Alignment issue? (T&P)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Prosper TX
Alignment issue? (T&P)
I'm at 13K miles on the stock (Z51) runflats. At about 5K miles I noticed inner front tire wear being greater than outer. I took it back to the dealer who check an adjusted the alignment slightly. They said it was in spec but on the outer edge of the spec. I believe they know what they are doing. They are the biggest Chevy dealer in the US and sell a lot of Corvettes. Plus, a very good friend is associated with the dealership, so they treat me well. (I say this because I really don't think this is a case of incompetence or someone telling me they did something when they didn't.).
While I'm not happy to have to replace my stocks at 13K miles, I'm wondering if this is how the alignment is designed? I thought I'd read here that a good alignment shop can align for "minimum wear". If so, does this have a noticeable effect on handling? I don't race...this is a DD 'vert....but I don't want to mess up the handling....
Also, I need to replace the rubber ASAP. I'm thinking I should get another alignment with the original tires on so the shop can see my wear concern. Is this a good, bad or irrelevant idea?
Lastly, for anyone in the North Dallas area....I was told once that there was a shop in McKinney that did a very good job of alignment. Anyone know what shop it is? Anyone in the area have suggestions on another location?
Thanks all
While I'm not happy to have to replace my stocks at 13K miles, I'm wondering if this is how the alignment is designed? I thought I'd read here that a good alignment shop can align for "minimum wear". If so, does this have a noticeable effect on handling? I don't race...this is a DD 'vert....but I don't want to mess up the handling....
Also, I need to replace the rubber ASAP. I'm thinking I should get another alignment with the original tires on so the shop can see my wear concern. Is this a good, bad or irrelevant idea?
Lastly, for anyone in the North Dallas area....I was told once that there was a shop in McKinney that did a very good job of alignment. Anyone know what shop it is? Anyone in the area have suggestions on another location?
Thanks all
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 17
From: Stokesdale NC
With the SuperCar tires, you probably won't get too much more than 13K from them. My non-Z51 regular GYs were done in 20K miles.
Inner wear on the fronts can come from negative camber or toe out. The factory specs for both are pretty wide:
Camber -0.45°±0.60°
Toe 0.10°±0.20°
I would have your shop set the alignment to as close to the target values as possible, without using any of the tolerance. If he measures the alignment and that is what you have and you are still getting inner front tire wear that bothers you, have him reduce the camber so it is closer to 0.
Inner wear on the fronts can come from negative camber or toe out. The factory specs for both are pretty wide:
Camber -0.45°±0.60°
Toe 0.10°±0.20°
I would have your shop set the alignment to as close to the target values as possible, without using any of the tolerance. If he measures the alignment and that is what you have and you are still getting inner front tire wear that bothers you, have him reduce the camber so it is closer to 0.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
If you want reasonable tire wear for street driving, you need to tell the alignment shop to set the camber at no more than -1/8 deg.
You could have over 1 deg. negative camber and still be within factory specs., but the specs. are for best handling, not to maximize tire wear.
Also, make sure toe-in is no more than 1/16" on each side.
You could have over 1 deg. negative camber and still be within factory specs., but the specs. are for best handling, not to maximize tire wear.
Also, make sure toe-in is no more than 1/16" on each side.
