Alignment after lowering?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,906
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From: Tampa Florida
Alignment after lowering?
For those who have lowered their cars with the leaf spring tension bolts, did you need to get your steering aligned? I remember hearing that it might need to be done afterwards.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
No you do not for daily driving for this mild a lowering. Two good shops in s fla did not align theirs and neither did I.....
BuT stay tuned, many will argue here.....I'm out....
BuT stay tuned, many will argue here.....I'm out....
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As for the alignment...I'm going to go with what Glen said.
Racer
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From: CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
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Not having a C7, I don't know for sure, but having done it on a C5 and C6 and then having measured it, they both needed toe in added at the rear, the front had a negligible change. But if you want a really exciting ride, drive your C7 with the rear toed out.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Brentwood CA
From prior experience with lowering and quality of factory alignment, I would check the alignment after lowering. It is $100 of assurance that improper alignment will not cause premature tire wear and insure drivability.
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
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Actually, just before you sign the contract, pause, look up and say, "3 out of 4 cars I have bought from GM needed an alignment out of the showroom, and I'm tired of this and I want an alignment done with a printout provided to me of before and after, before I take delivery of this car."
My first Vette was so bad I couldn't look away from the road for a second without almost ending up in a ditch.
My first Vette was so bad I couldn't look away from the road for a second without almost ending up in a ditch.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,083
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From: IL / FL .
Some people say you need an alignment after lowering, some say you don't. The answer is Maybe.
If you turn the height adjusters while the car is on an alignment rack you can watch the camber and toe change with each turn. BUT if you were well within the spec range to begin with you still might not be out.
The alignment at Bowling Green isn't terribly precise to begin with. The cars are so high coming of the line, the BG alignment has to compensate for a bit of settling that will occur.
It's not a bad idea to get a few thousand miles on the car, get the ride height just where you want it, and then get it aligned right on spec, not just within the + or - range. The expense of a good alignment might pay off in a bit more miles out of the Michlins
If you turn the height adjusters while the car is on an alignment rack you can watch the camber and toe change with each turn. BUT if you were well within the spec range to begin with you still might not be out.
The alignment at Bowling Green isn't terribly precise to begin with. The cars are so high coming of the line, the BG alignment has to compensate for a bit of settling that will occur.
It's not a bad idea to get a few thousand miles on the car, get the ride height just where you want it, and then get it aligned right on spec, not just within the + or - range. The expense of a good alignment might pay off in a bit more miles out of the Michlins
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 131
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It might be possible that the geometry on the 7 has changed to where I am wrong on this, but the 5 and 6 were this way, so until it's been established otherwise, get an alignment and let us know.