Quick Question - Alignment
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Quick Question - Alignment
Guys, I hope everyone is doing well with the holidays approaching.
I am about to put some new tires on (opted to go with PS2 ZPs) and feel I may be in need of an alignment. I can't tell exactly how my tires are doing as I don't have a good spot to get under the car at the moment, but there appears to be a little wear at some odd angles. I've been told that this could very likely be due to the age of the tires (originals from '05), but I'm likely going to take the safe approach with my investment.
So to get to the point, I am wondering if there is any reason to have concern when taking your car in for an alignment to any various shops? Do I need to go to a shop that knows Corvettes inside and out or is an alignment an alignment? The two shops I'm considering at the moment are a very high-end shop that everyone raves about, but will charge me $170, and a shop recommended to me by Discount Tire that will supposedly charge me only $70 for a 4-wheel alignment (his business card even says that).
Opinions? Thoughts? All comments are welcome!
I am about to put some new tires on (opted to go with PS2 ZPs) and feel I may be in need of an alignment. I can't tell exactly how my tires are doing as I don't have a good spot to get under the car at the moment, but there appears to be a little wear at some odd angles. I've been told that this could very likely be due to the age of the tires (originals from '05), but I'm likely going to take the safe approach with my investment.
So to get to the point, I am wondering if there is any reason to have concern when taking your car in for an alignment to any various shops? Do I need to go to a shop that knows Corvettes inside and out or is an alignment an alignment? The two shops I'm considering at the moment are a very high-end shop that everyone raves about, but will charge me $170, and a shop recommended to me by Discount Tire that will supposedly charge me only $70 for a 4-wheel alignment (his business card even says that).
Opinions? Thoughts? All comments are welcome!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
The general recommendation around here is almost always to find a shop that "knows" Corvettes and won't be "practicing" or "learning" on your car.
If it were me, I would be inclined to go with the $170 place but that is the high end of pricing I've seen posted here and I would still ask them their experience with Vettes.
JMO of course.
If it were me, I would be inclined to go with the $170 place but that is the high end of pricing I've seen posted here and I would still ask them their experience with Vettes.
JMO of course.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Wheel Alignment
The Hunter 4 camera alignment system is the preferred machine to use. Check with the shop ahead of time to find-out what machine they use. If you do a search on the Forum, you will find the particulars of the settings to use depending on your driving style/preferences.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Thanks for the quick comments guys.
I didn't mentioned it before, but my car is a daily driver and I would classify my driving as "spirited." When I finally make it to the track, it'll be a 1/4 mile track.
I didn't mentioned it before, but my car is a daily driver and I would classify my driving as "spirited." When I finally make it to the track, it'll be a 1/4 mile track.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
while I don't disagree that the newer machinery is great to have/use, a good and competent operator can do wonders with 1, 2 or even more older generation equipment. for instance, the balancing machines used at barber motorsports for indycar was at least one gen old hunters.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
yes, you need a good shop that knows your car and the right specs for your driving. spirited may not mean the settings that relate closely to hard track usage. and 1/4 mile is not hard track usage as in curves.
while I don't disagree that the newer machinery is great to have/use, a good and competent operator can do wonders with 1, 2 or even more older generation equipment. for instance, the balancing machines used at barber motorsports for indycar was at least one gen old hunters.
while I don't disagree that the newer machinery is great to have/use, a good and competent operator can do wonders with 1, 2 or even more older generation equipment. for instance, the balancing machines used at barber motorsports for indycar was at least one gen old hunters.
