4 wheel alignment procedure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
4 wheel alignment procedure
Guys,
Can you point me in the direction of an alignment procedure? I have rebuilt the rear suspension new trailing arm bushings and new Vbp rear spring, front end is also all new Vbp transverse mount and tubular control arms. So I need to start from scratch. I will take it to a shop but have a ton of other things to do and test so I need to get it drive able again. The to the paint shop. I'm getting excited to get this project done and get some seat time. 72 small block convertible if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Kevin
Can you point me in the direction of an alignment procedure? I have rebuilt the rear suspension new trailing arm bushings and new Vbp rear spring, front end is also all new Vbp transverse mount and tubular control arms. So I need to start from scratch. I will take it to a shop but have a ton of other things to do and test so I need to get it drive able again. The to the paint shop. I'm getting excited to get this project done and get some seat time. 72 small block convertible if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Kevin
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
For a preliminary set-up(good enough to drive to the paint shop) heres what I'd do.
For the rear, assuming you put the trailing arm bushing shims in the same place, set rear camber as close to spec as possible using a angle gauge(harbor freight sells one that's good enough for this type job.). Toe likely wont be perfect but close enough to drive using the old shim packs.
The front will be a bit tougher because you replaced so much stuff but Id re-install the old shim packs in the same places and check the front camber with the same angle gauge. There's a pretty good chance it'll be off, if it is add/remove shims evenly(remove a equal amount front and rear on each arm) till you get as close as possible. Finally, set toe using a a tape measure and a buddy or with a home made toe bar. Caster may be off and it may wander a bit but it'll be close enough.
Finally, when the car is ready, take it to a alignment shop and get a real 4-wheel alignment(including rear toe if needed).
For the rear, assuming you put the trailing arm bushing shims in the same place, set rear camber as close to spec as possible using a angle gauge(harbor freight sells one that's good enough for this type job.). Toe likely wont be perfect but close enough to drive using the old shim packs.
The front will be a bit tougher because you replaced so much stuff but Id re-install the old shim packs in the same places and check the front camber with the same angle gauge. There's a pretty good chance it'll be off, if it is add/remove shims evenly(remove a equal amount front and rear on each arm) till you get as close as possible. Finally, set toe using a a tape measure and a buddy or with a home made toe bar. Caster may be off and it may wander a bit but it'll be close enough.
Finally, when the car is ready, take it to a alignment shop and get a real 4-wheel alignment(including rear toe if needed).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 32
From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
I used 4 jackstands, mason's line, a level and a tape measure to do mine. Put a stand at each corner to hold the line next to the sidewalls with weight on the tires to check the toe and the level to check camber. That will get you to the shop anyway.
Mine was pretty close when the guy put it on the machine.
Oh yeah, roll the car back and forth after adjustments to let everything relax, then measure again.
Mine was pretty close when the guy put it on the machine.
Oh yeah, roll the car back and forth after adjustments to let everything relax, then measure again.
Last edited by Mick71; Jan 18, 2015 at 09:18 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Guys,
Can you point me in the direction of an alignment procedure? I have rebuilt the rear suspension new trailing arm bushings and new Vbp rear spring, front end is also all new Vbp transverse mount and tubular control arms. So I need to start from scratch. I will take it to a shop but have a ton of other things to do and test so I need to get it drive able again. The to the paint shop. I'm getting excited to get this project done and get some seat time. 72 small block convertible if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Kevin
Can you point me in the direction of an alignment procedure? I have rebuilt the rear suspension new trailing arm bushings and new Vbp rear spring, front end is also all new Vbp transverse mount and tubular control arms. So I need to start from scratch. I will take it to a shop but have a ton of other things to do and test so I need to get it drive able again. The to the paint shop. I'm getting excited to get this project done and get some seat time. 72 small block convertible if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Kevin
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-opinion.html
Strings will get you close enough to drive the car to a shop. Also check out youtube for what others have done with strings etc.
I gave up on strings, too long to setup and not very easy to get the same measurements time and time again. I also purchased a camber / caster gauge to make those adjustments possible without have a perfectly level ground to work on. Also for skid plates under the tires, you can use vinyl tiles with grease between.
Setup front caster, front camber , front toe
Then setup rear camber, setup rear toe. When doing the rear toe also try to get a proper thrust angle setup, meaning the rear tires point the same as the front tires.
