1976 Corvette front wheel clearances
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1976 Corvette front wheel clearances
I am looking at a '76 and noticed a difference in the clearances between the front, passenger side wheelwell and tire. The tire appears to sit forward in the wheelwell and has very little clearance to the front of the well when turning the wheel to the left. The driver side looks perfectly centered in the well with no clearance problem. When driving the car, there was no pull to either side and tire wear seemed okay. The seller stated that this design is standard on the C3's and not a problem. This sounds strange and I am not familiar with this model. Can anyone help me?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I'm not sure I understand your question, but here's an idea... get the car on a level pad and use a tape measure to compare side to side measurements wherever you think there's an issue while a buddy holds the steering wheel steady. Any measurable difference with the wheel at the same position means either a body alignment problem, or a bent suspension component. Factory cars are designed to be "symmetrical" so the owner is a BS artist is the tape sees a difference. Hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
wheel clearance
Markids 77 is correct, seller is full of bs. Put the car on a lift and look for any problems with the front suspension, in particular the lower a-arms. They tend to get broken where they mount to the frame when a car hits a curb hard or whatever. Also check the frame with a tape measure while it is on the lift. Measure each side front to rear and then measure the frame diagonally. Your measurement should be the same right to left within 1/4". If it is more like 1" difference, then the frame is bent. My bet is that it is a front suspension problem, maybe car was hit in the past and some front suspension parts knocked off, and the repair was not dead on in reattaching something. That much difference in the wheel well is a problem. It could also be a minor thing such as not enough caster on the wheel that is sitting forward.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
Markids 77 is correct, seller is full of bs. Put the car on a lift and look for any problems with the front suspension, in particular the lower a-arms. They tend to get broken where they mount to the frame when a car hits a curb hard or whatever. Also check the frame with a tape measure while it is on the lift. Measure each side front to rear and then measure the frame diagonally. Your measurement should be the same right to left within 1/4". If it is more like 1" difference, then the frame is bent. My bet is that it is a front suspension problem, maybe car was hit in the past and some front suspension parts knocked off, and the repair was not dead on in reattaching something. That much difference in the wheel well is a problem. It could also be a minor thing such as not enough caster on the wheel that is sitting forward.
