Track alignment
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Track alignment
Going to track tomorrow was wondering if I just took of some of the washer on the upper control arm evenly, will that give me more negative camber without causing change in toe and caster? Would it be noticeable or worth doing on short notice. Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,673
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I am going to the track tomorrow as well (Fontana CA). I called few dealers and they didn't know what track alignment/ prep is. I told them I just need them to follow the manual which I will provide. One dealer told me that this will void the car warranty!!!
I did the oil change, dot 4 brake fluid and cooling rings. I gave up on track alignment for tomorrow since I cannot get it done today.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,051
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If you take washers out, that will change the camber. It will also change the toe at the same time, so you can't do that. You would need a proper alignment. If you drive aggressively with stock alignment, you will wear out the outside edges of the tires. I know, I trashed my Z51 front tires in one day, in particular the left front since dealer said he couldn't do alignment (old machine) and I had the track day booked the day after the alignment booking. Rear tires were OK. New front tires with shipping, mount and balance cost me more than the track day, so I wouldn't do that again.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
If you take washers out, that will change the camber. It will also change the toe at the same time, so you can't do that. You would need a proper alignment. If you drive aggressively with stock alignment, you will wear out the outside edges of the tires. I know, I trashed my Z51 front tires in one day, in particular the left front since dealer said he couldn't do alignment (old machine) and I had the track day booked the day after the alignment booking. Rear tires were OK. New front tires with shipping, mount and balance cost me more than the track day, so I wouldn't do that again.
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 210
Likes: 10
From: Ravensdale WA
Front L/R -2.0/-1.7
Rear L/R -1.7/-1.6
Left side was to spec, right was a bit off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 451
From: Syracuse-Central Square New York Winer of the all Corvette race WGI 8/23!
Go back for your street settings and do the same. With a little time and energy you can set your track alignment yourself and save major dollars. Beware suspension components are stressed on the track and move, bend, twist I've seen everything! I would go to the shop every 4 or 5 track days to have the machine gauge it to determine the settings are still accurate or not. Porsche Boxsters on the track would bend their steering knuckles so much we would replace them after a certain amount of time for fear of cracking!
I know this is not the perfect way to do it but not everyone has a 30k alignment machine in there garage or 100 bucks plus to spend on every track then back to street alignment.
