Tread wear vs. alignment
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 194
From: So Cal
The usefulness of this forum is well represented in this thread, where almost all replies were offered with a clear intent to provide constructive info.
I've made notes and will digest them before meeting with the dealer, hopefully next week. I should've mentioned that I do keep tire pressure at spec (30 psi cold), so that isn't an issue. Regarding the change to AS tires, these aren't available in GS sizes yet, but by the time I need tires there likely will be some on the market. If available I'll consider going with them even though it doesn't get that cold down here in S. LA, and it almost never snows.
When it does the Corvette for sure stays in the garage.
The rear is wearing well and I hope no adjustments will be needed there, especially caster. I sense no adverse behavior at all from the car--e.g. darting from uneven caster settings or pulling to one side--so I'm hoping it will be just a minor toe or camber adjustment on the front.
I'll report back when finished, and thanks again.
I've made notes and will digest them before meeting with the dealer, hopefully next week. I should've mentioned that I do keep tire pressure at spec (30 psi cold), so that isn't an issue. Regarding the change to AS tires, these aren't available in GS sizes yet, but by the time I need tires there likely will be some on the market. If available I'll consider going with them even though it doesn't get that cold down here in S. LA, and it almost never snows.
When it does the Corvette for sure stays in the garage.
The rear is wearing well and I hope no adjustments will be needed there, especially caster. I sense no adverse behavior at all from the car--e.g. darting from uneven caster settings or pulling to one side--so I'm hoping it will be just a minor toe or camber adjustment on the front.
I'll report back when finished, and thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 521
From: Eastern WA
At my 540 mile oil change I asked for an alignment to be done, and I would pay for it - didn't know it was free. They said we don't think you need an alignment because it is a new car. Ha ha ha.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,980
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
Was your car actually pulling to the right? If so, how could you tell it was the right rear axle setting?
That's encouraging to hear that the dealership checked it at 400 miles. I suppose I ought to do a tread depth reading on all four tires, since the car's A/S Michelins I have now had on the car for 1,000 miles of wear. The car has 1,500 total miles on it now.
That's encouraging to hear that the dealership checked it at 400 miles. I suppose I ought to do a tread depth reading on all four tires, since the car's A/S Michelins I have now had on the car for 1,000 miles of wear. The car has 1,500 total miles on it now.
The tech could have checked and fixed the one toe that was In the red. Instead he spent 30/45 minutes adjusting all 4 cambers and each toe. It is also iterative, adjust a camber and toe changes etc. I have a year on the car and tire wear is uniform.
Apparently some dealers will do it without a question. It's a good idea to wait 400 to 500 miles on a new car to have all suspension parts wear in.
Last edited by JerryU; Jun 21, 2018 at 07:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The owner's manual states that "Axles must have 885km (500 mi) before being used in track driving." The warranty manual is vague but my take is that alignment is covered up to 7500 miles (p. 7 with a footnote on p. 11) if not in spec. I would suspect that mine is in spec since tire wear isn't glaring, but just needs some street-friendly tweaking, which I'll probably have to pay for.
Tell them something like "It wanders at high speeds. Here's my desired alignment numbers (which are within the GM tolerances). Set my numbers. If the original numbers were within the GM standards, I'll pay for the alignment. If the original numbers were outside the official specs, that should be warrantied."
So far, 4 Corvettes at 2 different dealers, never paid a dime.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
You could do what I do-
Tell them something like "It wanders at high speeds. Here's my desired alignment numbers (which are within the GM tolerances). Set my numbers. If the original numbers were within the GM standards, I'll pay for the alignment. If the original numbers were outside the official specs, that should be warrantied." So far, 4 Corvettes at 2 different dealers, never paid a dime.
Tell them something like "It wanders at high speeds. Here's my desired alignment numbers (which are within the GM tolerances). Set my numbers. If the original numbers were within the GM standards, I'll pay for the alignment. If the original numbers were outside the official specs, that should be warrantied." So far, 4 Corvettes at 2 different dealers, never paid a dime.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,980
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
^^^
The issue is not being within spec. It’s the very broad range allowed! For camber it’s +0.6 to -0.6 degrees from centerline. That is for all models as I recall .
In my case the Grand Sport rears were set at -1.6 degrees from the factory and the Max allowed is -1.7 degrees. The Min allowed to say “within spec” is -0.5 degrees. Think about what you would like, i.e. closer to less negative camber for better tire wear OR most negative camber if you Track etc. In my case I picked -0.8 degrees where the Tech set it. For me the compromise I wanted between tire wear and cornering. I don’t Track.
If you don’t hand them a sheet of paper stating what you want, as one poster said they put it on the machine and only one item was in RED out of spec and that is all they changed saying all good! In my case the only showing in Red was one toe. Had I not given them a sheet saying exactly what I wanted the Tech could have fixed it and said “all is good, within spec.”
