My alignment disaster
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 347
From: No Where USA
Yes and what the hell did they hit to knock the motor off the mounts and how fast were they pulling it onto the rack. It takes alot to rip a motor off the mounts. How does the oil pan look? And then they blame you?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
The front suspension is like any other older rear wheel drive car or truck. Easy to understand for a mechanic/shop.
The REAR is whats tricky and takes some time. Read up how to do it, and bring your own shims for the rear to the shop.
The REAR is whats tricky and takes some time. Read up how to do it, and bring your own shims for the rear to the shop.
Last edited by mikem350; Nov 5, 2015 at 03:54 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Do you drive it? If not (or if you just trailer it around), it doesn't need to be aligned. If you DO drive it, chances are it was aligned properly before you bought it.
An alignment isn't something you need to do on a regular basis. It's something you need to do when the alignment could have changed (for some known reason): accident, mechanical problem with the suspension, replacement of worn/old parts, hit a MONSTER chuck-hole, etc.
An alignment isn't something you need to do on a regular basis. It's something you need to do when the alignment could have changed (for some known reason): accident, mechanical problem with the suspension, replacement of worn/old parts, hit a MONSTER chuck-hole, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Unfortunately, there are more butchers than bakers, hammer mechanics, and complete morons at these places. How did they break his car, they carelessly beat the crap of it on the street most likely. It is so hard to find a quality and competent shop it is scary. I just did a job by me and there is a auto export place that is next door that works on all Euro stuff. During lunch they take the customers cars out and do burnouts down the street. I never knew that a 911 could lay rubber like that.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,153
Likes: 9,279
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Westford. Im doing my own work but Im not sure about making sure the brakes are balanced and if I need an alignment I want someone I can trust too.
The brakes seem stiff but function okay
The brakes seem stiff but function okay
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 61
Corvette Connection in Middleton MA you're not that far away probably about a 40 minute drive. I havent brought my car there yet but I've talked to the owner Ron and I know people who have recommended them. When my car is running and driving i plan on having them do the alignment.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
I have videoed a step by step approach to doing your own alignment using nothing more than a level, some string, tapemeasure, jackstands, and a spindle level tool ($130).
I just need some time to do the editing and get it on youtube.....
Simple to do and it drives straight as an arrow now.
I just need some time to do the editing and get it on youtube.....
Simple to do and it drives straight as an arrow now.
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Just went thru something similar last week on a 65 Mustang.
First the Goon with a wrench mashed the brake pedal so hard it bent the booster input rod. Said it was due to error in my installation
really WTF??
Then on the nice new, powder coated tie rod adjusters. you know the ones with flats cut in for a 7/8 wrench. The goon uses channel lock pliers and mars the living F^(k out of them.
Oh I didn't mention all parts were new and you could turn the adjusters by hand.
I should have beaten him with the old centerlink
First the Goon with a wrench mashed the brake pedal so hard it bent the booster input rod. Said it was due to error in my installation
really WTF??Then on the nice new, powder coated tie rod adjusters. you know the ones with flats cut in for a 7/8 wrench. The goon uses channel lock pliers and mars the living F^(k out of them.
Oh I didn't mention all parts were new and you could turn the adjusters by hand.
I should have beaten him with the old centerlink
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,153
Likes: 9,279
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Just went thru something similar last week on a 65 Mustang.
First the Goon with a wrench mashed the brake pedal so hard it bent the booster input rod. Said it was due to error in my installation really WTF??
Then on the nice new, powder coated tie rod adjusters. you know the ones with flats cut in for a 7/8 wrench. The goon uses channel lock pliers and mars the living F^(k out of them.
Oh I didn't mention all parts were new and you could turn the adjusters by hand.
I should have beaten him with the old centerlink
First the Goon with a wrench mashed the brake pedal so hard it bent the booster input rod. Said it was due to error in my installation
really WTF??Then on the nice new, powder coated tie rod adjusters. you know the ones with flats cut in for a 7/8 wrench. The goon uses channel lock pliers and mars the living F^(k out of them.
Oh I didn't mention all parts were new and you could turn the adjusters by hand.
I should have beaten him with the old centerlink
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
All you need to do is to find a Corvette car club near you. Then, ask any member where members of the club take their cars for alignments. There is usually one or two places that get recommended.
Just taking a vintage Corvette (or ANY vintage car, for that matter) to an alignment place you find in the phone book...or one you pass on the street...is a crapshoot. It's much better to ASK someone who would know the answer to your question.
Just taking a vintage Corvette (or ANY vintage car, for that matter) to an alignment place you find in the phone book...or one you pass on the street...is a crapshoot. It's much better to ASK someone who would know the answer to your question.
You can feel the difference in the way the car handles now.
