For a driver that has 205 Radials with big swaybars I just need a starting point to give to the alignment guy - I will propably have to hold his hand as the car is 20 years older than he is & now that everything in the suspension is new & the front discs are on & bled, it's raining & I can't try it out !!!!!!!!!

 

I believe the alignment settings are listed in the ST-12. Don't have it with me at the moment, but, will check tonight. If you haven't received them from someone else, by then, I'll shoot them over. :cheers:

 

Toe in spec is 1/8" to 1/4" (combined or "total"), but this is for original bias type tires. Recommend 1/16" to 3/32" (total) for radial tires. Have seen some even recommend 0, but seeing that the front end will "give" a little, I prefer the 1/16". Note that I have radials, and it handles quite nicely with the 1/16" toe in.

Caster spec. is 2 deg. +/- 1/2 deg.

Camber spec. is 1/2 deg +/- 1/2 deg.

King Pin Inclination is 3-1/2 deg. to 4-1/2 deg.

These specs are for all 53 through 62 Vettes and are as listed (except for the radial tire toe-in) from the ST-12, Section 14.

If you and your alignment guy have no experience with the method of alignment on these older Vettes, you and he are in for problems. You need the ST-12 manual to detail the method for setting camber/caster. Here is a brief description which may allow you to make the adjustments. It is not done via shims, but with an eccentric pivot pin in the upper control arm. The rear outer control arm grease (Zerk) fitting is removed (above the king pin), and an Allen Wrench inserted through the hole to turn the eccentric. Must loosen the clamp bolt before it will turn. Turn the pivot pin to get the Caster setting, then turn the pivot pin less than 1/2 turn in direction required to get the Camber setting! This should allow both the Caster & Camber settings to be "within spec.". Don't forget to tighten the clamp bolt and replace the grease fitting after adjustment. Toe in is adjusted via tie rod sleeves, after the Steering Wheel is centered & verified to be on the steering gear "high" spot.

Who supplied your C1 front disc kit and how well did it go on?

Good luck,


[Modified by Plasticman, 11:48 AM 1/10/2003]

 

Since our front suspensions are basically the same as '49-'54 passenger cars, is this whole deal about taking out the zerk fitting to access the allen head the same as on those cars?

I ask this because when I am to the stage of aligning my front end, Los Angeles should be big enough that I could find a guy familiar with '49-'54 Chevy alignment. In other words, this expands my field rather than just trying to find a '53-'62 Corvette guy.

I have the ST-12 and having read several threads about C1 alignment, I have a basic understanding of what's involved. But just the same, I'd rather find an experienced guy rather than have to hold the hand of a new guy.

- Mike Greene

 

Yes they just remove the zirk & use an allen wrench it is going to be a comprimise between castor & camber as since there is only 1 adjustment yah gotta find a happy medium I was just hoping to find some one that had done one with radials as far as a new guy well I am really just using him to get to his equipment he said I could work with him to get it right
I think the real secret for the radials is in the toe settings & will go with the factory settings on castor & camber & 1/16 on toe to start

Jeff Jenner

 

Mike - Most alignment guys who remember how this is done are either using walkers or taking dirt naps :rolleyes: Take your ST-12 (and an allen wrench) with you, as you'll probably have to "train" someone unless you're lucky enough to find a shop that has someone who knows C1's :thumbs:

 

Mike & JohnZ,

Studebakers used the same "system" of removal of grease fitting, turn with Allen. Had that on our Avanti, and had to show the alignment guys "what to do with that". Expands your knowledge base "a little", but sure not by much.

Plasticman

 

Yeah, I hear you about the walkers. And if Studebakers used the same concept, maybe . . .

I'm holding at least some optomism because when I had my leaf springs done, I found this run down looking shop less than a mile from here. When I went inside, the guy was like 60 or 70 years old, and his shop had four cars from the 40s/50s that were his. I knew I was in the right place!

- Mike Greene