Help with alignment
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Help with alignment
There's been several threads about getting an alignment recently, some who have needed it even with a stock ride height. Well I lowered mine a week ago, and the rear has settled quite a bit over this week. Once everything stops moving around I'd like to have my alignment checked. Sometimes it pulls right, sometimes it goes straight, depending on the roads, but I don't know which is correct.
So my questions are...
What do I need to look for in a competent place to do this?
Is there certain types of equipment they should/shouldn't use?
What can I expect to pay?
So my questions are...
What do I need to look for in a competent place to do this?
Is there certain types of equipment they should/shouldn't use?
What can I expect to pay?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
I had the same questions and ended up at Mr. Tire. Mr. Tire is a well known and large chain here in Maryland and the local shop does work for tuners so I figured they were OK. Long story short, they suck, but I did find out what I need to know for next time. Here are some tips that I think might help if (as was my case) you are not near a high end shop and you are trying to find a place to do your alignment:
(1) Ask them if they have the specs for an 05 Corvette. If they don't, ask them if they will use specs you provide. Here are the C6 alignment specs. I believe they work for both base and Z51.
(2) Ask them if they will set your alignment to the specs and not just check them to see if they are within limits. A lot of places will leave settings alone if they are within specs, but you want a place that will actually set all the parameters to the preferred values even if they are only a little off.
(3) Make sure they agree to do the whole alignment. The Mr. Tire that I went to didn't even check caster because they said it was "non-adjustable". That's baloney! Make sure they will check and set camber, caster, and toe and make sure they agree to give you a before/after printout when they are done.
(4) Cost. You be the judge but most people believe that the Chevy dealer won't do a good job like an alignment shop where that's all they do. Under 7,500 miles though, and your alignment is free at the dealer. You be the judge but you'll pay up to $120 or even higher for a 4 wheel alignment at an alignment shop.
Good luck,
Mike
(1) Ask them if they have the specs for an 05 Corvette. If they don't, ask them if they will use specs you provide. Here are the C6 alignment specs. I believe they work for both base and Z51.
(2) Ask them if they will set your alignment to the specs and not just check them to see if they are within limits. A lot of places will leave settings alone if they are within specs, but you want a place that will actually set all the parameters to the preferred values even if they are only a little off.
(3) Make sure they agree to do the whole alignment. The Mr. Tire that I went to didn't even check caster because they said it was "non-adjustable". That's baloney! Make sure they will check and set camber, caster, and toe and make sure they agree to give you a before/after printout when they are done.
(4) Cost. You be the judge but most people believe that the Chevy dealer won't do a good job like an alignment shop where that's all they do. Under 7,500 miles though, and your alignment is free at the dealer. You be the judge but you'll pay up to $120 or even higher for a 4 wheel alignment at an alignment shop.
Good luck,
Mike
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Millington TN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by mikeyc6
I had the same questions and ended up at Mr. Tire. Mr. Tire is a well known and large chain here in Maryland and the local shop does work for tuners so I figured they were OK. Long story short, they suck, but I did find out what I need to know for next time. Here are some tips that I think might help if (as was my case) you are not near a high end shop and you are trying to find a place to do your alignment:
(1) Ask them if they have the specs for an 05 Corvette. If they don't, ask them if they will use specs you provide. Here are the C6 alignment specs. I believe they work for both base and Z51.
(2) Ask them if they will set your alignment to the specs and not just check them to see if they are within limits. A lot of places will leave settings alone if they are within specs, but you want a place that will actually set all the parameters to the preferred values even if they are only a little off.
(3) Make sure they agree to do the whole alignment. The Mr. Tire that I went to didn't even check caster because they said it was "non-adjustable". That's baloney! Make sure they will check and set camber, caster, and toe and make sure they agree to give you a before/after printout when they are done.
(4) Cost. You be the judge but most people believe that the Chevy dealer won't do a good job like an alignment shop where that's all they do. Under 7,500 miles though, and your alignment is free at the dealer. You be the judge but you'll pay up to $120 or even higher for a 4 wheel alignment at an alignment shop.
Good luck,
Mike
(1) Ask them if they have the specs for an 05 Corvette. If they don't, ask them if they will use specs you provide. Here are the C6 alignment specs. I believe they work for both base and Z51.
(2) Ask them if they will set your alignment to the specs and not just check them to see if they are within limits. A lot of places will leave settings alone if they are within specs, but you want a place that will actually set all the parameters to the preferred values even if they are only a little off.
(3) Make sure they agree to do the whole alignment. The Mr. Tire that I went to didn't even check caster because they said it was "non-adjustable". That's baloney! Make sure they will check and set camber, caster, and toe and make sure they agree to give you a before/after printout when they are done.
(4) Cost. You be the judge but most people believe that the Chevy dealer won't do a good job like an alignment shop where that's all they do. Under 7,500 miles though, and your alignment is free at the dealer. You be the judge but you'll pay up to $120 or even higher for a 4 wheel alignment at an alignment shop.
Good luck,
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
A friend of mine here in Dallas lowered his a bit (stock bushings) and then took it to the dealer and told them he thought the alignment was off...they did it for free. Just a thought, as I lowered mine quite a bit more and paid a GY store $100 to do it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Big Ron 77
A friend of mine here in Dallas lowered his a bit (stock bushings) and then took it to the dealer and told them he thought the alignment was off...they did it for free. Just a thought, as I lowered mine quite a bit more and paid a GY store $100 to do it.
Ron,
Which GY (Goodyear) store did you go to and did they align your car to GM's specs?
I'm looking to get my car aligned to GM specs but don't know who to trust here in DFW.
Thanks
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