LowRyter

I just had Discount Tires install new tires on my C6. The left front is out of toe, the old tire was down to the cord on the inside. This was a surprise since the car goes down the road straight and the alignment checked a year ago.

Anyway, DT doesn't do alignment and so my saga begins. I decided I wanted PFADT alignment which is just a more precise version of the stock settings. I can understand that this might require more labor which I am willing to pay for. Anyway, none of the typical discount tire stores would do a custom alignment, several could not do a Corvette because it's too low to the ground. I found a couple places that will do it but they are booked until the middle of next week.

I hope I can find someone to do it soon. And I hope it's worth all the effort (I am skeptical that I will feel the difference but I'll never know until I try it).

4SUMERZ

Getting the PFADT algnment should cost no more than the typical OEM specs. Just tell them the numbers that you are after, and they will do it for you.
You will get a before and after alignment print out.
I had the same issue on my old tires that I replaced. They wore on the insides and only towards the beginning of early Fall. They were checked for wear in July and all was well. I hit a few Interstate paving transitions pretty hard on our last road trip, so that is likely where the adjustment got out of whack. Luckily, the tires were due for replacement so it wasn't a big deal.
My camber settings were in spec, but my toe readings were -0.61 degrees and +0.41 degrees respectively. The steer ahead was out as well at -0.51 degrees.
The after readings were at PFADT specs. Cost of the 4 wheel alignment was $84.65 + tax.

WW7

Use the specs below for the "pure street" and you won't have any strange wear problems.. It's what I use with great wear......WW

LowRyter

Oh to clarify, I have the PFADT specs all typed up. Gave it to them or called them. The shops refused or were too busy.

And yes, it will likely take more labor since the OEM spec has a lot more "slop". It's very likely that a wheel will be in factory spec but would need adjustment to meet the PFADT spec. There might be a training issues, since the machines want the year and make and just analyze "green" or "red". Someone would actually have to type in some numbers into the alignment check.

Vet Interested

I'm not in OKC but try this. I ended up getting Firestone tires which has nothing to do with your question but when I told them I wanted a alignment other than stock they would not because of tire warranties. i signed a paper saying Firestone was not liable if I had uneven tire wear based on the settings I supplied. (My old fronts were wearing on the outside edges). It's been 20,000 miles and they still look new! I got the lifetime alignment and get them checked every 5,000 miles. I'll bet if you look around someone will do it. Talk to the actual guy that will do it and make sure he knows what you want done. Should not be a problem. (I've driven in OKC. Might consider a lifetime alignment if you plan on keeping the car)!!

LowRyter

Vet- A lifetime alignment is totally worthless if it's not against the factory specs. And ironically it was the local Firestone shop that I had the conflict with- the manager actually called me on the phone after I dropped off the car (with the written specs) after a careful discussion and explanation with the rep. It really chapped me after the scheduler and I had a complete discussion about it. If they had said "no" to begin with, I'd have been on my way but the run around is total BS. The manager said his employee was new there, I am not sure what the excuse is for his 2 coworkers that were part of the conversation.

Yeah, funny dig about the roads.

Vet Interested

Disagree big time about the lifetime warranty. Aligning your car to factory specs will pretty much ensure premature tire wear like mine did. The center of the tires were great. The edges were bad. I get my car checked every 5,000 miles to ensure the our potholes have not knocked it out of the Pfadt settings. Must be doing something right because the tires still look new. So the cost of the lifetime alignment was recouped two alignments ago.
You might be able to find a speed shop willing to do the alignment.
Good luck!


Anyone else agree, disagree or could care less??.

LowRyter

You miss my point. The "lifetime warranty" is only honored for factory specs, not custom. Of course, that was the position from someone that wouldn't do custom specs in the first place (too much work). But if you found someone that will honor it, good for you.

But I am glad you said I can expect better tire wear after I get the PFADT alignment.

cmonkey713

OKC/Edmond alinement, Kennedy's tire and auto repair in Edmond. they have alined several Corvettes for me with no complaints or returns. I think it is about $110 for a four wheel alinement. They will work for hours if needed to get it right.

LowRyter

I'll give Kennedy's a hollar. Never had good luck with them repairing cars and haven't been back in 20 years. But alignment should be risk free.

lightbulb

How about getting a more precise version of the stock settings. I am on my third C6 and NEVER had a problem when the the stock settings are put right in the middle and done by somebody that actually knows what they are doing on a Hunter machine.

jrose7004

I'd go to Kennedys.

LowRyter

Labor wise it's the same thing whether you go with the PFADT or "stock in the middle". Either way, you're asking the alignment shop to accurately adjust each wheel to a precise setting, rather just checking that is in the wider range of settings allowed by the OEM spec.

I am convinced the reason that name brand tire stores won't use a custom setting, whether PFADT or "stock in the middle", is the amount of time required to do it. And again, that is why those stores won't commit to a "lifetime warranty"; it would mean anytime you ask for a lifetime warranty check, they are more likely to have to make alignment adjustments.

To your central point, PFADT vs "stock in the middle"? I don't know, there is a little more research and experience with it here on the board. If you look at the specs, there is a very minor difference. So basically I want to check out PFADT and to see for myself. Since my car tracks straight despite that the left front was down to the cord on the inside, I doubt if I will be able to feel the difference.

LowRyter

I just called Kennedy's. They don't do custom wheel alignments.

Like most places, the alignment equipment does not allow them to enter custom settings, the tech types in the make and model of car, the machine checks against OEM settings and they adjust only when they get a "red light".

At least they guy was honest enough to tell me that before I dropped the car off, unlike the Firestone store.

The only places that tell me they can do it is Rt 66 Tire (2nd & Bryant) and Firestone (McArthur & Memorial). I'll go over to Rt 66 next week.



Finally, I have to ask if many folks here are really getting a custom alignment? if you are going to discount tire store I have my doubts. You're really going to have to find a specialist to do the work.

lightbulb

I only deal with one guy and he puts the OEM specs to dead center no questions asks so I don't personally know what other shops would bitch about other than the fact you are asking them to put in different numbers than what the machine calls for. At least with the OEM program up on the screen you can tell the tech "look I want the needle on the black on all the settings, I don't want it good enough I want it perfect". Believe me I am under the car with my tech as he is doing it and to get the oem specs to dead center instead of just in the green area takes literally all of 10-15 minutes more for all four corners. My GS is set to dead center and my tires wear perfectly (Bridgestone RE-11's) with pinpoint handling accuracy.

LowRyter

LB, great. If your guy will do that, I'd like to go there. I am sure he would do the PFADT. Where do I go? That's why I asked.

lightbulb

Sorry Low Ryter I am in this thread to offer my advice on wheel alignments and settings but I don't live near you, I should have mentioned that.

Vet Interested

It's really helps if we update our avatar with our location so we all know where one lives when offering advise. Makes it easier for everyone.

lightbulb

I was looking. Where exactly do you enter your location.

Vet Interested

If I remember right, click on your username. You will see a tab "About Me". Hit it. You should be able to edit your location.