Question on Alignment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 356
Likes: 152
From: Clinton, Illinois
Question on Alignment
Hi there,
I just replaced my original Goodyear tires with the Michelin ZP tires. After inspecting the removed Goodyears I noticed the right front tire was extremely worn on the inboard side. The tire had cupping and was worn through to the core in one spot. I have read there is an alignment that can be done that is less aggressive for the tires. Does anyone know if that is true? The car is a bone stock 2006 6 speed. I am going to make an appointment today with my local Chevy dealer for the alignment.
MTF
I just replaced my original Goodyear tires with the Michelin ZP tires. After inspecting the removed Goodyears I noticed the right front tire was extremely worn on the inboard side. The tire had cupping and was worn through to the core in one spot. I have read there is an alignment that can be done that is less aggressive for the tires. Does anyone know if that is true? The car is a bone stock 2006 6 speed. I am going to make an appointment today with my local Chevy dealer for the alignment.
MTF
Pro
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From: The Villages, FL
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
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I have read about such an alignment as well. Read some older posts that talked about having that done right after taking delivery of a new C6. The 2 tire dealers I have dealt with for the past 20 years on many different vehicles always recommended doing an alignment when mounting up a new set of tires. Did you not have one done when you installed the new Michelins?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 356
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From: Clinton, Illinois
The tire shop has an older style alignment machine. They said the Corvette was too low to safely drive onto the ramp. The car has NOT been lowered from stock but after seeing the alignment machine my car would clearly scrape the ramp. So off to Chevrolet for the alignment. I live a couple of miles from the tire shop and have put on a total of 10 miles on the new tires. After seeing the damage to the originals I will not drive the car until it gets an alignment.
Race Director
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From: Central MO
Normal alignment from the factory usually wore out the inside edges of the tires, since the alignment was set for optimum handling vs optimum tire life.
Do a forum search on Pfadt street alignment; that's what you want. One caution - the way Pfadt specs (shows) toe-in vs toe-out are opposite of most other industry published specs. Just keep in mind that you want toe-in, not toe-out.
Do a forum search on Pfadt street alignment; that's what you want. One caution - the way Pfadt specs (shows) toe-in vs toe-out are opposite of most other industry published specs. Just keep in mind that you want toe-in, not toe-out.
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I have read about such an alignment as well. Read some older posts that talked about having that done right after taking delivery of a new C6. The 2 tire dealers I have dealt with for the past 20 years on many different vehicles always recommended doing an alignment when mounting up a new set of tires. Did you not have one done when you installed the new Michelins?
Attached the C6 Pfadt Corvette Alignment specifications here....................
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 356
Likes: 152
From: Clinton, Illinois
Thanks for the specs rkj427. I will take these to my Chevy dealer tomorrow for the appointment. After speaking to the service department they advised me they were aware of both alignment specs. I wonder how these Pfadt street alignment specs compare to the ones the dealer uses. If I find out I will post them so others can be aware of the difference.
MTF
MTF
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Lower New York
Thanks for the specs rkj427. I will take these to my Chevy dealer tomorrow for the appointment. After speaking to the service department they advised me they were aware of both alignment specs. I wonder how these Pfadt street alignment specs compare to the ones the dealer uses. If I find out I will post them so others can be aware of the difference.
MTF
MTF
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you really want to get max tire wear out of your C6 .......
Front Camber: . .-0.5 degrees
Rear Camber: . . -0.3 degrees
Front and Rear Toe: . . Set both to as close to zero as they can get it
Caster: . . Don't worry about it ... it's non-adjustable
Front Camber: . .-0.5 degrees
Rear Camber: . . -0.3 degrees
Front and Rear Toe: . . Set both to as close to zero as they can get it
Caster: . . Don't worry about it ... it's non-adjustable
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Melting Slicks
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
That's incorrect. It certainly is. You can use different amounts of washers for the front and rear upper mount bolts as well as moving both cams on the lowers to change caster. While this will adjust caster, it will of course also change camber and toe. There isn't a "this bolt does camber and this bolt does caster." It all works together.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Lower New York
That's incorrect. It certainly is. You can use different amounts of washers for the front and rear upper mount bolts as well as moving both cams on the lowers to change caster. While this will adjust caster, it will of course also change camber and toe. There isn't a "this bolt does camber and this bolt does caster." It all works together.
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Well .... Get your camber exactly where you want it .... Then try adjusting your caster, and you just screwed up your previously camber settings.
I guess that's why most shops will set the front camber and toe, and then leave the front caster alone.
I guess that's why most shops will set the front camber and toe, and then leave the front caster alone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
And for you to offer the answer to someone that is is not adjustable is both wrong and poor advice.
Last edited by Sox-Fan; Jun 24, 2019 at 03:22 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Orange County Ca
'06 with original tires? You were definitely ready for new shoes.
I had the same issue with my '08 at about 20k miles (now at 82k miles). Front tire inner edge is hard to see on a c6, and one tends to think that the inner edge would be the same as the outer. Not necessarily so.
So, whether the factory setting was not the best, or, the car just settled a bit and changed, after my initial alignment at about 20k miles, nothing has changed. The tires are wearing evenly.
How many miles on the car?
I had the same issue with my '08 at about 20k miles (now at 82k miles). Front tire inner edge is hard to see on a c6, and one tends to think that the inner edge would be the same as the outer. Not necessarily so.
So, whether the factory setting was not the best, or, the car just settled a bit and changed, after my initial alignment at about 20k miles, nothing has changed. The tires are wearing evenly.
How many miles on the car?
Last edited by Sayfoo; Jun 24, 2019 at 08:40 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Orange County Ca
OK, with that mileage, I would assume that nothing is worn out or damaged. Cupping can some times be associated with worn shocks. A decent shop should give it a once over while doing the work.
Any decent alignment shop should be able to take care of you. Take a good look at the tires periodically to check for feathered edges, etc. and correct if necessary.
Any decent alignment shop should be able to take care of you. Take a good look at the tires periodically to check for feathered edges, etc. and correct if necessary.