Alignment
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Alignment
I posted here a couple of weeks ago to get recommendations on alignment shops. I've checked with a few and am getting price quotes around $175-$200. Most of these are racing shops.
I just put new front tires on my '06 coupe. I got 35,000 miles out of the stock GS2's but I could have gotten more since they wore more heavily on the inside edges (standard for the factory alignment as I understand). My intention is to get a more neutral alignment so the fronts wear more evenly on this set of tires.
My question is, do I need a race shop (and race shop prices) to accomplish this or can a more run-of-the-mill shop do just as good a job? Will a regular alignment shop get very close to a particular spec (I've run across neutral Pfadt specs on the Forum) or will they just stop at being within wide tolerances like the factory spec?
Also, what should I expect to pay for the type of alignment I'm looking for?
Any other recommendations for good shops in the Bremerton/Port Orchard/Poulsbo/Olympia/Tacoma/Seattle/Eastside areas would be appreciated.
I just put new front tires on my '06 coupe. I got 35,000 miles out of the stock GS2's but I could have gotten more since they wore more heavily on the inside edges (standard for the factory alignment as I understand). My intention is to get a more neutral alignment so the fronts wear more evenly on this set of tires.
My question is, do I need a race shop (and race shop prices) to accomplish this or can a more run-of-the-mill shop do just as good a job? Will a regular alignment shop get very close to a particular spec (I've run across neutral Pfadt specs on the Forum) or will they just stop at being within wide tolerances like the factory spec?
Also, what should I expect to pay for the type of alignment I'm looking for?
Any other recommendations for good shops in the Bremerton/Port Orchard/Poulsbo/Olympia/Tacoma/Seattle/Eastside areas would be appreciated.
Last edited by C-INRED; Jun 10, 2010 at 03:54 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton OR
I posted here a couple of weeks ago to get recommendations on alignment shops. I've checked with a few and am getting price quotes around $175-$200. Most of these are racing shops.
I just put new front tires on my '06 coupe. I got 35,000 miles out of the stock GS2's but I could have gotten more since they wore more heavily on the inside edges (standard for the factory alignment as I understand). My intention is to get a more neutral alignment so the fronts wear more evenly on this set of tires.
My question is, do I need a race shop (and race shop prices) to accomplish this or can a more run-of-the-mill shop do just as good a job? Will a regular alignment shop get very close to a particular spec (I've run across neutral Pfadt specs on the Forum) or will they just stop at being within wide tolerances like the factory spec?
Also, what should I expect to pay for the type of alignment I'm looking for?
Any other recommendations for good shops in the Bremerton/Port Orchard/Poulsbo/Olympia/Tacoma/Seattle/Eastside areas would be appreciated.
I just put new front tires on my '06 coupe. I got 35,000 miles out of the stock GS2's but I could have gotten more since they wore more heavily on the inside edges (standard for the factory alignment as I understand). My intention is to get a more neutral alignment so the fronts wear more evenly on this set of tires.
My question is, do I need a race shop (and race shop prices) to accomplish this or can a more run-of-the-mill shop do just as good a job? Will a regular alignment shop get very close to a particular spec (I've run across neutral Pfadt specs on the Forum) or will they just stop at being within wide tolerances like the factory spec?
Also, what should I expect to pay for the type of alignment I'm looking for?
Any other recommendations for good shops in the Bremerton/Port Orchard/Poulsbo/Olympia/Tacoma/Seattle/Eastside areas would be appreciated.
If you were in the Portland area, I would recommend A N T Tires. They have done all of my alignments. I don't know anyone in your area to recommend.
FWIW, I get really even wear on my track tires since having a proper alignment.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
FYI...these are the Pfadt specs I've picked up off the Forum for pure street.
Front
Camber -0.8deg
Caster 8.0deg
Toe 0.0in
Rear
Camber -0.5deg
Toe 0.0in
Is there some particular skill in aligning the car to these specs or is it just a matter of the shop being willing to take the time to get to the spec rather than just within some rather large tolerances one way or the other?
Front
Camber -0.8deg
Caster 8.0deg
Toe 0.0in
Rear
Camber -0.5deg
Toe 0.0in
Is there some particular skill in aligning the car to these specs or is it just a matter of the shop being willing to take the time to get to the spec rather than just within some rather large tolerances one way or the other?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
You don't "necessarily" need a race shop but......you should try to find someone who knows how to do Vettes and has the latest equipment. At least a shop that knows how to do 4-wheel independent suspension cars.
I have to disagree with the alignment specs you posted. Way too much neg camber for good tire wear. FWIW, the general recommendation has been get the camber down to -.2 or even -.1. In other words, for best tire life, get the tire rolling as flat as possible but keep some neg camber for handling.
