Back in December, we learned from Fasttoys1, that after he had had a four wheel alignment done on his new Z06, that his car handled "much, much better."
Many of you have followed the recent reporting that the GT-R NISMO originally beat the Z06 handily on the Willow Springs track; the results were reversed the second time -- after a Z06 major rear caster change (to factory specs) had been done on the Z06 (from 2 degrees positive to factory-spec 0 degrees). While, for the second track effort, GM also made other changes in the MSRC algorithms (something later retro available through GM Performance), professional race car driver Randy Probst who drove for both track experiences, said that he felt most of the Z06's lap improvement change was due to the change to the factory alignment specs for the rear caster.
A month before our 4000 mile trip, had a four wheel alignment done, and to say the both rear caster and camber were before out of whack (not near factory specs) would be an understatement, though toe in needed little adjustment. Perhaps a very small amount of my camber needing adjustment was my lowering -- but that again was only a smart part of my alignment issues.
On our extended trip, to say that the steering on our car is magnificent was another understatement. Being able to drive with one hand on the wheel when isolated from other traffic, not having to make constant steering adjustments, was a pleasure. Can not comment on whether it improved handling...
Of course, suspension alignment has a huge consequence on tire wear and small amount on fuel mileage. However, given the price of our Corvette's tires, keeping proper tire pressure and having really good alignment will reduce tire change frequency ($$$ remaining in our pockets).
In writing this thread, consulted with a forum member who is much smarter than me in these areas, and thanks to "mjw930," here is what he shared. Highly recommend you take the time to also read the below link he has provided!
So you are tracking your C7, using it as a daily driver, or in between, perhaps you might wish to consider an early four wheel alignment as a prudent investment for your handling, tire wear, steering and to a lesser degree, even to your fuel economy!
While your dealership will provide a free four wheel alignment at 1,000 miles IF you have tracking or tire wear issues, if you wait that long, good chance your uneven tire wear will be with your tires for the rest of their life.
Usually get my four wheel alignment done around 300/500 miles-- first giving my suspension a chance to settle, and get alignments not just on my Corvettes but also my other new cars (and also have it done on all our cars when they get a set of new tires IF the previous set showed the slightest bit of uneven wear).
IMO, $79.95 well spent...
Many of you have followed the recent reporting that the GT-R NISMO originally beat the Z06 handily on the Willow Springs track; the results were reversed the second time -- after a Z06 major rear caster change (to factory specs) had been done on the Z06 (from 2 degrees positive to factory-spec 0 degrees). While, for the second track effort, GM also made other changes in the MSRC algorithms (something later retro available through GM Performance), professional race car driver Randy Probst who drove for both track experiences, said that he felt most of the Z06's lap improvement change was due to the change to the factory alignment specs for the rear caster.
A month before our 4000 mile trip, had a four wheel alignment done, and to say the both rear caster and camber were before out of whack (not near factory specs) would be an understatement, though toe in needed little adjustment. Perhaps a very small amount of my camber needing adjustment was my lowering -- but that again was only a smart part of my alignment issues.
On our extended trip, to say that the steering on our car is magnificent was another understatement. Being able to drive with one hand on the wheel when isolated from other traffic, not having to make constant steering adjustments, was a pleasure. Can not comment on whether it improved handling...
Of course, suspension alignment has a huge consequence on tire wear and small amount on fuel mileage. However, given the price of our Corvette's tires, keeping proper tire pressure and having really good alignment will reduce tire change frequency ($$$ remaining in our pockets).
In writing this thread, consulted with a forum member who is much smarter than me in these areas, and thanks to "mjw930," here is what he shared. Highly recommend you take the time to also read the below link he has provided!
Thank you Mark, from us all!mjw930 said:
So you are tracking your C7, using it as a daily driver, or in between, perhaps you might wish to consider an early four wheel alignment as a prudent investment for your handling, tire wear, steering and to a lesser degree, even to your fuel economy!
While your dealership will provide a free four wheel alignment at 1,000 miles IF you have tracking or tire wear issues, if you wait that long, good chance your uneven tire wear will be with your tires for the rest of their life.
Usually get my four wheel alignment done around 300/500 miles-- first giving my suspension a chance to settle, and get alignments not just on my Corvettes but also my other new cars (and also have it done on all our cars when they get a set of new tires IF the previous set showed the slightest bit of uneven wear).
IMO, $79.95 well spent...
