Alignment required?

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Jul 29, 2019 | 09:51 PM

#21

PatternDayTrader

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2008

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From: Lansing MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAIA

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?

So the short answer about centering the steering wheel is yes.

Jul 30, 2019 | 12:10 PM

#22

IAIA

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Joined: Dec 2006

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From: Orange County California

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatternDayTrader

So the short answer about centering the steering wheel is yes.

Um. Happy to hear the medium-long answer. So the alignment need not be redone. Do they just loosen the connection between the steering column and steering gear?

Jul 30, 2019 | 12:52 PM

#23

kenownr

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From: Saint Clair Shores Mi

Quote:

Originally Posted by iclick

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.

Jul 30, 2019 | 07:24 PM

#24

PatternDayTrader

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From: Lansing MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAIA

Um. Happy to hear the medium-long answer. So the alignment need not be redone. Do they just loosen the connection between the steering column and steering gear?

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.

Last edited by PatternDayTrader; Jul 30, 2019 at 07:28 PM.

Jul 30, 2019 | 07:49 PM

#25

Vette Ski

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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

Last edited by Vette Ski; Jul 30, 2019 at 07:57 PM.

Jul 30, 2019 | 08:14 PM

#26

iclick

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From: Baton Rouge LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenownr

I should've done mine sooner like you did, but routinely checked tire wear every few months as a gauge for whether or not I needed an alignment. After not quite two years I was measuring more wear on the inside of both front tires, so that's when I made the move. It showed negative camber out of spec on the front, as well as toe on one wheel, but oddly even more negative camber on the rear which didn't show any odd wear. I pulled camber in about 1/2 what it was and toe closer to zero. Haven't noticed further wear, but it's only been about 1k miles.

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.

Jul 31, 2019 | 02:43 AM

#27

IAIA

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From: Orange County California

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatternDayTrader

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.