No one will do alignment
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Wisconsin
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No one will do alignment
I live in a small town in north west Wisconsin and last year I rebuilt my rear end. Finding somewhere local to do an alignment on my front end is easy, I'm also confident at tackling it myself but the rear, no way! Can't find anywhere in a 100 mile radius that would touch the rear and the shops that said they would all made the same statement, " sure we can do a 4 wheel alignment, easy on a 68 Corvette because the rears just like the ones in old muscle cars, they're solid!"!..... Maybe I can rope my father into helping me. Is it really that hard? Can close enough be good enough?
Last edited by Mdbirk; May 15, 2023 at 10:20 AM.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Well...it's like this...there are times when you can do the job BETTER than a modern alignment shop.
Rookie me learned this from Forum members...it took a day just to understand what I was doing with a "level spot" on the garage floor/4 jackstands/50 feet of carpenter's colored string/ a 12" machinist caliper from Harbor Freight/a heavy duty tape measure/ and half a day.
It worked great for me once I understood the process...the tires show no wear after 5,000 miles/on the interstate hwy I can let go of the steering wheel (keep both hands just close enough to it just in case) and it will go straight, rather than drift or dart to the left or right. I also adjusted the Caster to make it "hold the road better".
Check the Table of Contents on page 1 of my thread for the section with pictures of me doing the String Alignment. Also ask questions if you decide to try it.
Other Forum members can add advice since rookie-me has a short memory.
EDIT: AFTER I REMOVED THE WHEELS I SHOULD HAVE PLACED THE ROTORS ON HEAVY DUTY JACK STANDS.
ALSO PUT 4 JACKSTANDS UNDER THE 4 FRAME JACK-POINTS FOR SAFETY.
Rookie me learned this from Forum members...it took a day just to understand what I was doing with a "level spot" on the garage floor/4 jackstands/50 feet of carpenter's colored string/ a 12" machinist caliper from Harbor Freight/a heavy duty tape measure/ and half a day.
It worked great for me once I understood the process...the tires show no wear after 5,000 miles/on the interstate hwy I can let go of the steering wheel (keep both hands just close enough to it just in case) and it will go straight, rather than drift or dart to the left or right. I also adjusted the Caster to make it "hold the road better".
Check the Table of Contents on page 1 of my thread for the section with pictures of me doing the String Alignment. Also ask questions if you decide to try it.
Other Forum members can add advice since rookie-me has a short memory.
EDIT: AFTER I REMOVED THE WHEELS I SHOULD HAVE PLACED THE ROTORS ON HEAVY DUTY JACK STANDS.
ALSO PUT 4 JACKSTANDS UNDER THE 4 FRAME JACK-POINTS FOR SAFETY.
Last edited by doorgunner; May 14, 2023 at 08:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
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From: Indiana
See post 46 on
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uestion-3.html
no clue what they are saying 68.
you will need to buy rear shims as virtually no one will have them. Find a chain with modern equipment and a master mechanic who has a clue, or diy from this form but i didn’t have luck.
the pain will be in the bushing bolt and or rust..
are your rear shims ok 😝
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uestion-3.html
no clue what they are saying 68.
you will need to buy rear shims as virtually no one will have them. Find a chain with modern equipment and a master mechanic who has a clue, or diy from this form but i didn’t have luck.
the pain will be in the bushing bolt and or rust..
are your rear shims ok 😝
Last edited by interpon; May 15, 2023 at 10:21 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 1,825
From: Apple Valley, MN
I live in a small town in north east Wisconsin and last year I rebuilt my rear end. Finding somewhere local to do an alignment on my front end is easy, I'm also confident at tackling it myself but the rear, no way! Can't find anywhere in a 100 mile radius that would touch the rear and the shops that said they would all made the same statement, " sure we can do a 4 wheel alignment, easy on a 68 Corvette because the rears just like the ones in old muscle cars, they're solid!"!..... Maybe I can rope my father into helping me. Is it really that hard? Can close enough be good enough?
That said, the hardest part of doing the alignment is getting the trailing arm to frame bolts loose and the shims removed and the pockets cleaned out to allow the arms to be moved laterally to adjust toe. The second hardest part is getting camber adjustment eccentrics loosened to allow them to turn. The third hardest part is to get your head wrapped around the idea that you are not just “aligning” the rears. You need to understand the concert of thrust angle and how that factors into doing a 4-wheel alignment.
There are many posts on the forum on how to do the job. If you have the mechanical ability and the time, you are far better off doing the job yourself. If a shop ultimately agrees take it on, you could be in for a lot of nasty surprises as 50+ year old rusted parts will fight you every way.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I'd start with just having them put it on the machine and measure them to see where it's at.
Take the printout they give you and see what's what. Since you say you rebuilt the rear but didn't say what all you did it's hard to guess but lets say everything was apart so the trailing arm bolts are bonded on the molecular level and the adjustment cams on the lower struts might actually turn as well.
