[xSHAKEandBAKEx]

Drives: Chevrolet Camaro LT1
Join Date: Feb 2026
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 8
iTrader Rating: 0 reviews
Alignment/handlings problems after repair.
I was involved in a side swipe on my LT1 impacting the rear quarter panel, door, rocker, and rear wheel.

The car bump steers like crazy, steering feel is uneven side to side with it being lighter to the left , and it just doesn’t feel connected to the pavement especially when making left turns.

After each of my 3 alignments in the last month with totally decent numbers on the sheet when I left, I’d find the left front and back left toe was almost double the value (.10 to .20 or close to) after an alignment check.

[bishopts]

What suspension parts were replaced?

[xSHAKEandBAKEx]

They did not replace any suspension parts. Simply pulled out the dent from the rear qtr panel and replaced the door.

[S.Macias]

Total toe for both front and rear seem a little high. Rear total toe for me is 0.1 degree (0.05 on each side) with front toe set to 0.

They may also need to reset the Steering Angle Sensor.

[m6-lt1]

What tires do you have?

[bishopts]

Do you have FE3 suspension with it being an LT1?
I would think FE2.

Could be using the wrong target numbers if that's the case

[xSHAKEandBAKEx]

Originally Posted by bishopts

Do you have FE3 suspension with it being an LT1?
I would think FE2.

Could be using the wrong target numbers if that's the case

It’s the FE3 suspension. I’m most concerned about the cross sai angle at -0.7. I normally see +- variations of .1 degrees (that last spec sheet from the dealer) The steering is is really close now and sways way more now to counter the same crowned roads I’ve been driving on. Way more play in the steering.

I feel like the suspension on the left side is softer than the right. I can feel right front suspension behaving differently, giving more feedback, harsher but in the right way. The left side suspension seems less responsive and the car pulls left as well.

Hope this provided better feedback. I feel like I have a bent “something” in there and to the body shop and dealer, it looks fine but they don’t know the car you know.

[xSHAKEandBAKEx]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

What tires do you have?

GoodYear F1 A/S 245/40/20
Square set up (stock)

[bishopts]

Ive seen a dead rear shock make a car change lines on the highway from an even bump. The customer told me her car was dangerous on the highway, i went and drove it and came back and told her that thing is a deathtrap.
Ive also had a car that wagged like a fish on the highway and it was the bushing in one of the rear upper control arms. It wasn't really bad, just worse than the other side.

[xSHAKEandBAKEx]

Originally Posted by bishopts

Ive seen a dead rear shock make a car change lines on the highway from an even bump. The customer told me her car was dangerous on the highway, i went and drove it and came back and told her that thing is a deathtrap.
Ive also had a car that wagged like a fish on the highway and it was the bushing in one of the rear upper control arms. It wasn't really bad, just worse than the other side.

It’s gotta be that back strut from the wheel that got hit. Not to mention the alignment angles on the rear left wheel change 200 miles after driving so something is definitely bent. The cars feel like the center axis is like 40 degree off to the left which would make sense if that back shock is not supporting the wheel like it should.

I appreciate the feedback.

I’m getting it inspected Monday so I’ll just take it easy on her until then.

[bishopts]

To clarify for you the spring supports the weight. The strut just dapens the movement.
So if the spring isn't supporting the weight it will look squished down on that corner while it's just sitting there.
But if the strut is bad, when you hit a bump evenly with both tires, the body will squish the bad side faster and more which will make it pull hard to that side.

[dpevans]

Bushings, a bad bushing will throw off your alignment. A good alignment guy should be able to tell you that. I have a 24 SS 1LE and have already replaced the front lower control arms due to bushing failure. I track mine though but I assume a accident can cause bushing damage.