Can't Get Alignment Right
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,049
Likes: 945
From: DFW TX
Can't Get Alignment Right
Alright everyone.
My 2005 Z51 has been aligned 3 times in the last year, and it still does not feel right. All 3 times it has been done by very repudable shops, and the aligned within spec perfectly. Then after a few weeks the car starts pulling to the right again. It has always been to the right.
I have checked the coilover ride height, tire pressure, etc. but this car just will not stop pulling to the right. I have visabley checked the right side to make sure nothing is bent or broken and everything seems ok.
It's driving me crazy.
My 2005 Z51 has been aligned 3 times in the last year, and it still does not feel right. All 3 times it has been done by very repudable shops, and the aligned within spec perfectly. Then after a few weeks the car starts pulling to the right again. It has always been to the right.
I have checked the coilover ride height, tire pressure, etc. but this car just will not stop pulling to the right. I have visabley checked the right side to make sure nothing is bent or broken and everything seems ok.
It's driving me crazy.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
within spec perfectly
find a flat parking lot. see if it pulls to the right there. If it does not it is aligned.
May guess is your driving on a crowned road and the car pulls are falls down the crown
or drive in the left lane of a four lane road. see how it feels in the left lane.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,049
Likes: 945
From: DFW TX
That is your problem Factor specs are TOO wide. and I bet it was also aligned for crowned road.
find a flat parking lot. see if it pulls to the right there. If it does not it is aligned.
May guess is your driving on a crowned road and the car pulls are falls down the crown
or drive in the left lane of a four lane road. see how it feels in the left lane.
find a flat parking lot. see if it pulls to the right there. If it does not it is aligned.
May guess is your driving on a crowned road and the car pulls are falls down the crown
or drive in the left lane of a four lane road. see how it feels in the left lane.
I just got it aligned 2 weeks ago, and it's pulling again. Somethign has to be coming out of spec over time. Something isn't torqued good or something.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,485
Likes: 713
From: Sausalito CA
If not a crown, reads like you have substantial suspension modifications.
I would imagine some componet is loose and moving over time.
Take a service manual and torque wrench under the Vette and re-torque every bolt in the suspension including the cross member, sway bars, shock mounts etc. A visual check wound do it....need to torque and physically measure.
Could also be a failed bushing. Steering box issue? Wheel bearing/hub? caliper drag?
Also of help to us would be what the before and after alignment specs are once that 3 week time passes. For example does everything stay the same spec expect the one left rear caster?
I would imagine some componet is loose and moving over time.
Take a service manual and torque wrench under the Vette and re-torque every bolt in the suspension including the cross member, sway bars, shock mounts etc. A visual check wound do it....need to torque and physically measure.
Could also be a failed bushing. Steering box issue? Wheel bearing/hub? caliper drag?
Also of help to us would be what the before and after alignment specs are once that 3 week time passes. For example does everything stay the same spec expect the one left rear caster?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,049
Likes: 945
From: DFW TX
I will post up the alignment specs tonight.
I only have coil overs on the car. It does have the Z51 package on it, but other than this, the coil overs are the only mods.
I am going to take it back to the shot Thursday for them to looks at the alignment again. It will be interesting to see if the alignment is off again.
I only have coil overs on the car. It does have the Z51 package on it, but other than this, the coil overs are the only mods.
I am going to take it back to the shot Thursday for them to looks at the alignment again. It will be interesting to see if the alignment is off again.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 5
From: Ambler Pa.
I will post up the alignment specs tonight.
I only have coil overs on the car. It does have the Z51 package on it, but other than this, the coil overs are the only mods.
I am going to take it back to the shot Thursday for them to looks at the alignment again. It will be interesting to see if the alignment is off again.
I only have coil overs on the car. It does have the Z51 package on it, but other than this, the coil overs are the only mods.
I am going to take it back to the shot Thursday for them to looks at the alignment again. It will be interesting to see if the alignment is off again.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 4
From: TremontonUT UT
I have seen this quite a few times. Once on my 05. It was a rear tire that caused the pull. If rotating the fronts doesn't do it try the rears also. Later! Frank
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,049
Likes: 945
From: DFW TX
Rotating the tires isn't in the cards. The fronts and rears are different sizes.
I would have to buy new tires to test this.
The tires are brand new though. Maybe 3000 miles on them.
I would have to buy new tires to test this.
The tires are brand new though. Maybe 3000 miles on them.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Garland TX
Rear tires have the same potential for trouble. I found this out on aircraft the expensive way. and recently my Dodge Ram. had the dealer align it all was good, got bored one day and rotated tires pulled one direction so went back to dealer and had alignment checked it was perfect. swapped 2 front tires and it went down the road like on rails.
Your tires can scrub a set to them in less than 100 miles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unless you hit a open manhole I would start with Discount Tire. Tell Bob howdy from me at Ruf !!!!!!!!!!
Tireolgy is facinating but unforgiving some times as others have said.
Good Luck
Harry
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,049
Likes: 945
From: DFW TX
Tim, Frank had the answer. Unless you are sure the Discount Tire man put the same tire on the right side when they mounted the new wheels. check and be sure the rotation arrows are right. Your other option is have Discount swap front tires on wheels. I will bet a Miller Lite your alignment is just where the invoice and print out show it.
Rear tires have the same potential for trouble. I found this out on aircraft the expensive way. and recently my Dodge Ram. had the dealer align it all was good, got bored one day and rotated tires pulled one direction so went back to dealer and had alignment checked it was perfect. swapped 2 front tires and it went down the road like on rails.
Your tires can scrub a set to them in less than 100 miles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unless you hit a open manhole I would start with Discount Tire. Tell Bob howdy from me at Ruf !!!!!!!!!!
Tireolgy is facinating but unforgiving some times as others have said.
Good Luck
Harry
Rear tires have the same potential for trouble. I found this out on aircraft the expensive way. and recently my Dodge Ram. had the dealer align it all was good, got bored one day and rotated tires pulled one direction so went back to dealer and had alignment checked it was perfect. swapped 2 front tires and it went down the road like on rails.
Your tires can scrub a set to them in less than 100 miles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unless you hit a open manhole I would start with Discount Tire. Tell Bob howdy from me at Ruf !!!!!!!!!!
Tireolgy is facinating but unforgiving some times as others have said.
Good Luck
Harry
It will be interesting to see if the alignment is off Thursday. That will tall me that something is coming out of spec.
