Hi just got my first corvette.
I hear many mix opinions on the car for that year.
Only thing that concerns me on it..Is when i start to accelerate fast it feels like the back end wants to slide out and feels like i will lose control.
Also the steering is extremely sensitive..Not sure if this is a good or bad thing. No play on wheel..i move the wheels slightly and tire moves.
Im use to having play and naturally my hand like to go side to side a little.Did not feel to good doing this at average speeds.Felt like i was jerking car.
Any advice on how to approve these issues or input?
Biggest concern was the feel as the back end was going to lose traction
thanks Lou

 

Unless you have a heavily modified engine in your '79, I doubt the car is capable of breaking the tires loose without your doing something REALLY silly with it. I have a 425+ hp motor in my 4-speed car and mine still stays pretty well planted...unless I do something silly...

Without any pictures of the general condition of the car, it'd be pretty difficult to diagnose.

I know the rear of these vehicles are BRILLIANT when working properly, but can become a bit of a bear as thrust bearings and trailing arm bushings start to wear out. Movement of the suspension members and tire position under the torque of acceleration could certainly "point" one tire or another in a different direction when accelerating and giving you that "squirmy" feeling.

For starters, I'd jack up the rear of the car and give everything a good jiggle. Everything. Grab the tire at 12 and 6 and try to rock it. Same thing grabbing it at 3 and 9. Movement in either plane will give you some diagnosis.

Also, grab the front of the trailing arm and try to move it around in the frame pocket. Movement there would mess you up pretty quickly.

Something as silly as loose lug nuts could feel really odd. Not sure how much of that stuff you've checked.

So, go jiggle, and report what jiggles. If you can, post some pictures. I'm sure others could give more constructive thoughts with more information.

Welcome to the forum!!!

 

thanks..i have to look into it thanks for info

 

After you do what Keith said - and if everything checks out - find a shop that has experience aligning these cars and get a 4 wheel alignment. Toe out in the front will make the steering twitchy. Toe out in the rear will make the rear feel loose. 1/8" total toe in (1/16th each side) is all you need.

Put as much positive caster on the front as possible (no caster adjustment in the rear). It will help the car track better. They probably won't be able to get more than +4*.

 

You have a positraction differential; they stick reasonably well. If the rear feels twitchy, you should have the alignment checked.

 

Reminds me of the work order I got back once from a local garage on an old pickup....Make choke rod and fiddle with it.

 

Regarding rear suspension, have someone (or a shop) that knows what they are looking at check the rear suspension. I remember when the trailing arm bushings were bad on my 72, the car would "help me steer" randomly. That was a scary feeling.

Regarding the steering, welcome to C3 Corvette neutral steering. What you are experiencing is supposed to happen. Stop trying to move the steering wheel back and forth. Turn the steering wheel when you want to turn. You will get used to it, and then you will wonder what is wrong with those other cars.

Welcome to the forum, and to C3 ownership.

 

thanks for all the info...im going to bring the car to a specialize shop to look it over and to make sure they see something i miss..I have recieots for car..i know 2 months ago it had new tires, control arm bushings and wheel allignment done..