rear alignment 1982
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
rear alignment 1982
after putting on new trailing arms,i now need a rear end alignment.i stopped at several alignment shops and chevy dealers.one shop said how hard those cars are to get on the rack because they sit to low .another said they are verry difficult to align.most said that they have to charge more on vettes than any other car[corvette tax]all these shops had young guys standing around like they had nothing to do .the last shop i called, a young sounding guy took all my info and said his dad has done them for over thirty years and would be happy to do another c3 .i think i found the right shop.
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Sounds like it. When I had my '74 aligned, the technician admitted he had never set the rear on a Corvette. I told him I would do it if he set up the machine and did the front. He watched the numbers, I turned the camber bolts, and he and I set it together.
#4
Burning Brakes
I had to do the same thing. Basically gave the guy a class on aligning the rear of the C3. Both camber and toe settings. Then I had to pay more than a "standard" alignment for the privilege. At least I know it was done correctly...
#5
Melting Slicks
Had a 4 wheel alignment done last year from someone who has worked on Vettes before. After a couple of hours of wrenching, pulling, spraying , walking back and forth, I couldnt stand it any longer.
Went for breakfast . Returned and car was ready about 1/2 hour later. He explained about the shims being rusted etc and how painstaking slow it was, taking his time to get it right. His reputation preceded him.
Paid $190.00 . I was in that bay for quite some time.
Good luck.
Went for breakfast . Returned and car was ready about 1/2 hour later. He explained about the shims being rusted etc and how painstaking slow it was, taking his time to get it right. His reputation preceded him.
Paid $190.00 . I was in that bay for quite some time.
Good luck.
#6
Pro
Yeah, The camber adjustment is a breeze. It's the toe-in setting that's a booger.They are pretty old cars and the rust doesn't help matters either. But the toe has to be set or it will scrub the tires right off of the car in no time. If the guy doesn't have a four wheel alignment machine, he can just back the car on and set it for toe-out instead of toe-in. Good luck to you!!!!
#7
Safety Car
#8
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
i took out the old shims and taped them together.then when i put it back together i had some idea what was needed.will find out how close or far off i am.all new parts are stainless.on the new aftermarket struts i adjusted them as close as i could get to the factory ones.
#9
Racer
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Wichita Kansas
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Since you have new shims etc. this isn't a difficult job. Just takes some time. All you need is a laser pointer and a level, two tape measures and two straight edges. I did my own till I sold my C-3 and now do my C-5.
http://www.davidfarmerstuff.com/align.pdf
It is important that the tires are pointing the same direction (thrust angle) I always recommend a small amount of toe-in on the rear of a C-3 1/16 to 1/8 inch total. Toe-out is bad.
http://www.davidfarmerstuff.com/align.pdf
It is important that the tires are pointing the same direction (thrust angle) I always recommend a small amount of toe-in on the rear of a C-3 1/16 to 1/8 inch total. Toe-out is bad.
#11
Team Owner
Let your "fingers do the walking" in the Yellow Pages. Call several alignment shops in your local area and "quiz" them on how much experience they have with Corvettes. Another way to go is to call a local Corvette Club and ask them where they get theirs done.
Driving into any-old-shop and crossing your fingers is no way to do it.
Driving into any-old-shop and crossing your fingers is no way to do it.
#13
Team Owner
Good deal.