C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

wheel alignment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 12:50 PM
  #1  
BK N 66's Avatar
BK N 66
Thread Starter
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 468
Likes: 12
From: Pleasant Hill CA
Default wheel alignment

had my front end alignment done and car feels good and steers good. however the alignment shop did not align the rear of the car as he said he does not have
the proper shims? he also stated that the front alignment is the most important and the rear aliignment is not that important. he said my rear alignment was
out 3 degrees.
my question is should i be concerned about the rear? should i take it to another shop and have the rear aligned??? how important is the rear alignment?
thanks for any help and information.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 12:59 PM
  #2  
rowingone's Avatar
rowingone
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 318
From: Longmont Colorado
Default

me personally I would want it done . .you can buy the shims online and take them with you to the alignment place. Depends on how much you drive and no its not as critical as the front
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 01:04 PM
  #3  
Vette5311's Avatar
Vette5311
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,806
Likes: 2,230
From: Golden Colorado
Default

What does “out by 3 degrees” mean? What’s out camber? Then that’s a lot. Any good alignment should include a printout of before and after readings both front and rear even if a rear was not performed. Anybody that makes a statement like “the rear doesn’t really matter” I would be looking for a new shop. JMHO. .
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 01:15 PM
  #4  
SWCDuke's Avatar
SWCDuke
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,271
Default

Originally Posted by BK N 66
rear aliignment is not that important. he said my rear alignment was
out 3 degrees.
The guy is a moron! Stable handling of a C2 Corvette requires rear suspension alignment, particularly toe, to be in a narrow range, and if camber is "out three degrees" the tires are riding on the shoulders.

Do you have a sheet with all all the alignment sheets? If so, post if. If not go to a shop that has modern four wheel alignment equipment with some correct shims to get the toe-in properly set., and get the hard copy of the initial and final settings. Search for threads started by me for how to set rear toe, and also search sport and touring alignment settings.

Duke




Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 01:16 PM
  #5  
bauto's Avatar
bauto
Drifting
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 471
From: new bern nc
Default

I was taught back in the late 70's that you always did the rear first and then the front other wise the front could still be out . i would be looking for another shop that has experience in corvettes
Bob
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 01:36 PM
  #6  
Vette5311's Avatar
Vette5311
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,806
Likes: 2,230
From: Golden Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by bauto
I was taught back in the late 70's that you always did the rear first and then the front other wise the front could still be out . i would be looking for another shop that has experience in corvettes
Bob
YES. Thrust line and center line need to be very close. Then front is referenced from this. Ever seen a car going down the road “dog tracking” sideways? That is what off.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 03:20 PM
  #7  
Tampa Jerry's Avatar
Tampa Jerry
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,546
Likes: 1,978
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Default

Find a shop that knows how to correctly align a C-2, C-3 Corvette. The tech will have gray or white hair. Bring your alignment specs with you. They are different for radial tires vs. bias ply tires. Lastly, make sure you can easily loosen the pivot bolt and shims. If the bolt is frozen or the shims are rusted, you are in for some work making the parts removable. If not an NCRS car and you have to change out the shims, consider slotted stainless steel shims from a 69 plus C-3. If frozen, prepare to pull some hair out. . Jerry
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 03:27 PM
  #8  
barkingrats's Avatar
barkingrats
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Supporting Gold
 
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,204
Likes: 4,295
From: US-PNW
Default

Originally Posted by Tampa Jerry
Lastly, make sure you can easily loosen the pivot bolt and shims.
Begin daily spraying all of the attachment and alignment points with PB Blaster or the like at least a week before the work is done.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 04:15 PM
  #9  
JF in MI's Avatar
JF in MI
Melting Slicks
Pro Mechanic
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 1,772
From: Central Michigan
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Tampa Jerry
Find a shop that knows how to correctly align a C-2, C-3 Corvette. The tech will have gray or white hair. Bring your alignment specs with you. They are different for radial tires vs. bias ply tires. Lastly, make sure you can easily loosen the pivot bolt and shims. If the bolt is frozen or the shims are rusted, you are in for some work making the parts removable. If not an NCRS car and you have to change out the shims, consider slotted stainless steel shims from a 69 plus C-3. If frozen, prepare to pull some hair out. . Jerry
Having been in the alignment business for 20 years (and having done my fair share of C2-C3 rear ends) this is the issue. Aligning a rusty C2-C3 rear is not worth the money.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2022 | 07:10 PM
  #10  
silver837's Avatar
silver837
Le Mans Master
Supporting Gold
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 5,136
Likes: 1,617
From: Nor- Cal
Default

Where did you go for your alignment ? I would like to know so I won't go there. If you don't want to name the place in this thread , please PM me .
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2022 | 08:40 AM
  #11  
SupremeDeluxe's Avatar
SupremeDeluxe
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 5,401
Likes: 986
From: Itasca IL
Default

I'm going to start a thread on string-aligning a C2 in the near future. I did it on my 67 and it turned out great. There is no one locally I can trust to do it (the expert passed away last year), so I figured it out on my own (like most things).
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2022 | 09:36 AM
  #12  
3154tm's Avatar
3154tm
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 780
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
Default

Originally Posted by SupremeDeluxe
I'm going to start a thread on string-aligning a C2 in the near future. I did it on my 67 and it turned out great. There is no one locally I can trust to do it (the expert passed away last year), so I figured it out on my own (like most things).
i look forward to reading this.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2022 | 10:26 AM
  #13  
Vette5311's Avatar
Vette5311
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,806
Likes: 2,230
From: Golden Colorado
Default

I’m in.
I’ve been doing my own on the front with a spindle mount and strings for toe for a while now. Would love to learn to do the rear toe.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2022 | 10:30 AM
  #14  
petdoc's Avatar
petdoc
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 721
From: San Antonio Texas
Default

Originally Posted by supremedeluxe
i'm going to start a thread on string-aligning a c2 in the near future. I did it on my 67 and it turned out great. There is no one locally i can trust to do it (the expert passed away last year), so i figured it out on my own (like most things).
+1,000,000
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2022 | 10:37 AM
  #15  
Vet65te's Avatar
Vet65te
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,005
Likes: 1,510
From: Prescott Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by SupremeDeluxe
I'm going to start a thread on string-aligning a C2 in the near future. I did it on my 67 and it turned out great. There is no one locally I can trust to do it (the expert passed away last year), so I figured it out on my own (like most things).
Great timing - I'm in the process of adding Power Steering to my 66 L72 Roadster and 'while in there' replaced the tie rod ends and idler arm along with rebuilding the steering box...with a kit from Gary Ramadei. The other midyear I have that's going to be needing alignment is the 65 396 Roadster that I'm also working on.
Thanks,
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2022 | 05:54 PM
  #16  
John S 1961's Avatar
John S 1961
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
Default

Super easy to string it. All racing cars were done that way for 100 years. Most still are. See "prepare to win" by caroll smith. Great book.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To wheel alignment





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:46 PM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE