wheel alignment question

[clusaz]

I have a low mileage C5. Last week I discovered that my front tires were literally thread bare on the inside (could not see them before because of the wheel well depth). I replaced them and had the alignment checked and corrected. I don't know if it is my impresssion, but the car doesn't seem to corner as well as before?

 

[cntrhub]

Toe-In is I believe, you look at the top and watch where the front wheel is. Stand in front of the car. Now look to see if the front end looks like a formula one car with a lot of toe-in.

So, yes, I believe you have felt a more straight up tire tread saving ride, but sacrificed handling moving the toe-in to more straight up where tire wear is even.

At least, that is my guess.

 

[clusaz]

I'll check, but that makes sense. Thanks

 

[Hib Halverson]

I have a low mileage C5. Last week I discovered that my front tires were literally thread bare on the inside (could not see them before because of the wheel well depth). I replaced them and had the alignment checked and corrected. I don't know if it is my impresssion, but the car doesn't seem to corner as well as before?

If you wore the insides of the fronts out prematurely, that may have been too much negative camber in front.

If the car doesn't handle as well after an alignment to correct too much negative camber, you have just learned an important lesson about compromises for street driving.

In fact, the best camber setting for cornering may wear tires on the inside of the tread.

When camber is readjusted for less camber, the car might not corner quite as well, but treadlife will increase.

Just curious...what year is the low mileage C5 and does it have Z51 or Z06?

Also, what were the before and after alignment numbers?

 

[hotshotzny]

do the vettes have a .. i guess i will call it a feature... that at higher speeds the toe in and camber adjust so the tires ride differently.. the bmw m3's do that.. never knew it until the same thing happend to me, happend to put it up one day and got a look at the tires... the rears were wore right down to the cords...... bmw actually had a leveling kit to adjust it so not to wear your tires out as quickly... never invested in it

 

[Hib Halverson]

Corvettes do not have such a feature.

 

[rwd]

You posted in the Z06 section. If the car is indeed a C5 Z06, they're notorious for wearing out the inside edge of the fronts due to increased negative camber spec (over non-Z06 vettes).

IIRC, the coupe/vert setting is pretty neutral, so unless you use those settings with the replacement tires, it'll happen again.

FWIW, IIRC, lowering the car (either the common way that uses the bolts or by cutting the bushings) will exacerbate the problem. So if you've got a coupe or vert, that may be the source of the wear. Don't know what the Z51 camber specs are, so I can't help there.