Will an alignment fix this? (pics)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Will an alignment fix this? (pics)
The tops of the rear wheels on my 69 are pointed in. Is this an alignment problem or does it need a complete rebuild?
I dont know how to go about troubleshooting this.
Is there a sequence of things to do to fix this by eliminating the most obvious causes.
Thanks in advance.
I dont know how to go about troubleshooting this.
Is there a sequence of things to do to fix this by eliminating the most obvious causes.
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Look and see if the bushings are worn.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
Most common causes are either (A) worn strut bushings or (B) worn diff side yokes.
An alignment will correct your wheels back to a slightly negative camber(you have too much).. . but it wont fix the underlying issue.
My suggestion is to inspect the bushings and side yokes before doing anything.
An alignment will correct your wheels back to a slightly negative camber(you have too much).. . but it wont fix the underlying issue.
My suggestion is to inspect the bushings and side yokes before doing anything.
Last edited by Retro78; Jan 7, 2008 at 08:08 PM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
The rubber bushings on each end of the strut rods take a relaxed fit after time and this can be the cause. Vette Brakes and Products make a bushing kit that is made out of urethane. This will fix the rubber bushing problem. Also you may need a 4 wheel alignment. C3s can be very finicky in this area. Ask your local Corvette Club who they deal with. A good alignment can take 2 to 4 hours and cost $80 to $150. A good aligment can make a C3 enjoyable to drive and save you money on tires.
Goos Luck
Steve
Goos Luck
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
It would be nice if someone knew if these cars came from the factory like this. I've seen so many with negative camber that I'm thinking the rear suspension is designed that way. Mine looked the same way until I replaced the rear spring. The wheels straightened up considerably. This makes me think the wheels should be straight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
Take it to a good alignment shop, they will have the factory specs for rear alignment for a 69. My 69 when I first got it had the wheels pointing out like that, and every bump or dip I hit in the road felt like the car was bottoming out. I took it to a local alignment guy and when I got it back the wheels looked perpendicular to the ground and the ride was VERY MUCH improved. It's worth it to you to just take it and find out......................B
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Nice Pix. I agree to get it aligned. You should have very slight, almost unnoticeable negative camber when aligned properly.
The good news:
It looks like your differential side yokes are in good shape (no seepage of fluid onto the diff, plenty of clearance between the diff case flanges and the u-bolts heads, so they're not suspect
You still have adjustment left on the eccentric cam where the strut rod meets the mount below the differential. A good shop should be able to dial it in without any creative repairs (for instance, when the cam has been set to its max adjustment bubba tends to heat and bend the strut rods up to make up the difference...joy).
In my limited experience I have to say that a quality alignment did more to improve the ride and my enjoyment of the car than any other maintenance/mod I've done so far. Find a qualified shop with lots of experience with C3's and 4 wheel alignments...I've heard people claim it is a lost art. Make sure they have a solid record of aligning C3's and ask for references. Don't skimp and take your time finding a shop.
best of luck, Steve
The good news:
It looks like your differential side yokes are in good shape (no seepage of fluid onto the diff, plenty of clearance between the diff case flanges and the u-bolts heads, so they're not suspect
You still have adjustment left on the eccentric cam where the strut rod meets the mount below the differential. A good shop should be able to dial it in without any creative repairs (for instance, when the cam has been set to its max adjustment bubba tends to heat and bend the strut rods up to make up the difference...joy).
In my limited experience I have to say that a quality alignment did more to improve the ride and my enjoyment of the car than any other maintenance/mod I've done so far. Find a qualified shop with lots of experience with C3's and 4 wheel alignments...I've heard people claim it is a lost art. Make sure they have a solid record of aligning C3's and ask for references. Don't skimp and take your time finding a shop.
best of luck, Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Optical illusion? He!!, I'm lookin' right at it! [Think about it.]
Seriously, the stock specs for rear camber is just a bit slightly off nominal [zero] to account for driver/passenger weight when in use. The amoun't shown in your pics is way off. How the car gets set up depends on how the shop did the alignment. A good shop will ask you how you want the rears set up: adjust it for ONLY the driver weight; for driver & passenger; for driver and full tank of gas; etc. Since I am the only person in the car [usually] and try to fill up the tank when I get to 1/2 full, I get the rears set up for driver weight ONLY and bring it to the shop with about 3/4 tank of gas. Some shops even have a weight bag to put in the driver's seat so that the set up is more easiy accomplished.
Seriously, the stock specs for rear camber is just a bit slightly off nominal [zero] to account for driver/passenger weight when in use. The amoun't shown in your pics is way off. How the car gets set up depends on how the shop did the alignment. A good shop will ask you how you want the rears set up: adjust it for ONLY the driver weight; for driver & passenger; for driver and full tank of gas; etc. Since I am the only person in the car [usually] and try to fill up the tank when I get to 1/2 full, I get the rears set up for driver weight ONLY and bring it to the shop with about 3/4 tank of gas. Some shops even have a weight bag to put in the driver's seat so that the set up is more easiy accomplished.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