Some reference threads for your enjoyment:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
I have to disagree with the alignment specs you posted. Way too much neg camber for good tire wear. FWIW, the general recommendation has been get the camber down to -.2 or even -.1. In other words, for best tire life, get the tire rolling as flat as possible but keep some neg camber for handling.
Some reference threads for your enjoyment:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 31
From: scio or
You don't "necessarily" need a race shop but......you should try to find someone who knows how to do Vettes and has the latest equipment. At least a shop that knows how to do 4-wheel independent suspension cars.
I have to disagree with the alignment specs you posted. Way too much neg camber for good tire wear. FWIW, the general recommendation has been get the camber down to -.2 or even -.1. In other words, for best tire life, get the tire rolling as flat as possible but keep some neg camber for handling.
Some reference threads for your enjoyment:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
I have to disagree with the alignment specs you posted. Way too much neg camber for good tire wear. FWIW, the general recommendation has been get the camber down to -.2 or even -.1. In other words, for best tire life, get the tire rolling as flat as possible but keep some neg camber for handling.
Some reference threads for your enjoyment:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...alignment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...tire-wear.html
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
I don't know about Rick T. but I pretty much drive my car like any other street car 99% of the time. I'm not pushing it hard around corners.
Maybe this is the reason for the very broad tolerances on the factory specs....because driving styles can be so different which dictates widely different settings. But if that were the case why wouldn't there be different settings for different drivers (somewhat like Pfadt) rather than just huge tolerances?
At any rate, I'm still up in the air as to the "right" settings to use for what I'll call sedate street driving and even tire wear.
Last edited by C-INRED; Jun 11, 2010 at 12:17 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
I run -1 up front and -.6 in the rear. Zero toe up front, -.02 in the rear. As much Caster as they can get. It is the combination of camber and toe that causes excess wear. Wear is very good on both sets of tires. About 20k on the and 5k on the Kuhmo's.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 31
From: scio or
As I understand the factory spec is -0.45 plus or minus 0.5 (which seems like a really broad range) but you're over that on the minus side. Seems like a lot especially given that many of us have had excessive wear on the inner edges.
I don't know about Rick T. but I pretty much drive my car like any other street car 99% of the time. I'm not pushing it hard around corners.
Maybe this is the reason for the very broad tolerances on the factory specs....because driving styles can be so different which dictates widely different settings. But if that were the case why wouldn't there be different settings for different drivers (somewhat like Pfadt) rather than just huge tolerances?
At any rate, I'm still up in the air as to the "right" settings to use for what I'll call sedate street driving and even tire wear.
I don't know about Rick T. but I pretty much drive my car like any other street car 99% of the time. I'm not pushing it hard around corners.
Maybe this is the reason for the very broad tolerances on the factory specs....because driving styles can be so different which dictates widely different settings. But if that were the case why wouldn't there be different settings for different drivers (somewhat like Pfadt) rather than just huge tolerances?
At any rate, I'm still up in the air as to the "right" settings to use for what I'll call sedate street driving and even tire wear.
Any bit of toe out on the street will wear the inside shoulder of the tire, but if you look at the tire 1-2" in, its worn the same as the outer edge. THAT is a toe problem (which can be exacerbated by "excess" caster).
Even with 0 toe on these cars will get you there, you need a slight bit of toe in. Thats because with the compliance in the suspension, it tends to goto toe out dynamically, which then gives the wear.
Try 1/8" toe in on the in front, and whatever camber you want to run with as long as its at least -.5deg. Set the caster in the mid point of the adjustment range that you can, too little will make the car nervous, and too much will help whack that inside edge. In the rear go for the same -.5deg and 1/8" toe in, more toe will plant the rear better, at the cost of tire wear, so keep the rear toe as minimal as possible while still allowing for compliance, and keeping the back end from wanting to swap ends.
People spend too much time worrying about having the perfect camber setup, but often ignore the other adjustments, and then, only look at them statically, you need to setup the car while keeping in mind what the suspension is doing with the wheel while you're moving.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 31
From: scio or
Oh, and for the record, I can wear the inside shoulders on my tires running 0 toe, and I've got poly bushings and new wheel bearings in the car, you guys with rubber are going to need even more toe to keep from having these problems.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Thanks everyone for the input. I now have an appointment at an alignment shop. From my research here and elsewhere I have a good idea of what specs I should end up with. According to the guy I spoke with on the phone they'll ask questions about how I use the car and develop their recommendations. I think I'm now armed with good information which will allow me to determine if their recommendations are reasonable and to work intelligently with them.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.