Wheel Alignment Questions - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

OldSchool · 09-11-2010, 10:08 PM

Hi:

I've got two questions regarding wheel alignment that I couldn't find in any other threads using search:

1. I had a '71 RS 350 back in the early 70's, and it was a great car except that every spring I had to have the front end aligned. I've had 12 cars since then, all smaller, lighter, and with front wheel drive, and I never had to take any of them in for an alignment. So, my question is should I expect to have alignment needs with my new Camaro? (and if so, why the difference - is it the fact that it's a heavier car, that it has bigger wheels and tires, that its rear-wheel drive, or a combination of some or all of these - just curious).

2. My first two cars were Corvairs (a 1960 and a '65). I mention this because they had independent rear suspension, and the 65 had to have the rear suspension aligned. Unlike the front, which has symptoms (vibrations in the steering wheel, steering wheel no longer centered when the wheels were pointed straight), the rear suspension never gave any indication that it was out of alignment - the only reason I knew it was because of the uneven tread wear. So my second question is, are there any symptoms that the rear suspension needs alignment that I should be aware of, or is it just a matter of frequent inspections of the rear tires for uneven wear?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Jim

Bruce@raymondsperformance · 09-12-2010, 08:41 PM

I would expect to touch up the alignment from time to time due to the springs settling over time due the weight of the car and normal wear.The other thing that is going to effect tire life on the camaro is that you can't rotate the tires to help spread the tire wear around like on most cars due to the different sizes from the front to rear.

JusticePete · 09-17-2010, 11:07 AM

Bruce is spot on. I would add that for the enthusiast the factory alignment is setup for the average driver and in the green range. Visiting a Suspension Specialist like Bruce to touch-up your alignment will deliver a more rewarding driving experience.

By reducing rear negative camber Bruce can dial out some of the factory designed in understeer.

By adjusting the front cambers to identical -1.0 he can dial in better front cornering.

By adjusting the toe to close to 0 he can improve the on center feel and turn in.

Factory alignment and alignments in general are just set to the green range on the machine. When Bruce does a Pedders style alignment it is a numbers matched setup and dead nuts on. The Camaro is an awesome automobile. A really good alignment makes it AWESOME.

09-11-2010, 10:08 PM	#1
OldSchool Drives: 2014 LRG 2LT Z51 Stingray Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York Posts: 46	Wheel Alignment Questions Hi: I've got two questions regarding wheel alignment that I couldn't find in any other threads using search: 1. I had a '71 RS 350 back in the early 70's, and it was a great car except that every spring I had to have the front end aligned. I've had 12 cars since then, all smaller, lighter, and with front wheel drive, and I never had to take any of them in for an alignment. So, my question is should I expect to have alignment needs with my new Camaro? (and if so, why the difference - is it the fact that it's a heavier car, that it has bigger wheels and tires, that its rear-wheel drive, or a combination of some or all of these - just curious). 2. My first two cars were Corvairs (a 1960 and a '65). I mention this because they had independent rear suspension, and the 65 had to have the rear suspension aligned. Unlike the front, which has symptoms (vibrations in the steering wheel, steering wheel no longer centered when the wheels were pointed straight), the rear suspension never gave any indication that it was out of alignment - the only reason I knew it was because of the uneven tread wear. So my second question is, are there any symptoms that the rear suspension needs alignment that I should be aware of, or is it just a matter of frequent inspections of the rear tires for uneven wear? Thanks for any help you can provide. Jim

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09-12-2010, 08:41 PM	#2
Bruce@raymondsperformance Drives: 2014 Z28 camaro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Indy Posts: 705	I would expect to touch up the alignment from time to time due to the springs settling over time due the weight of the car and normal wear.The other thing that is going to effect tire life on the camaro is that you can't rotate the tires to help spread the tire wear around like on most cars due to the different sizes from the front to rear.

09-17-2010, 11:07 AM	#3
JusticePete Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 20,174	Bruce is spot on. I would add that for the enthusiast the factory alignment is setup for the average driver and in the green range. Visiting a Suspension Specialist like Bruce to touch-up your alignment will deliver a more rewarding driving experience. By reducing rear negative camber Bruce can dial out some of the factory designed in understeer. By adjusting the front cambers to identical -1.0 he can dial in better front cornering. By adjusting the toe to close to 0 he can improve the on center feel and turn in. Factory alignment and alignments in general are just set to the green range on the machine. When Bruce does a Pedders style alignment it is a numbers matched setup and dead nuts on. The Camaro is an awesome automobile. A really good alignment makes it AWESOME.