alignment recommendations
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: DFW texas
alignment recommendations
Ive done searches and got different info. I noticed my GS rears are worn on the outside, but the inside half are like damn near brand new. I have 17K miles. Is this type of wear the norm with the factory alignment specs? For people that are having their alignment set to different specs....can you post the specs that will get the most mileage? Im a daily driver that just cruises and has fun with the power but definitely don't need track like alignment. Im replacing the fronts with the Firestone rflats. Before I replace the rears, I would like to get the alignment figured out.
thanks
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
I noticed my GS rears are worn on the outside, but the inside half are like damn near brand new. ....can you post the specs that will get the most mileage? Im a daily driver that just cruises and has fun with the power but definitely don't need track like alignment. Before I replace the rears, I would like to get the alignment figured out.
thanks
thanks
I think you should get the new front and rear tires on THEN get an alignment.
Most here seem very happy with the Pfadt Pure Street alignment for decent performance and tire wear. BUT notice that, unlike the factory specs, there is NO RANGE of specs for the Pfadt settings.....they are intended to EXACT.....NO plus/minus. That is what makes them work.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
Outside edge wear is pretty unusual I believe.
I think you should get the new front and rear tires on THEN get an alignment.
Most here seem very happy with the Pfadt Pure Street alignment for decent performance and tire wear. BUT notice that, unlike the factory specs, there is NO RANGE of specs for the Pfadt settings.....they are intended to EXACT.....NO plus/minus. That is what makes them work.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf
I think you should get the new front and rear tires on THEN get an alignment.
Most here seem very happy with the Pfadt Pure Street alignment for decent performance and tire wear. BUT notice that, unlike the factory specs, there is NO RANGE of specs for the Pfadt settings.....they are intended to EXACT.....NO plus/minus. That is what makes them work.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf
Align using - PFADT Street Alignment Specs
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
GM specs are good if they are in the center of the tolerance. I have about 1500 miles on this alignment and no abnormal wear. If you got 17k on the OEM rear tires then your alignment is pretty good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 925
Likes: 208
From: Cape Cod Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
17K out of original GS tires? This must be some kind of record...
A friend of mine just had to replace both fronts at a little over 7K.
A check of his alignment found it to be way off - all 4 corners.
I decided to have mine checked (also around 7K) and all 4 of my corners were out as well.
My tire wear is a little better than his, but if I see 10 or 12K I'm going to be surprised.
And btw - my car is a sunny sundays, never been hammered, cruiser, too...
Like has been stated before - Pfadt 'street performance' settings are the way to go...
geo
A friend of mine just had to replace both fronts at a little over 7K.
A check of his alignment found it to be way off - all 4 corners.
I decided to have mine checked (also around 7K) and all 4 of my corners were out as well.
My tire wear is a little better than his, but if I see 10 or 12K I'm going to be surprised.
And btw - my car is a sunny sundays, never been hammered, cruiser, too...
Like has been stated before - Pfadt 'street performance' settings are the way to go...
geo
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: DFW texas
thanks guys.....I have 17K. It weird. Its almost like they still had a little tread on them at 15.5k and then they were gone. Hell, If I would have swapped the backs (same direction) at 9K, They might still have a little left. I was going to go with the Michelin, but I think im going to try the firestone RF this time. I really noticed this spring that the tread was getting low when I was skiing when it rain. The hydroplaning was never an issue until now. Ive always had rears wear in the middle. It was strange to see outside wear. Also, I had a free alignment when it was pulling to the right a little, so who knows how GM Vandergriff in Arlington did? Ive been unhappy with them since my service guy for 10 years left.
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 732
Likes: 2
I don't know if it's normal or not, but after reading about tire wear I bought a tread depth gage and measured my tires. I have about 4500 miles on my GS tires and measured the inside, center, and outside tread depth on all four. On the front both tire measured 7/32 all the way across, but on the rears both tire measured 7/32 on the inside and. Center treads but 5/32 on the outside. So I guess my question is, should I be thinking about getting an alignment done?
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Instructor
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From: NY & FLORIDA
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Thanks for all the info. Going to bowling green next year don't need tire problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
thanks guys.....I have 17K. It weird. Its almost like they still had a little tread on them at 15.5k and then they were gone. Hell, If I would have swapped the backs (same direction) at 9K, They might still have a little left. I was going to go with the Michelin, but I think im going to try the firestone RF this time. I really noticed this spring that the tread was getting low when I was skiing when it rain. The hydroplaning was never an issue until now. Ive always had rears wear in the middle. It was strange to see outside wear. Also, I had a free alignment when it was pulling to the right a little, so who knows how GM Vandergriff in Arlington did? Ive been unhappy with them since my service guy for 10 years left.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Goodyear's are crap anyway. I have 12k miles with the center of GM specs on my Super Sports and I'm just hitting 7/32 on the rears.
