Wheel Alignment
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,789
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
It really doesn't matter what type of shop does the alignment. Alignments aren't all that hard to do. The first thing you need to ascertain is whether the shop has the special equipment required to measure rear caster. The alignment machine can't make the measurement. The second is finding out if the mechanic is willing to spend the time it takes to adjust the rear caster/camber.
Rear caster is only adjustable on 4 car models that are on the road now. The Pontiac Solstice, the s/Saturn Skye, the C7 Corvette, and the C8 Corvette. Most shops ignore the adjustment or have never heard of it. A large number of them think you mean front caster when you start talking to them about rear caster and swear their machine and mechanic can handle it. Even though they never heard you say rear.
Bill
Rear caster is only adjustable on 4 car models that are on the road now. The Pontiac Solstice, the s/Saturn Skye, the C7 Corvette, and the C8 Corvette. Most shops ignore the adjustment or have never heard of it. A large number of them think you mean front caster when you start talking to them about rear caster and swear their machine and mechanic can handle it. Even though they never heard you say rear.
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,789
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 593
From: Jefferson City Missouri
My Chevrolet dealership knows about C7 rear caste adjustment and has the tools to perform a proper adjustment. I had my 19 GS aligned a few months ago and the Tech made sure the rear caster was set properly and loved that I had installed adjustable rear toe links so he could set my rear caster to -.05 as I requested.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I had a bad experience with a major chain store . . . some of the alignment bolts came loose when braking hard at 125; almost had a very bad day. Took it to a guy who specializes in Corvette alignments and it was worth every penny ($150). He even marked all the nut/bolts with witness marks so I can inspect for any changes to the suspension.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
From: Ormond Beach FL
Hi Bill, I need advice on alignment for my 2006 Z51. The car has a bit over 100,000 miles. When driving on worn roads it pulls left or right on a straight road, so I'm steering all to time. I requested the Firestone store to set the camber to 0 and it seemed to make a small improvement. What suspension parts should I replace with this many miles? Or are there adjustments that need to be addressed?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,789
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Hi Bill, I need advice on alignment for my 2006 Z51. The car has a bit over 100,000 miles. When driving on worn roads it pulls left or right on a straight road, so I'm steering all to time. I requested the Firestone store to set the camber to 0 and it seemed to make a small improvement. What suspension parts should I replace with this many miles? Or are there adjustments that need to be addressed?
Some pulling may be the result of poorly tightened lca cams and some can be due to pushed-out control arm bushings. If the car saw lots of track or even autocross usage repeated over time heavy braking and acceleration forces can make the control arms move on the bushings.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Jan 25, 2022 at 04:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
Likes: 1,165
From: N. Alabama
I had a bad experience with a major chain store . . . some of the alignment bolts came loose when braking hard at 125; almost had a very bad day. Took it to a guy who specializes in Corvette alignments and it was worth every penny ($150). He even marked all the nut/bolts with witness marks so I can inspect for any changes to the suspension.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
From: Ormond Beach FL
My Firestone printed report makes no mention of caster adjustments. I live in central Florida. Do you have knowledge of a shop MidFlorida? If so send me a recommendation. Thanks again for the info.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
Likes: 1,165
From: N. Alabama
^^^^ True. Folks will probably have to get their own pieces to carry to someone willing to spend the time to do it right. Both pieces (two different sources) can be gotten for around $300 or so. Then find someone that is willing. Forget dealers. They just look at you like, "What do you mean rear caster?" Independent shop is best shot. Again, GM leaves their buyers hanging without ensuring we can maintain the vehicles correctly. Of course this is only one issue with GM.