Help with alignment
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 99
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From: Michigan
Help with alignment
I have searched several threads about alignment, and haven't been able to find the answer I need, so hopefully you guys can help me.
Today, I got an alignment on my Z51 2005 Coupe. I brought in the following specs for the shop:
LF camber -0.1, caster 7.9, toe 0
RF camber -0.1, caster 7.9, toe 0
LB camber -0.1, toe 0
RB camber -0.1, toe 0
(I got these numbers from the other threads on alignment...thanks!)
The shop are "vette specialists"...and they hit everything pretty much spot on, except... They actually put the left front caster at 6.8 (outside factory specs--7.3 min) and the right front at 8.0 (close enough to what I wanted). I asked them what was up with the left front, and they said that in Michigan, due to the crown of the road, they put the caster about 1 degree off to make sure it doesn't pull to the left. My question is: What do you guys think of that? I want the longest life for my tires since I don't race.
Thanks in advance.
Scott
Today, I got an alignment on my Z51 2005 Coupe. I brought in the following specs for the shop:
LF camber -0.1, caster 7.9, toe 0
RF camber -0.1, caster 7.9, toe 0
LB camber -0.1, toe 0
RB camber -0.1, toe 0
(I got these numbers from the other threads on alignment...thanks!)
The shop are "vette specialists"...and they hit everything pretty much spot on, except... They actually put the left front caster at 6.8 (outside factory specs--7.3 min) and the right front at 8.0 (close enough to what I wanted). I asked them what was up with the left front, and they said that in Michigan, due to the crown of the road, they put the caster about 1 degree off to make sure it doesn't pull to the left. My question is: What do you guys think of that? I want the longest life for my tires since I don't race.
Thanks in advance.
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
hmm, can't comment (someone else will) on the need for the difference to account for high-crown roads. mine are somewhat similar at 7.8 and 8.3, left and right. so, I'd say not to worry (and mine is a Vette shop too).
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: San Diego ,CA, USA
I heard the same story from a dealer about unbalancing the caster. May be true in some cars, I will not argue, but not for my C6. Maybe skinny tires track the road more, I dunno.
My front settings are -0.5 camber, -10 degrees caster both sides and a tad bit of toe in (minimal, maybe 1/16 inch, but toe in).
Caster will not cause wear, it is more about feel. I do not like light steering and the factory caster felt twitchy to me, too light and twitchy.
I think GM fixed the steering feel on the 2011 models by adjusting the power assist when AH or TC was off??? I didn't have that option on my 09 so I increased the caster. Equal on both sides but more than GM spec.
I have about 9,000 miles on the alignment and the tires are wearing very well. I track the wear and record it so that I can decide in the future if I want to change it. Based on what I see and feel I will not change a thing.
My front settings are -0.5 camber, -10 degrees caster both sides and a tad bit of toe in (minimal, maybe 1/16 inch, but toe in).
Caster will not cause wear, it is more about feel. I do not like light steering and the factory caster felt twitchy to me, too light and twitchy.
I think GM fixed the steering feel on the 2011 models by adjusting the power assist when AH or TC was off??? I didn't have that option on my 09 so I increased the caster. Equal on both sides but more than GM spec.
I have about 9,000 miles on the alignment and the tires are wearing very well. I track the wear and record it so that I can decide in the future if I want to change it. Based on what I see and feel I will not change a thing.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Ia
I just had my C6 aligned yesterday. Just so you know I do take it to the track about once a month and have some fun. These are my current settings.
LF
Camber -1.2deg
Caster 8.1deg
Toe .05
RF
Camber -1.3deg
Caster 9.0deg
Toe .04
LR
Camber -.6
Toe -.01
RR
Camber .7
Toe -.01
I asked the same question about the caster and got the same reply you did. I have the neg camber to help with cornering at high speed so I dont wear the outside of my tires so bad. But like everything its a give and take. I will wear the inside a little more than the factory set up. But I like how it handles much better with these settings.
LF
Camber -1.2deg
Caster 8.1deg
Toe .05
RF
Camber -1.3deg
Caster 9.0deg
Toe .04
LR
Camber -.6
Toe -.01
RR
Camber .7
Toe -.01
I asked the same question about the caster and got the same reply you did. I have the neg camber to help with cornering at high speed so I dont wear the outside of my tires so bad. But like everything its a give and take. I will wear the inside a little more than the factory set up. But I like how it handles much better with these settings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 802
Likes: 6
From: Oro Valley AZ
