Front end alignment?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: NW Georgia
Front end alignment?
Just replaced two front tires and need an alignment. Can't find anyone that can do this since the car sits so low. Have tried all Chevy dealers in town and surrounding areas (Chattanooga nw Georgia). Nobody has a "pit"
Seriously? No C6 owner has never had their car aligned after spending $$ on tires? Really? Please help.
Seriously? No C6 owner has never had their car aligned after spending $$ on tires? Really? Please help.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
If tires wore evenly there is no need for an alignment. If the tires have unequal ware than an alignment is warranted. Discount the fact that the center of the tire is worn more than the edges, this just indicates slightly over inflation, seems that GM's tire pressure recommendation is slightly high, at least in summer when most of Corvette miles are driven.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: NW Georgia
If tires wore evenly there is no need for an alignment. If the tires have unequal ware than an alignment is warranted. Discount the fact that the center of the tire is worn more than the edges, this just indicates slightly over inflation, seems that GM's tire pressure recommendation is slightly high, at least in summer when most of Corvette miles are driven.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Check on your Regional Forum for advice on a local alignment shop that has a good reputation with Vettes and/or other high performance cars. A really good shop will do corner balancing too.
Use the PFADT street/track specs and have the shop take the time to get the numbers spot on.
GM allows for a spec window that is too broad in the 'acceptable range/variation of settings' and is often the reason new C6's have tire wear issues.
A dealer may say the numbers are within GM's specs but a qualified alignment shop will understand the need to really get it right.
YMMV
Use the PFADT street/track specs and have the shop take the time to get the numbers spot on.
GM allows for a spec window that is too broad in the 'acceptable range/variation of settings' and is often the reason new C6's have tire wear issues.
A dealer may say the numbers are within GM's specs but a qualified alignment shop will understand the need to really get it right.
YMMV
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
Too bad your not in Central Florida, I just had my 2 vettes and a Grand Cherokee in the last 3 months done by an awesome shop here in Orlando. He will use any specs you want... $59
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 128
From: Coventry RI
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '25
Check on your Regional Forum for advice on a local alignment shop that has a good reputation with Vettes and/or other high performance cars. A really good shop will do corner balancing too.
Use the PFADT street/track specs and have the shop take the time to get the numbers spot on.
GM allows for a spec window that is too broad in the 'acceptable range/variation of settings' and is often the reason new C6's have tire wear issues.
A dealer may say the numbers are within GM's specs but a qualified alignment shop will understand the need to really get it right.
YMMV
Use the PFADT street/track specs and have the shop take the time to get the numbers spot on.
GM allows for a spec window that is too broad in the 'acceptable range/variation of settings' and is often the reason new C6's have tire wear issues.
A dealer may say the numbers are within GM's specs but a qualified alignment shop will understand the need to really get it right.
YMMV
Regional forum is a great idea, and possibly your local Corvette Club, they are usually glad to help...
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
And to add to both Dennis above and **** J., I'd suggest finding a local road-racing club, or track where you can ask racers where they take their cars. Someone does it for them or they use the line method in garages.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 181
From: Menifee (I.E.) CA
Well, you really do need to get that car up in the air to actually see all the damage you've done! An alignment might be the least of your worries.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 12
From: Buford GA
For North Georgia/Atlanta, go straight to Grand Tourismo East. They are in Chamblee, just inside the perimeter. I've been using them for several years. It will be worth your drive. They use a Hunter laser machine for accuracy, but more impotantly they deal with performance cars and race cars that sit low to the ground all day long. My car sits very low and they put it on thier rack with no problem. They can set the car up to your exact specifications, or they can recommend the right settings for you based on your needs/wants. Thier alignments are spot on, none of this +/- six inch stuff that some places provide. I'm pretty picky about my alignment and they keep me happy.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: NW Georgia
That is a great idea! I've got to work in Atlanta Thursday and Friday and will make an appointment. I'm about 110 miles from Atlanta and am down there a lot for work so that will be great. I've called a couple of places and unfortunately have gotten some vague answers.....not sure if this is patronizing the girl that's calling or what........oh well.
This is a base 2010 daily driver for me and I love, love, LOVE this car!
This is a base 2010 daily driver for me and I love, love, LOVE this car!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 418
Likes: 1
From: Metro Atlanta Georgia
For North Georgia/Atlanta, go straight to Grand Tourismo East. They are in Chamblee, just inside the perimeter. I've been using them for several years. It will be worth your drive. They use a Hunter laser machine for accuracy, but more impotantly they deal with performance cars and race cars that sit low to the ground all day long. My car sits very low and they put it on thier rack with no problem. They can set the car up to your exact specifications, or they can recommend the right settings for you based on your needs/wants. Thier alignments are spot on, none of this +/- six inch stuff that some places provide. I'm pretty picky about my alignment and they keep me happy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,113
Likes: 8
From: Pottsboro; Sometimes Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '12
Build some ramps w/lumber....they do not need to be very long...jus enough to get the front onto the ramps. My Z06 rubbed some but it can rub some and not hurt it.
I had the same issue w/my Z...I took my homemade ramps w/me and they worked well enough to get it up on the ramps. Backing off is no issue....it will rub a little but will not hurt it.
I had the same issue w/my Z...I took my homemade ramps w/me and they worked well enough to get it up on the ramps. Backing off is no issue....it will rub a little but will not hurt it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
Just replaced two front tires and need an alignment. Can't find anyone that can do this since the car sits so low. Have tried all Chevy dealers in town and surrounding areas (Chattanooga nw Georgia). Nobody has a "pit"
Seriously? No C6 owner has never had their car aligned after spending $$ on tires? Really? Please help.
Seriously? No C6 owner has never had their car aligned after spending $$ on tires? Really? Please help.
z51vett
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
z51vett
Doug
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 12
From: Buford GA
Glad to hear you made it over to GTE, SophieCat. Kieran, Jeff, and the whole GTE team are passionate about their work and their customers. I knew they would do a great job for you. They just finished a new chassis set-up on my car a couple of weeks ago and I'm headed back over there next week to mount up the first two sets of tires for the upcoming race season. 