Balancer Replacement & Wheel Alignment
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 24
Likes: 24
From: Lake, MI
Balancer Replacement & Wheel Alignment
Hey Everyone,
I did search for this and didn't find anything concrete, so i'll apologize in advance if I missed a thread..but long question short:
I will be replacing the HB on my 08 M6 Z51 Base over the winter or right before the "season" starts. As expected will be removing the steering rack, and there's GREAT info out there on how to do that, but interestingly there doesn't seem to be anything that says "And once it's all done you need to get get an alignment".
I would ASSUME that you should do at LEAST a front end alignment, but more than likely a 4-wheel. What is the general consensus....I know this is pretty much a newbie question but it surprisingly isn't often mentioned.
Love to hear opinions and experiences!
I did search for this and didn't find anything concrete, so i'll apologize in advance if I missed a thread..but long question short:
I will be replacing the HB on my 08 M6 Z51 Base over the winter or right before the "season" starts. As expected will be removing the steering rack, and there's GREAT info out there on how to do that, but interestingly there doesn't seem to be anything that says "And once it's all done you need to get get an alignment".
I would ASSUME that you should do at LEAST a front end alignment, but more than likely a 4-wheel. What is the general consensus....I know this is pretty much a newbie question but it surprisingly isn't often mentioned.
Love to hear opinions and experiences!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
theoretically everything should go back the way it came apart. However, checking the toe is never a bad thing.......
I'd confirm the jam nuts are snug before you start so you don't accidently spin one
I'd confirm the jam nuts are snug before you start so you don't accidently spin one
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
the cradle pins are generally well fitted and I would suggest marking the camber concentrics just to be safe. If the steering isn't centered afterward, you'll definitely want to check the alignment. If anything moves (camber bolts, tie rod ends, cradle etc) your steering will be off.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 506
Likes: 57
From: New York
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tch-today.html
I had the balancer replaced this past May.
The installer mentioned to me that instead of removing the rack, they lower the front subframe to gain access to the balancer. When I picked the car up my steering wheel was off center. I let it go knowing I was replacing my wheels and tires in the near future. The above link describes what the Alignment tech found the day of my alignment. So , in my case the subframe being lowered affected my alignment.
Matt
I had the balancer replaced this past May.
The installer mentioned to me that instead of removing the rack, they lower the front subframe to gain access to the balancer. When I picked the car up my steering wheel was off center. I let it go knowing I was replacing my wheels and tires in the near future. The above link describes what the Alignment tech found the day of my alignment. So , in my case the subframe being lowered affected my alignment.
Matt
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 516
Likes: 108
From: ATLANTA
i just did H,C,I, with new ATI and i tied the steering wheel with the seat belt lined straight, then marked in the steering box with a sharpie before unhooking the shaft to make sure it lined back up when all put back, every thing went back in good and looked straight and perfect, i only had 2000 miles since new tires and alignment before the install and i went ahead and had the dealer redo the alignment to be safe and sure enough it was off again but seems to be the nature of every vette i have had anyway, if your tires are newer than i would get it aligned to be safe
Last edited by DEANDOLLA; Nov 12, 2021 at 11:54 AM.
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