Alignment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Lewistown MT
Alignment
I took the 66 out for its first high speed road test last night. About 30 miles at 75 mph. Everything seemed to check out fine. However, I noticed the front end seemed a little loose. I'm thinking I need to have the alignment checked. Since we only have one shop that does alignments here is there anything I can tell these guys before they start work or are the alignment procedures fairly standard for these things??
(I DO plan to tell them to take off there greasy coveralls before they drive it onto and off the lifts)
(I DO plan to tell them to take off there greasy coveralls before they drive it onto and off the lifts)
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 776
From: Dadeville AL
Re: Alignment (6tee6)
Here is a partial list of things that may cause "loose steering":
1. Worn bearings in the steering columun.
2. Worn rag joint.
3. Worn or poorly adjusted steering gear.
4. Worn suspension components.
What makes you think the problem is due to an alignment problem?
1. Worn bearings in the steering columun.
2. Worn rag joint.
3. Worn or poorly adjusted steering gear.
4. Worn suspension components.
What makes you think the problem is due to an alignment problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Re: Alignment (kellsdad)
What kind/type/size of tires are you running? What tire pressure? How old are your control arm bushings/ball joints/tie rod ends - any play there? Are the front wheel bearings properly adjusted? A good alignment guy can check those items out in a hurry, as they should do that before they start any alignment procedure anyway.
The front alignment is no different than any other car; the rear toe-in is the tricky part, and takes time. Give us some more info and we can give more guidance. :thumbs:
The front alignment is no different than any other car; the rear toe-in is the tricky part, and takes time. Give us some more info and we can give more guidance. :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Lewistown MT
Re: Alignment (kellsdad)
Good point...
I'm not sure its simply an alignment. It could be any one or all of those things you mentioned.
However, there's really nothing that would indicate any other problem, no tire wear, no rattling, no jumping from side to side, etc. The car just doesn't feel real tight. It may be that's more reflective of the style and year of the car as its hard not to notice a huge difference between my 99 dodge p.u. and the 66.
Could just be the crappy roads we have here in Fergus County....
I'm running some decent radials with little to no tire wear but I want to get the front end checked out before I do to much serious road time.
thanks for the input
I'm not sure its simply an alignment. It could be any one or all of those things you mentioned.
However, there's really nothing that would indicate any other problem, no tire wear, no rattling, no jumping from side to side, etc. The car just doesn't feel real tight. It may be that's more reflective of the style and year of the car as its hard not to notice a huge difference between my 99 dodge p.u. and the 66.
Could just be the crappy roads we have here in Fergus County....
I'm running some decent radials with little to no tire wear but I want to get the front end checked out before I do to much serious road time.
thanks for the input
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Alignment (6tee6)
Since we only have one shop that does alignments here is there anything I can tell these guys before they start work or are the alignment procedures fairly standard for these things??
(I DO plan to tell them to take off there greasy coveralls before they drive it onto and off the lifts)
(I DO plan to tell them to take off there greasy coveralls before they drive it onto and off the lifts)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Re: Alignment (vettes1st)
IMO, my 66 tracks straighter and has better road feel than any rack and pinion car I have driven. I wish my new Pontiac had 66 Corvette steering in it. The 2003 Pontiac has been back to the dealer 5 times to try to keep it from wandering. The dealer has even replaced the tires. It is also my 25th car, so I have sampled a good cross section of the rack and pinions out there.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,264
Re: Alignment (6tee6)
However, I noticed the front end seemed a little loose.
Do you mean that the steering has noticeable play on center or is the on-center feel poor? Also what kind of tires do you have?
Excess on-center play would call for a thorough inspection and analysis of the entire steering system from the steering wheel to the road wheels. C2s generally have good on-center feel and self centering due to caster, but tires have a big inpact, too. Lack of on-center feel can be improved with more caster, but the tradeoff is greater effort, especially at low speed.
Duke
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Lewistown MT
Re: Alignment (SWCDuke)
My choice of words may not be the most accurate. When I say "loose" what I mean is the car seems to wander a little at higher speeds. Nothing in the steering really feels loose or "rattly" like its unsafe or somethings coming apart.
Nevertheless, I did find a mechanic who at least appreciates older cars and will check out the basics for me.
I'm running Goodyear Radials 205/75-15
Nevertheless, I did find a mechanic who at least appreciates older cars and will check out the basics for me.
I'm running Goodyear Radials 205/75-15
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,264
Re: Alignment (6tee6)
You need more caster. Spec for '63 is 1.75 degrees, but I recommend more for those who can deal with a little increased steering effort at low speed as it will increase on center feel at speed and make for better straight line tracking. For power steering I recommend at least 2 and maybe even 2.5 degrees.
Duke
Duke
