth Texas
As a rule of thumb i believe that if its not broken then don't fix it. My 11 Gs vert has shown no signs of being out of alignment and neither did my 04 c5 coupe or my 09 c6 coupe all purchased new also. Hope yours is fixed and glad it came out good for you.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
All three of the Corvettes we purchased new (2001, 2006, 2009) were significantly out of alignment when checked at around a thousand miles.
The factory is bragging that their new equipment will allow the suspension setup to be more precise, I'll believe it when I see it.
You can get a free warranty alignment within a certain mileage range (something like 1,000 to 7,000 miles, but that's not exact) if you complain. Everyone should complain, unless they want to simply grind up the Goodyears and replace them with Michelins.
The factory is bragging that their new equipment will allow the suspension setup to be more precise, I'll believe it when I see it.
You can get a free warranty alignment within a certain mileage range (something like 1,000 to 7,000 miles, but that's not exact) if you complain. Everyone should complain, unless they want to simply grind up the Goodyears and replace them with Michelins.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
while the fact. alignment may be an issue (it is w. a lot of C6s), let's not forget that an alignment is not a one-time thing, or whenever you buy new tires. at least, not on our C6s.
I asked at a race shop while getting an alignment. their commentary was, for whatever reason, the C6 doesn't seem to hold an alignment. maybe they're wrong, maybe that's just their limited number of cars seen/aligned.
but I asked for the alignment; they weren't trying to sell me anything. and I've been back 3 times in 2 years for one, plus one I had before going to them. each time, watching the machine, the car is out on at least two wheels and everything is tight to begin with.
I asked at a race shop while getting an alignment. their commentary was, for whatever reason, the C6 doesn't seem to hold an alignment. maybe they're wrong, maybe that's just their limited number of cars seen/aligned.
but I asked for the alignment; they weren't trying to sell me anything. and I've been back 3 times in 2 years for one, plus one I had before going to them. each time, watching the machine, the car is out on at least two wheels and everything is tight to begin with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
You can have the work done, drive out of the shop and hit a small pothole, or have a series of small 'hits' over a week or two, and your $100 alignment is gone!
I watch my tire wear all the time, every few weeks at least. You won't know your newly completed alignment is hosed after a week or two, but you should see any unusual wear pattern over a few months, depending on how much you drive a car. I've aligned mine twice since Jan., and have not hit any curbs or potholes of consequence.
Again, this is not limited to C6 Corvettes, but every car on the road.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 83
From: Arkansas
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?
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Rochester NY
while the fact. alignment may be an issue (it is w. a lot of C6s), let's not forget that an alignment is not a one-time thing, or whenever you buy new tires. at least, not on our C6s.
I asked at a race shop while getting an alignment. their commentary was, for whatever reason, the C6 doesn't seem to hold an alignment. maybe they're wrong, maybe that's just their limited number of cars seen/aligned.
but I asked for the alignment; they weren't trying to sell me anything. and I've been back 3 times in 2 years for one, plus one I had before going to them. each time, watching the machine, the car is out on at least two wheels and everything is tight to begin with.
I asked at a race shop while getting an alignment. their commentary was, for whatever reason, the C6 doesn't seem to hold an alignment. maybe they're wrong, maybe that's just their limited number of cars seen/aligned.
but I asked for the alignment; they weren't trying to sell me anything. and I've been back 3 times in 2 years for one, plus one I had before going to them. each time, watching the machine, the car is out on at least two wheels and everything is tight to begin with.
Do they torque the front Control arm bolts/nuts to the 125 lb ft factory spec and Tie rod nuts to 55?
Makes me wonder if it's bolt tension problem since the control arm bolt holds the adjuster cam in place.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 4
From: TremontonUT UT
Something to consider. When they roll the the car on the rack everything is new. They align the car and load it on the truck/train and send it to the dealer. Things settle, especially the springs. I have aligned thousands of outfits. There is nothing cheap or weak on the suspension. Little pot holes will not knock them out of alignment. We have a lot of them here in northern Utah. Big holes that the whole wheel drops into will as well as bumping into curbs.
When I bought my Vette last June with 9800 on it I had new Kumhos mounted and road forced balanced. I had the alignment checked. It was very close all the way around. Camber was at - .43. I think the factory spec is - .4. Since the tread gauge said the wear was excellent on the take offs I did not have it aligned. I now have 14.6K on the tires and they are wearing evenly all the way across and still have 7/32". Unless you have a tread depth gauge and use it regularly you won't know you have a problem until it's too late. It is hard to see 1/32 or 2/32" of wear without turning to wheels full lock. Just MHO, get you new Vette checked. Later! Frank
When I bought my Vette last June with 9800 on it I had new Kumhos mounted and road forced balanced. I had the alignment checked. It was very close all the way around. Camber was at - .43. I think the factory spec is - .4. Since the tread gauge said the wear was excellent on the take offs I did not have it aligned. I now have 14.6K on the tires and they are wearing evenly all the way across and still have 7/32". Unless you have a tread depth gauge and use it regularly you won't know you have a problem until it's too late. It is hard to see 1/32 or 2/32" of wear without turning to wheels full lock. Just MHO, get you new Vette checked. Later! Frank
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 58
From: Woodstock Ga
I've had two friends with GS and both had front tires go bad at 5,000 miles because for alinement issues so when mine gets here next week it will be done after the first 100 miles and all 4 wheels.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 609
From: Southeast, WI
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.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Ohio
The dealer only checks and corrects to GM specs which are not tight enough. Take your car to a specialist, preferably a racer and have it done. Our GS had 4 tires replaced after 4k miles even though the alignment was "in spec" the excessive wear proved otherwise. 8K on the new ones with no uneven wear.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
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.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 4
From: Kennesaw GA
My 2007 Needed an alignment off the hauler, pull to the right
My 2011 Needed an alignment off the hauler, pull to the left
Both times I was present when C6 arrived at the dealer, so unless they drove it on the hauler at about 65mph, the factory alignment dudes need to step it up.
I'm a Master Technician so fortunately I was able to perform my own alignments to exact specs. And yes, these cars don't seem to hold it long term. And I'm **** when it comes to proper torque specs so that's not it. I advise alignment check the day you get the car if possible.
My 2011 Needed an alignment off the hauler, pull to the left
Both times I was present when C6 arrived at the dealer, so unless they drove it on the hauler at about 65mph, the factory alignment dudes need to step it up.
I'm a Master Technician so fortunately I was able to perform my own alignments to exact specs. And yes, these cars don't seem to hold it long term. And I'm **** when it comes to proper torque specs so that's not it. I advise alignment check the day you get the car if possible.