Alignment question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Alignment question
What would cause the right side tires to wear out faster than the left. Rt side tires are at the bars, left side have around 4/32. My Vette is an 11GS Vert.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 22
From: Whittier CA
Just had my tires replaced. My front tires were more worn then the rear tires. The inner portion of my front, driver's side tire was extremely worn.
Had an alignment done because the car was definitely out of alignment...
Had an alignment done because the car was definitely out of alignment...
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,547
Likes: 609
From: Southeast, WI
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Berwyn IL
A complete alignment on C2 & C3 is a whole other story -- and that is where you need a "Corvette tech." if you can find one who knows those cars.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Va
With 4600 mils on 11gs cpe, RR outside 2 treads and sidewall at bars. LR close as well. Rest of both rears were +60%.
Dealer who realigned at 600 miles, "oh its GY's fault and the factory agrees". They supposedly set it to the Phat street numbers. By way fronts are +60% and level.
Thank god GY has both class and customer service. They are fixing the dealer's bad alignment and putting two rears on for less than $250 total.
Dealer who realigned at 600 miles, "oh its GY's fault and the factory agrees". They supposedly set it to the Phat street numbers. By way fronts are +60% and level.
Thank god GY has both class and customer service. They are fixing the dealer's bad alignment and putting two rears on for less than $250 total.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 9
From: South Fort Myers Florida
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Here is another alignment question. What would happen if the caster on the left front is off (not camber)? Mine is out of spec and the tech doesn't "want" to adjust it because it is a pain. I remember if it was off towards the left of the scale so I think it has more caster than it should.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 12
From: "No matter where you go... there you are"...."You cannot drive a dollar bill". ...and remember... "D
I too was getting some wear on the inside of my tires....due to the agressive camber/toe in from the factory.....Went to a competent alignment guy....would you believe a Chevy dealer....and he set them way more neutral....since I don't track my car, the setup isn't noticeable...to me... and my tire wear is way more even....
On a side note...because most roads are/have a crown in the center...for rain drainage...that could put a very miniscule wear on the right side....(and that is really pushing it for excessive wear for sure...and remote at that) ......that being said....just do a good alignment....
.
On a side note...because most roads are/have a crown in the center...for rain drainage...that could put a very miniscule wear on the right side....(and that is really pushing it for excessive wear for sure...and remote at that) ......that being said....just do a good alignment....
.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: north charleston s.c.
Had to replace my front tires 2010 GS at 8500 miles i talk tothe Vet tech at Hendricks told him to align the wheels for my type driving i did swith to Mich run flats have 13000 now on new tires hardly any wear d GS is like Zo6 wide much better with this new align
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Remember what OP (Dave) said in his first sentence:
"...the right side tires to wear out faster than the left. ..."
I can think of several reasons, or combinations, but not really any one reason. Most of the answers are about 2 front tires, all tires, etc., but not an answer to your specific question. Bad alignment, other suspension parts that are bad, loose, worn (hard to believe with that little mileage, but anything is possible), even high crown roads (but that isn't your experience w. all other vehicles either). I doubt that it's bad springs, shocks, or worn components but.....
Somehow, I don't see the dealer being able to "diagnose" the issue and then solve it. If it were me, I'd find the best suspension/alignment specialist in town and ask them what they think.
"...the right side tires to wear out faster than the left. ..."
I can think of several reasons, or combinations, but not really any one reason. Most of the answers are about 2 front tires, all tires, etc., but not an answer to your specific question. Bad alignment, other suspension parts that are bad, loose, worn (hard to believe with that little mileage, but anything is possible), even high crown roads (but that isn't your experience w. all other vehicles either). I doubt that it's bad springs, shocks, or worn components but.....
Somehow, I don't see the dealer being able to "diagnose" the issue and then solve it. If it were me, I'd find the best suspension/alignment specialist in town and ask them what they think.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
I think the increased caster on one side might cause them to adjust the toe in on the right side causing that side to wear faster. I read that caster doesn't affect tire wear but it will cause it to pull to the side with less caster. Then toe in must increase to make it go straight.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Toe usually wears one side of the tire; toe-out wears the insides, toe-in wears the outsides.
There might be some combination of both toe and camber that could cause the problem.
Please keep us posted!
There might be some combination of both toe and camber that could cause the problem.
Please keep us posted!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
I'm going to definitely have them adjust the caster within specs. I think the left was 6.5 which is about 1 degree less than GM specs, right was within specs. I believe they compensated for the caster by toe in on the right so the car will go straight.