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Wheel centering question

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Old Jul 23, 2024 | 08:08 PM
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Default Wheel centering question

I’ve read most of the legacy posts on the subject, but wanted to ask again to get more opinions. Assuming nothing is bent in the suspension, and the body is square, is there anyway to move the wheel back about 1/2”-3/4” via an alignment, A arm shimming, or anything else? I’ve been told the car was properly aligned about 9 months ago at local dealer who I trust. These are stock OEM tires, nothing is rubbing, but like the wheel centered a bit more. No issue on other side. Thx

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Old Jul 23, 2024 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by RizVet
I’ve read most of the legacy posts on the subject, but wanted to ask again to get more opinions. Assuming nothing is bent in the suspension, and the body is square, is there anyway to move the wheel back about 1/2”-3/4” via an alignment, A arm shimming, or anything else? I’ve been told the car was properly aligned about 9 months ago at local dealer who I trust. These are stock OEM tires, nothing is rubbing, but like the wheel centered a bit more. No issue on other side. Thx
Sounds like the alignment is not right. Poor alignment happens all the time, so very probable. Is this on front or back?
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Old Jul 23, 2024 | 11:01 PM
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Toe adjustment will center the steering wheel. Proper alignment will fix that.
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Old Jul 23, 2024 | 11:15 PM
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Without drastically changing the caster, no. And you don't want that.
It's possible your sub-frame is mis-aligned or bent from an accident. If that's the case, you will need to take frame measurements to verify.
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Old Jul 24, 2024 | 04:13 AM
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Get car on lift, and start checking the front cradle to make sure its square with frame, and parts outwards not bent as well. There are pins to lock into place, but enough clearance that is can be shifted and re-bolted to frame if needed. If this is done, then will need another alignment.

As for body, kind of the Norm for side to side panels to not be perfect to each other side to side, but should not be that much of a differences.
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Old Jul 24, 2024 | 07:34 AM
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To answer a few things from posters. This is a front passenger wheel issue, not a steering wheel centering issue. I will get someone credible to see if cradle can be squared a fraction better, and I do understand body panel side to side fitment is probably never symmetrical. Appreciate the feedback! Thx
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Old Jul 24, 2024 | 12:26 PM
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Old Jul 24, 2024 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 1Hotrodz
Without drastically changing the caster, no. And you don't want that.
It's possible your sub-frame is mis-aligned or bent from an accident. If that's the case, you will need to take frame measurements to verify.
Is sub frame also known as the "cradle"? Same thing?
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Old Jul 24, 2024 | 06:57 PM
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yes you absolutely can "swing" the tire rearward, and I've had to do a few recently. It usually cause by having multiple alignment done without looking at the "big picture".

Both upper and lower control arms have caster adjustment, and if you happen to adjust the lower to get more camber (maybe you swing the lower a bit forward), then another shop takes some camber out (by swing the top out/forward) you can easily end up back where you started camber-wise, but have the wheel move foward and scrubbing the fender liner.

I had a race car recently, one side was hitting the rear of the liner, the other side was hitting the front of the liner. I got them all centered up and not scrubbing
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Old Jul 24, 2024 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by davidfarmer
yes you absolutely can "swing" the tire rearward, and I've had to do a few recently. It usually cause by having multiple alignment done without looking at the "big picture".

Both upper and lower control arms have caster adjustment, and if you happen to adjust the lower to get more camber (maybe you swing the lower a bit forward), then another shop takes some camber out (by swing the top out/forward) you can easily end up back where you started camber-wise, but have the wheel move foward and scrubbing the fender liner.

I had a race car recently, one side was hitting the rear of the liner, the other side was hitting the front of the liner. I got them all centered up and not scrubbing
I’ll share your feedback with my next alignment shop. Thx!
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Old Jul 24, 2024 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by davidfarmer
yes you absolutely can "swing" the tire rearward, and I've had to do a few recently. It usually cause by having multiple alignment done without looking at the "big picture".

Both upper and lower control arms have caster adjustment, and if you happen to adjust the lower to get more camber (maybe you swing the lower a bit forward), then another shop takes some camber out (by swing the top out/forward) you can easily end up back where you started camber-wise, but have the wheel move foward and scrubbing the fender liner.

I had a race car recently, one side was hitting the rear of the liner, the other side was hitting the front of the liner. I got them all centered up and not scrubbing
On a C6, the upper control arms do not have adjustment. Someone could use some aftermarket shims and make a small amount of caster change but that would not be normal. More likely is they did not set caster correctly using the built in cams on the lower control arms.
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Old Aug 17, 2024 | 06:36 PM
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David, or anyone else - what is the exact spec of center of wheel center cap rear, to center cap center on from wheel (length)? Also, what is the approximate correct space between the tire and front of wheel well parallel to center gap as a point of reference?
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Old Aug 18, 2024 | 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by RizVet
David, or anyone else - what is the exact spec of center of wheel center cap rear, to center cap center on from wheel (length)?
The official spec is the car's wheelbase: 2686mm (105.75").
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