Alignment Settings C2 w/ radials

[Ryan Clark]

I recently had my trailing arms restored. I have them reinstalled and plan to head to a local alignment shop sometime this spring.

I have radials, 215/65-R15's, on the car. I also have the shop manuals that show the alignments for the original bias ply tires. However, several have stated that the car should not be aligned using the bias ply measurements.

If I should not use the bias ply measurements, what should I use? What was the first year radials were used on the vettes. Will this work correctly for my '65.? Does anybody have the information available to email me or post here?

thanks
Ryan

[Duke W.]

Re: Alignment Settings C2 w/ radials

The biggest change in alignmemt for radials is toe. Radials need less toe-in than bias ply tires because they have longer contact patches and more inherent self-aligning torque. For a Midyear with radials I recommend zero camber on the front, minus 1/2 on the rear with total toe-in of about 1/16" front and rear.

If you want crisper handling, set the front and rear camber at minus one on both ends and use urethane bushings in the front anti-roll bar end-links. Caster should be in the range of 1.5-2.0 for manual steering and 2.0-2.5 for power steering. Greater caster yields better steering wheel self-alignment and on-center feel, but increases steering effort. Front caster and camber and rear camber should be as close to equal side to side as possible. Rear toe should also be equally divided. Front toe will always "self-center", but if the toe isn't equal, the steering wheel will be cocked at an angle while running straight.

The first year for OEM radials on the Corvette was 1973, size GR70-15 replaced with 225/70R-15 in '78 with optional 255/60R-15s.

Duke