I need to get my 09 aligned. I called the local vette shop I use to ask if they recommend anyone local and come to find out they do it. They said it is a 4 wheel alignment and runs about $325. Ouch!
I told the guy thanks and then called the tire shop I use for the tires on the vette and they said $90. I asked if that was a 4 wheel alignment and they said yes it is. I know the specialty shop does charge more per hr for repairs but in this case am I getting anything more for the extra $$$? Do you guys see a need for a specialty shop for an alignment or will the tire shop do the same job? The girl at the tire shop asked if my vette was lowered as it won't go on their lift so it sounds like they have dealt with vettes in the past. Thoughts?

 

If you need a "within spec" alignment, tire shop probably OK. If, they can get it on the machine without damage. Best to remove outside air dam pieces. If you want a special street or track alignment go elsewhere. Good luck!

 

Most shop's alignment is a quick churn and burn, get it between the ditches alignment. I'll pay more at a good alignment shop to get a thorough Pfadt Pure Street alignment that's as close to perfect as they can get it. I haven't needed one since the last time I put tires on it 10 years and 20k miles ago (car stays in a climate controlled basement garage, essentially no UV exposure, the tires still looked great with lots of tread but I wasn't comfortable on the highway running 80 mph on them). I just had new Michelin AS4 ZPs put on it on Monday.

 

I've used the same place that installs my tires. Just don't use the factory specs. I use the Pfadt pure street alignment.

 

As others have noted, the Pfadt street alignment is far better than the OEM settings. You need t find a shop that will allow you to observe the digital readouts to insure you get an accurate alignment.
That generally means a specialty shop, but the $325 you were quoted seems excessive. $150-$200 is more reasonable. Check with your local Corvette club to see who they recommend.

 

i went to a specialty shop for alignment done to my specs and was charged 120 if i remember right. 90 sounds like a nice deal. Sounds like the 325 guy didn't want the job

 

Thanks for the replies. I made an appointment with the tire shop to have it done there. When I called to make the appointment I told them I have a spec sheet to use and they told me that would be no problem and I would get a printout of the final alignment.

 

My friend who is doing my harmonic balancer via dropping the cradle said I might need an alignment afterwards. I'm curious as to what makes the alignment specs you posted (street only) better than OEM?

 

I'd been looking for the same info. Thanks for the post. Now I just need to find a reputable shop!

 

I don't think an alignment is needed if you drop the cradle but not 100% sure

 

I used the drop the cradle method to replace my HB. I saw no reason to align mine and it drives just as it always did, perfectly.

 

Sweet!

 

OEM for base models and pfadt pure street are very close. If you have a GS, and don't track it, OEM is very aggressive and will wear tires out quickly thus using the pfadt settings.

 

I went with the PFADT Pure Street settings and the handling is great and the tire wear is way better than OEM. The factory OEM GS alignment specs are really aggressive for street driving and you will wear out your tires way faster than necessary.

 

I put on a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 ZP and had the PFADT alignment done at my closest Discount Tire. The tech was very meticulous at making sure the set up exactly matched the Pure Street setting. What a difference in driving now.

 

Where do you live? The Discount Tires here in the SW do not do alignments.

 

Posts here reference PFADT street being close to OEM street for a base C6.
Another post here for a C6 GS says the PFADT street yielded good results and better than OEM for drivability and wear.
I have a C6 Z06.
Will the PFADT Street be suitable for a Z? Are there different PFADT specs for different model C6's?

 

The OEM GS and Z06 alignment has an aggressive camber, designed to give better handling when tracking the car. This wears the inside edges of the front tires. The OEM Goodyears were almost down to the steel belts at 12k-13k miles before I noticed the wear. Pfadt Pure street alignment has resulted in even wear on my GS for 10 years and over 20k miles on my previous set of tires. You give up a little handling when pushing the car hard, but it doesn't really make any practical difference for a street-only car. I still regularly push the car hard in corners and roundabouts and don't miss that little extra bit of handling.

 

I live in Metro Phoenix and searched around and asked many where to take the car to do an alignment. I ended up in Phoenix at Network Alignment which has been around for many years. My track buddies have always used them to do your track set up as well as street alignment. I had replaced the rear shocks and replaced the rear tie rod ends at the same time (which was needed), and yes I did the job myself. I also did my best to measure and align (the old string and tape measure alignment approach). Car tracked very good, and when the alignment was done the tech told me it was within 1/16th of an inch in the rear. I had also replaced the tie rods on the front about 6 months ago and did the same measuring.
All that the front end needed was a bit of toe adjustment. Car tracks perfect, and the bill was $99.99. So if anyone in Phoenix wants the place to go for an alignment, this is the place. They have a 6 month guarantee and I was advised to bring the care back in just before the 6 months and they will recheck the alignment for free. By the way, my car is lowered, and they had all of what they needed to get the car on the rack without incident. And, they are open 7 days a week!

 

I had an alignment following a broken rear toe link repair. The cost was $400. The shop will perform custom alignments and even factors in the weight of the driver.