I agree, you can do it yourself. Unfortunately, the amount of time I have to donate to the car is limited. So for me, right now, it is easier to have Mike do it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
bab mechanics
Unfortunately, there are more butchers than bakers, hammer mechanics, and complete morons at these places. How did they break his car, they carelessly beat the crap of it on the street most likely. It is so hard to find a quality and competent shop it is scary. I just did a job by me and there is a auto export place that is next door that works on all Euro stuff. During lunch they take the customers cars out and do burnouts down the street. I never knew that a 911 could lay rubber like that.
It's tough to find a good shop to work on unusual cars. I found out the hard way that Mazda dealer mechanics know almost nothing about servicing the 3rd gen RX-7 with its complex control system for the sequential turbos. Mazda stopped factory-sponsored training almost before the first cars left the boat in CA. So you paid the dealer mechanic to learn on your car. Same way on older Corvettes, unless you find some old guy that is still working. Most people on this forum know as much as the average Chevy mechanic when working on old Vettes. RA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Wow that a nightmare . Good honest mechanics are difficult to find. Sounds like you live in a town of criminals
I'm having trouble processing how someone could be in business and treat you this way
But I wouldn't have put up,with the guy who broke my motor mounts.
If I Didn't bust his teeth out .....sounds like what he needed.
I just called my lawyer ......and make his life miserable.
He would have fixed it all and been damn glade he did.
Where in gods name do you live ? Where people destroy your car and then blame you , and tell you to get out of their shop.
I'm having trouble processing how someone could be in business and treat you this way
But I wouldn't have put up,with the guy who broke my motor mounts.
If I Didn't bust his teeth out .....sounds like what he needed.
I just called my lawyer ......and make his life miserable.
He would have fixed it all and been damn glade he did.
Where in gods name do you live ? Where people destroy your car and then blame you , and tell you to get out of their shop.
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Nov 9, 2015 at 07:19 PM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,153
Likes: 9,279
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Wow that a nightmare . Good honest mechanics are difficult to find. Sounds like you live in a town of criminals
I'm having trouble processing how someone could be in business and treat you this way
But I wouldn't have put up,with the guy who broke my motor mounts.
If I Didn't bust his teeth out .....sounds like what he needed.
I just called my lawyer ......and make his life miserable.
He would have fixed it all and been damn glade he did.
Where in gods name do you live ? Where people destroy your car and then blame you , and tell you to get out of their shop.
I'm having trouble processing how someone could be in business and treat you this way
But I wouldn't have put up,with the guy who broke my motor mounts.
If I Didn't bust his teeth out .....sounds like what he needed.
I just called my lawyer ......and make his life miserable.
He would have fixed it all and been damn glade he did.
Where in gods name do you live ? Where people destroy your car and then blame you , and tell you to get out of their shop.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
I lot of guys asked why I didn’t make the first guy fix the car. Simple, I didn’t trust him to fix it properly. If anyone here tracks a car, you know what happens when something cuts loose a speed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I work at a dealer and we normally get paid 1 hour flat rate to do an alignment. No problem on a c5-c7, wicked easy with all the quick cam adjustments.
When I aligned my '81 it took me 4 hours to get everything perfect front and rear, and this was with no frozen nuts or bolts since I just had everything apart. I also had my A'C compressor removed because I knew it would be near impossible to get to the right side shims easily with it installed. So If a C3 came into the shop for one, I would definitely quote a few hours labor to start.
EDIT: and one more thing, If the shop wrecks your car driving it, they are fully responsible for all repairs.
When I aligned my '81 it took me 4 hours to get everything perfect front and rear, and this was with no frozen nuts or bolts since I just had everything apart. I also had my A'C compressor removed because I knew it would be near impossible to get to the right side shims easily with it installed. So If a C3 came into the shop for one, I would definitely quote a few hours labor to start.
EDIT: and one more thing, If the shop wrecks your car driving it, they are fully responsible for all repairs.
Last edited by qwank; Nov 17, 2015 at 09:23 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
I live on Long Island, Suffolk County. That is why I posted. I thought a few guys on this site may be looking for a good alignment and I wanted to save them from my nightmare. Mike has been great. Driving the car is back to being a pleasure. Amazing how well these cars handle when aligned properly.
I lot of guys asked why I didn’t make the first guy fix the car. Simple, I didn’t trust him to fix it properly. If anyone here tracks a car, you know what happens when something cuts loose a speed.
I lot of guys asked why I didn’t make the first guy fix the car. Simple, I didn’t trust him to fix it properly. If anyone here tracks a car, you know what happens when something cuts loose a speed.
Jim
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,025
From: New Braunfels Texas
I used a shop in Bellmore next to the LIRR station. Place looks like a hole in the wall, but he did a great job on the alignment when I finished the rebuild a few years ago. Took his time to make sure everything was set up right the first time. Wasn't cheap, but it took several hours and was done right the first time.
Jim
Jim
You might get in touch with him and he may be able to point you in the right direction.....
I installed his spray booth back in 2003 if he is still there.....
At that time I worked out of Amityville.
Jebby
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 136
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
What about Chevy dealers? Anybody have good experience with them? Just asking. I'm going to need to have my 75 aligned sooner or later. 