If you go to a Vette alignment specialist, sure you can ask for a setting giving you better tire wear. But at a dealer it’s problematic if they will guess at what you want or if their idea is what you want. . Do your homework, pick the centerline or either side and hand them a sheet of paper. Mine showed the Grand Sport spec (which when they plug the VIN number in the alignment machine they actually have) and my request.
Don’t offer to pay at first they get paid by GM indicating customer said to cover the reson they did it on Warranty.
Frankly I’d avoid using the tire wear excess as the reason, as they can say it looks normal! If you say it “feels” like it’s pulling to the right or the “highway stability” doen’t seem right, no BS about “it’s normal.” How can your “feeling” be written off as normal. If you don’t want to fib, drive on a small cambered rural road and let go of whe wheel! The road is cambered to have rain run to the edge-car will pull slightly right!
The issue is not being within spec. It’s the very broad range allowed! For camber it’s +0.6 to -0.6 degrees from centerline. That is for all models as I recall .
In my case the Grand Sport rears were set at -1.6 degrees from the factory and the Max allowed is -1.7 degrees. The Min allowed to say “within spec” is -0.5 degrees. Think about what you would like, i.e. closer to less negative camber for better tire wear OR most negative camber if you Track etc. In my case I picked -0.8 degrees where the Tech set it. For me the compromise I wanted between tire wear and cornering. I don’t Track.
If you don’t hand them a sheet of paper stating what you want, as one poster said they put it on the machine and only one item was in RED out of spec and that is all they changed saying all good! In my case the only showing in Red was one toe. Had I not given them a sheet saying exactly what I wanted the Tech could have fixed it and said “all is good, within spec.”
If you go to a Vette alignment specialist, sure you can ask for a setting giving you better tire wear. But at a dealer it’s problematic if they will guess at what you want or if their idea is what you want. . Do your homework, pick the centerline or either side and hand them a sheet of paper. Mine showed the Grand Sport spec (which when they plug the VIN number in the alignment machine they actually have) and my request.
Don’t offer to pay at first they get paid by GM indicating customer said to cover the reson they did it on Warranty.
Frankly I’d avoid using the tire wear excess as the reason, as they can say it looks normal! If you say it “feels” like it’s pulling to the right or the “highway stability” doen’t seem right, no BS about “it’s normal.” How can your “feeling” be written off as normal. If you don’t want to fib, drive on a small cambered rural road and let go of whe wheel! The road is cambered to have rain run to the edge-car will pull slightly right!
Last edited by JerryU; Jun 22, 2018 at 01:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
^^^
The issue is not being within spec. It’s the very broad range allowed! For camber it’s +0.6 to -0.6 degrees. That is for all models as I recall .
In my case the Grand Sport was set at -1.6 degrees from the factory and the Max allowed is -1.7 degrees. The Min allowed to say “within spec” is -0.5 degrees. Think about what you would like, i.e. closer to less negative camber for better tire wear OR most negative camber if you Track etc. In my case I picked -0.8 degrees where the Tech set it. For me the compromise I wanted between tire wear and cornering.
If you don’t hand them a sheet of paper stating what you want, as one poster said they put it on the machine and only one item was in RED out of spec and that is all they charged saying all good! Don’t offer to pay at first they get paid by GM.
Frankly I’d avoid using the tire wear excess, as they can say it looks normal! If you say if “feels” like it’s pulling to the right or the “highway stability” doen’t seem right, no BS about “it’s normal.” How can your “feeling” be written ofas normal. If you don’t want to fib, drive on a small cambered rural road and let go of whe wheel! The road is cambered to have rain run to the edge-car will pull slightly right!
The issue is not being within spec. It’s the very broad range allowed! For camber it’s +0.6 to -0.6 degrees. That is for all models as I recall .
In my case the Grand Sport was set at -1.6 degrees from the factory and the Max allowed is -1.7 degrees. The Min allowed to say “within spec” is -0.5 degrees. Think about what you would like, i.e. closer to less negative camber for better tire wear OR most negative camber if you Track etc. In my case I picked -0.8 degrees where the Tech set it. For me the compromise I wanted between tire wear and cornering.
If you don’t hand them a sheet of paper stating what you want, as one poster said they put it on the machine and only one item was in RED out of spec and that is all they charged saying all good! Don’t offer to pay at first they get paid by GM.
Frankly I’d avoid using the tire wear excess, as they can say it looks normal! If you say if “feels” like it’s pulling to the right or the “highway stability” doen’t seem right, no BS about “it’s normal.” How can your “feeling” be written ofas normal. If you don’t want to fib, drive on a small cambered rural road and let go of whe wheel! The road is cambered to have rain run to the edge-car will pull slightly right!
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; Jun 22, 2018 at 01:08 PM.
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