Alignment required?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
I posted my alignment printout in another thread (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-dealer-2.html; post #50) but I am still seeking an answer. to this question:
Following the alignment, the car is driving great. Less jumpy. BUT the steering wheel is slightly to the right when I am going straight. Not due to road crown.
Can that be fixed without going through the whole alignment process again?
Following the alignment, the car is driving great. Less jumpy. BUT the steering wheel is slightly to the right when I am going straight. Not due to road crown.
Can that be fixed without going through the whole alignment process again?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 453
From: Saint Clair Shores Mi
I didn't even try the free alignment song and dance even though I was at <7500 miles at the time, as I figured any aspect of the alignment that's within GM's broad specs will be left as is and likely unacceptable. I wanted a more deliberate street alignment to prolong tire life in all aspects and to my specs, so I just paid them $125 and got it done.
I did the same with only 600 miles on the car. I paid for a street alignment for the savings on tire wear and the drive ability. Car doesn't trammel nearly as much and is easier to drive. When I get new tires I'll have them align it again.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
You center the wheel by loosening the lock nuts at the outer tie rod ends, then turning the inner tie rods the exact same amount on each side, and in the correct direction. It's pretty simple but if it's done wrong then the toe setting will be screwed up.
In your situation where the wheel is cocked to the right, then the left front tire is toed out and the right front tire is toed in when the wheel is straight. So whomever handles this, would adjust the left side in and the right side out the exact same amount, leaving toe unchanged, and the steering wheel where it belongs.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; Jul 30, 2019 at 07:28 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 1,116
From: Howell N.J
Hello,
Just had my GS aligned by a shop near my home , 820 mi. ( along with rear wheel set up ). Was told it was way out ( I don't have a copy of the print out but will get it next time I am out )
Rich
Just had my GS aligned by a shop near my home , 820 mi. ( along with rear wheel set up ). Was told it was way out ( I don't have a copy of the print out but will get it next time I am out )
Rich
Last edited by Vette Ski; Jul 30, 2019 at 07:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
FWIW, the inside groove of new GS/Z06 PSS and Cup2 tires is ~0.5/32 shallower than the center and outer grooves front and rear, so if you're checking wear fit that into your calculations. I'm not sure if it is the case on Z51-size tires.
Last edited by iclick; Jul 30, 2019 at 08:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
No.
You center the wheel by loosening the lock nuts at the outer tie rod ends, then turning the inner tie rods the exact same amount on each side, and in the correct direction. It's pretty simple but if it's done wrong then the toe setting will be screwed up.
In your situation where the wheel is cocked to the right, then the left front tire is toed out and the right front tire is toed in when the wheel is straight. So whomever handles this, would adjust the left side in and the right side out the exact same amount, leaving toe unchanged, and the steering wheel where it belongs.
You center the wheel by loosening the lock nuts at the outer tie rod ends, then turning the inner tie rods the exact same amount on each side, and in the correct direction. It's pretty simple but if it's done wrong then the toe setting will be screwed up.
In your situation where the wheel is cocked to the right, then the left front tire is toed out and the right front tire is toed in when the wheel is straight. So whomever handles this, would adjust the left side in and the right side out the exact same amount, leaving toe unchanged, and the steering wheel where it belongs.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
I asked the dealer today in an email, and he said the alignment would have to be redone to fix the steering wheel offset. Maybe they're concerned about what you said: doing it wrong would change the toe, so they should make sure the toe stays correct. It's their dime, anyway. But the alignment is so dialed in right now, and the steering wheel offset is sooo slight, that I'm not sure I want to go that route.
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