Tire issues

[John Harry]

NORTY:

Not to hijack this thread, but are the above alignment specs also what you would recommend for a daily driver?

[NORTY]

Originally Posted by John Harry

NORTY:

Not to hijack this thread, but are the above alignment specs also what you would recommend for a daily driver?

I would probably request the "50th percentile" using the factory spec range. That should be close.

I would also request to the tech, "Set it up for maximum tire life."

[John Harry]

I'll make a note of that for my next alignment. Thanks, Norty.

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,

Lets be clear, GM does not give you a 'wide range' .

They give you the specification, then they give you a 'tolerance'.

Most technicians will give you the specification when they do the alignment. It is when they use the 'tolerance' that all the problems occur.

That lousy SAI readings COULD BE A RESULT OF someone not setting up the machine correctly.

The theory that GM sets up lousy alignment specs couldnt be farther from the truth.

And a vehicle alignment is only as good as the technician BEHIND THE MACHINE.

Allthebest, c4c5

[NORTY]

Originally Posted by c4c5specialist

Hi there,

Lets be clear, GM does not give you a 'wide range' .

They give you the specification, then they give you a 'tolerance'.

Most technicians will give you the specification when they do the alignment. It is when they use the 'tolerance' that all the problems occur.

That lousy SAI readings COULD BE A RESULT OF someone not setting up the machine correctly.

The theory that GM sets up lousy alignment specs couldnt be farther from the truth.

And a vehicle alignment is only as good as the technician BEHIND THE MACHINE.

Allthebest, c4c5

While I agree with you about the tech being responsible for getting the alignment right, I have to disagree with about the tolerances GM uses for their "within spec" spec.
Back when a "tech" used a tape measure to align a vehicle, these ranges were useful, now, with the advent of more precise measuring devices, a tech can "pinpoint" a measurement to the inth degree.

Look at some of the ranges GM claims are within spec, 200 thousandths for toe (front or rear)? That's a fifth of an inch! The spec should be .005", not .200"!
CAM & CAS are equally imprecise too.

I wish I could convey the difference these "slight" changes can make. Let's just say that you would have a different car.

I still don't understand how the front-to-back measurement of the wheels can vary by an inch and a half...(left vs. rightside)

something just isn't right there...

[c4c5specialist]

There are plenty of factors, but if you notice in that printout, they 'toleranced' the alignment.

If you are a real technician, and give the customers what they pay for, you will get it to SPECIFICATION, as PER GM GUIDELINES>

In GM training you are taught, YOU NEVER 'tolerance' an alignment, you ALWAYS get it to specifications.

Allthebest, c4c5

[24storm]

So are you guys saying that the alignment is not done correct? Am i going to have issues down the road? I had this done at the largest Corvette dealer in my area. Thanks for your help.

[NORTY]

Originally Posted by 24storm

So are you guys saying that the alignment is not done correct? Am i going to have issues down the road? I had this done at the largest Corvette dealer in my area. Thanks for your help.

Your alignment was done "correct." as long as it's within GM spec. If you use your car as a daily and never plan on driving aggressively or doing trackdays, then it's fine and dandy.
Now, if you plan on driving with your utmost performance in mind, then you'll want corner weighting and an alignment more suited for "performance."

[24storm]

Originally Posted by NORTY

Your alignment was done "correct." as long as it's within GM spec. If you use your car as a daily and never plan on driving aggressively or doing trackdays, then it's fine and dandy.
Now, if you plan on driving with your utmost performance in mind, then you'll want corner weighting and an alignment more suited for "performance."

I plan on entering a salom event this weekend with my local Corvette club. Our club has 4 of these events per year and if i like it i would like to enter them all. This will be my first one.
They are just a small course in a empty parking lot.