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Is it really necessary to get an alignment after lowering my z51 Stingray with front lift the 3/4” with front lowering collars and rear coil over turn down? What price should I expect to pay as I’m hearing some say the C8 takes two hours to align?
Interesting in that thread that is only appears that you saw change in toe on left side of the car after lowering and right side everything stayed for the most part spot on. You sure this isnt just variation from going on and off alignment rack and some minimal driving? I have seen at my chevy dealer when the steering wheel was a little off center for my liking following an alignemnt, they got fairly different specs just pulling the car back onto the same alignment rack 20 minutes later.
That said, I have done exactly as you and re aligned after lowering, although I lowered about twice as much before coming back up slightly.
I have lowered both my Z51 C8's and then put them on the alignment rack at work to check if they needed it and both were still within factory spec. There was no need for adjustment on either one.
I have lowered both my Z51 C8's and then put them on the alignment rack at work to check if they needed it and both were still within factory spec. There was no need for adjustment on either one.
Lowered mine ~3/4" on factory springs (Z51 car) and alignment adjustment was not needed
Lowered mine exactly as you describes - Paragon lowering collars on the front and adjusting the coilovers in the rear to drop it 3/4" all around. I had the alignment checked/adjusted by the dealer and it was definitely out. I didn't check it before the car was lowered so I can't say for sure that lowering it was why it needed alignment, but the car was only 2 months old with less than 300 miles at the time. Either lowering it put the alignment out of whack or it came from the factory that way.
Did the dealer say anything about use of the lowering collars and your warranty for the front lift system? How much did they charge if you don’t mind me asking. How long ago was this and have you had any front lift issues?
While I can't help with the front lift questions, as I did not order with, I have read my fair share of horror stories. The fact GM sent all dealers a bulletin around the use of them, tells me, if the suspension is damaged, you're on your own for a very expensive fix. Now if you do all the work with your dealer that MIGHT be a different story, but I would want it in writing. My guess is $1100+ in labor and alignment.
As for alignment, I thought about my statement. While my tires seem fine and the car doesn't pull, doesn't mean squat. My alignment could very likely be crap. When I decide to replace tires, I will do an alignment either way. At this point I am 10K in so I will save my money.
@bmjones211@gmail.com Actually, it was the dealer who installed the lowering collars. This was in early 2022 before all the hoopla from GM about the collars. And yes, shortly after the installation I had a service front lift message. The dealer fixed it under warranty (replaced a front strut) but I am convinced - after a lot of reading - that most failures associated with the Paragon collars are caused by installation problems. No, I don't remember what they charged.
Bottom line - you take a chance of having a front lift problem and having to repair it on your dime. Would I do it again? In a New York second. This is the stance the C8 was meant to have.
Having lowered you car and what you now know, would you lower your car if you didn't have front lift? Have you needed front lift to avoid scraping the front spoiler?
I absolutely have needed the front lift many times. Lowering the car combined with the 5VM front splitter made it so I can't even enter my own drive without scraping if I don't use the front lift. On the flip side, this was completely expected - which is why I ordered the front lift in the first place.
If I didn't have the front lift I would have ordered the Scrape Armor skid plate or installed a cheap sacrificial splitter but still would have lowered the car. Lowering, along with Paragon 20mm wheel spacers, give it the stance it always should have had.
In our experience the C8 suspension has little to no bump steer, so you could probably change height with little to no impact on alignment besides camber.
I'd probably get it aligned anyway, but you could get away with it, if you'd like to try things at the track, for instance.
Well boys i am putting this in caps so you read it. My son works at an americas tire here in norcal. I pull up and there is a s63 and a cobra in the other 2 bays. This shop does great work. I had recently ordered some summer only tires on the forum slightly used for a second set of wheels i have. They came in and were all at about 7/32. For the hell of it i walked into the garage to check what my tires after 10k miles were at. No crazy burnouts, no track time at all, i do however tend to push the car and will break them lose but not bad just slips if that makes sense. Well guess what. My alignment is trash trash trash. All four are at about 6/7-32 on the outer edge but inside i am as little as 4/32 on one rear and 5/32 in the front. So op to answer your question. Yes get an alignment and dont be teddy.
Lowered mine on stock coilovers and had the alignment done...glad I did because it was off a little. It could have been an alignment issue from the factory, who knows... It took 2 hours and I had to go back because the steering wheel was off centered. Cost was 200.00. btw, i got the street alignment and not the track.
Headed to my dealer in a few hours for my alignment. They are hitting me for $250 But I trust them and they do amazing work on all high performance GM cars. I'll see if I can get a before and after for you all. I know I will get an after but not sure they measure first.
When a car is Lowered you will Get Negative Camber and will need a Wheel Alignment ! A C8 like C7 Corvettes have a Rear Caster Adjustment and have to be Adjusted Together. Alignment Machines Do Not Measure or Display Rear Caster. You will need to find a shop that has a Rear Caster Tool.
Alignment after Lowering?
But I trust them and they do amazing work on all high performance GM cars. I'll see if I can get a before and after for you all. I know I will get an after but not sure they measure first.
