C1 Front End Alignment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
C1 Front End Alignment
Good Morning Vette People,
I just rebuilt the Front End on my '62. All seems to be in
good working order. Just a couple of questions on the Caster and Camber
adjustments. Having changed all of the components myself, I know that
the Outer Shaft on the Upper A Arm is the Camber adjustment. The lower Inner shafts are shimmed on the mounting bolts (inner firewall side).
The alignment is pretty close but Caster and Camber are still off by a degree or less and the springs still need to wear in a little. My question is:
Are these shims on the Lower A Arm inner shaft used to set the Caster?
The Old Chilton Manual describes the Upper Outer shaft setting as a "full
Camber" adjustment, although it does offset the Caster by a small margin too. Which should be adjusted first? Any other suggestions are welcomed.
The Toe In adjustment is right on the money at this time. Just looking to
adjust Caster and Camber to correct settings as well.
Thanks...Take Care,
Shawn :chevy
I just rebuilt the Front End on my '62. All seems to be in
good working order. Just a couple of questions on the Caster and Camber
adjustments. Having changed all of the components myself, I know that
the Outer Shaft on the Upper A Arm is the Camber adjustment. The lower Inner shafts are shimmed on the mounting bolts (inner firewall side).
The alignment is pretty close but Caster and Camber are still off by a degree or less and the springs still need to wear in a little. My question is:
Are these shims on the Lower A Arm inner shaft used to set the Caster?
The Old Chilton Manual describes the Upper Outer shaft setting as a "full
Camber" adjustment, although it does offset the Caster by a small margin too. Which should be adjusted first? Any other suggestions are welcomed.
The Toe In adjustment is right on the money at this time. Just looking to
adjust Caster and Camber to correct settings as well.
Thanks...Take Care,
Shawn :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Re: C1 Front End Alignment (stouro)
The outer upper shaft adjusts both camber AND caster; there were originally no shims between the lower inner control arm shaft and the crossmember, and adding/subtracting shims there will have little or no effect at all on either caster or camber.
The Chevrolet "ST-12" (1953-62 Corvette Servicing Guide, the only Shop Manual ever published by GM for C1's) is a far better reference than the Chilton or Haynes manuals. Have the shop set caster first by turning the upper outer shaft, then set camber; once caster is set, there's only a one-turn (360 degrees) range of camber adjustment. When you take it to the alignment shop, take your manual and an allen wrench with you, as nobody there will have a clue where the adjustment is or how to adjust it - the guys that do are long-since retired, and are either using walkers or taking dirt naps. :thumbs:
The Chevrolet "ST-12" (1953-62 Corvette Servicing Guide, the only Shop Manual ever published by GM for C1's) is a far better reference than the Chilton or Haynes manuals. Have the shop set caster first by turning the upper outer shaft, then set camber; once caster is set, there's only a one-turn (360 degrees) range of camber adjustment. When you take it to the alignment shop, take your manual and an allen wrench with you, as nobody there will have a clue where the adjustment is or how to adjust it - the guys that do are long-since retired, and are either using walkers or taking dirt naps. :thumbs:
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 15
From: Redlands, CA
Re: C1 Front End Alignment (JohnZ)
PMFJI, gents...
The owner of the alignment shop working on my 62 isn't quite to the walker stage, and he does know where and how to use the Allen wrench. He's asked me to get specs on stock front springs and also optional "stiff" front springs. (We're working on an abnormal "nose low" condition.)
I haven't found specs in the ST12 or AIM (may have missed them, though) and would appreciate any help in nailing down uncompressed length, coil wire diameter, and "static load" initial compression (distance)...for both types.
Thx in advance for any help, even a pointer to where I can do the homework.
John P.
The owner of the alignment shop working on my 62 isn't quite to the walker stage, and he does know where and how to use the Allen wrench. He's asked me to get specs on stock front springs and also optional "stiff" front springs. (We're working on an abnormal "nose low" condition.)
I haven't found specs in the ST12 or AIM (may have missed them, though) and would appreciate any help in nailing down uncompressed length, coil wire diameter, and "static load" initial compression (distance)...for both types.
Thx in advance for any help, even a pointer to where I can do the homework.
John P.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Re: C1 Front End Alignment (3rd Red 62)
My archive notes show the following: The standard C1 front spring was GM #3756540, 13-3/4" unloaded height, 0.550" dia. wire, 9.75 coils (7.94 active), 4.30" outside diameter, loaded height 9.62" at 1145 pounds, 300#/inch rate.
The RPO 684 spring was GM #3748141, 11-1/8" unloaded height, 9.12" height at 1145# load, 0.636" wire diameter, 8.75 coils (6.94 active), 4.44" outside diameter, 550#/inch rate.
:cheers:
The RPO 684 spring was GM #3748141, 11-1/8" unloaded height, 9.12" height at 1145# load, 0.636" wire diameter, 8.75 coils (6.94 active), 4.44" outside diameter, 550#/inch rate.
:cheers:
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 15
From: Redlands, CA
Re: C1 Front End Alignment (58Mike)
John P-
Where exactly is this alignment shop? It'd be nice to take my car to a guy who's already done this!
- Mike Greene
Where exactly is this alignment shop? It'd be nice to take my car to a guy who's already done this!
- Mike Greene
John P.