If you need to adjust the toe or thrust for the rear you'll need to buy a rear shim pack (depending on your car they would have originally been with the holes but that needed the TA bolt to be pulled to adjust shims, they moved to slotted so it needed only be loosened, that also means the frame had a small hole and long cotter pin to hold them in)
You can change toe by moving shims around. I found the toe changed by about 1/2 the thickness of the shim.
For me, a 1/32" shim moved from one side of one arm to the other changes my thrust readings at the front spindle by about .335 difference from one side to the other or about .167" from the centerline
M
Take the printout they give you and see what's what. Since you say you rebuilt the rear but didn't say what all you did it's hard to guess but lets say everything was apart so the trailing arm bolts are bonded on the molecular level and the adjustment cams on the lower struts might actually turn as well.
If you need to adjust the toe or thrust for the rear you'll need to buy a rear shim pack (depending on your car they would have originally been with the holes but that needed the TA bolt to be pulled to adjust shims, they moved to slotted so it needed only be loosened, that also means the frame had a small hole and long cotter pin to hold them in)
You can change toe by moving shims around. I found the toe changed by about 1/2 the thickness of the shim.
For me, a 1/32" shim moved from one side of one arm to the other changes my thrust readings at the front spindle by about .335 difference from one side to the other or about .167" from the centerline
M
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
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From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'd start with just having them put it on the machine and measure them to see where it's at.
Take the printout they give you and see what's what. Since you say you rebuilt the rear but didn't say what all you did it's hard to guess but lets say everything was apart so the trailing arm bolts are bonded on the molecular level and the adjustment cams on the lower struts might actually turn as well.
If you need to adjust the toe or thrust for the rear you'll need to buy a rear shim pack (depending on your car they would have originally been with the holes but that needed the TA bolt to be pulled to adjust shims, they moved to slotted so it needed only be loosened, that also means the frame had a small hole and long cotter pin to hold them in)
You can change toe by moving shims around. I found the toe changed by about 1/2 the thickness of the shim.
For me, a 1/32" shim moved from one side of one arm to the other changes my thrust readings at the front spindle by about .335 difference from one side to the other or about .167" from the centerline
M
Take the printout they give you and see what's what. Since you say you rebuilt the rear but didn't say what all you did it's hard to guess but lets say everything was apart so the trailing arm bolts are bonded on the molecular level and the adjustment cams on the lower struts might actually turn as well.
If you need to adjust the toe or thrust for the rear you'll need to buy a rear shim pack (depending on your car they would have originally been with the holes but that needed the TA bolt to be pulled to adjust shims, they moved to slotted so it needed only be loosened, that also means the frame had a small hole and long cotter pin to hold them in)
You can change toe by moving shims around. I found the toe changed by about 1/2 the thickness of the shim.
For me, a 1/32" shim moved from one side of one arm to the other changes my thrust readings at the front spindle by about .335 difference from one side to the other or about .167" from the centerline
M
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Toe and thrust are probably going to be fine/ok/close enough. If you changed the height then the camber will be affected and that's simple to check and change
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ne-method.html
Again, let them do the front and just measure the rear
M
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ne-method.html
Again, let them do the front and just measure the rear
M
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 699
As said above when I had my 71 aligned I brought the trailing arm shims to the shop. The local shop that I used does many classic cars but not many C3 Corvettes. So ahead of time we confirmed what was needed. My 71 had all new rear assembly parts. So no worries about bolts not turning. I would check all bolts. Also maybe a local car club can recommend a local shop?
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Wisconsin
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As said above when I had my 71 aligned I brought the trailing arm shims to the shop. The local shop that I used does many classic cars but not many C3 Corvettes. So ahead of time we confirmed what was needed. My 71 had all new rear assembly parts. So no worries about bolts not turning. I would check all bolts. Also maybe a local car club can recommend a local shop?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Wisconsin
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Yep everything is in pretty good shape. Car was fully restored by my father in 2002, he drove it hard but sparingly until 2012 when he blew the tranny and rear, car sat until last summer when he gave it to me.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Toe and thrust are probably going to be fine/ok/close enough. If you changed the height then the camber will be affected and that's simple to check and change
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ne-method.html
Again, let them do the front and just measure the rear
M
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ne-method.html
Again, let them do the front and just measure the rear
M
EDITED MY THREAD:
AFTER I REMOVED THE 4 WHEELS I SHOULD HAVE PLACED THE ROTORS ON HEAVY DUTY JACK STANDS.
ALSO PUT 4 JACKSTANDS UNDER THE 4 FRAME JACK-POINTS FOR SAFETY. (*DO NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE ROTORS ARE SITTING ON JACK STANDS!!!!*)
IF YOU let an alignment shop align the front suspension you can leave the front wheels on the car/sitting on the concrete while you do the String Alignment on the rear suspension.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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Do it yourself, watch you tube videos. Align it to the frame behind the front wheels. Make sure you use a flaslight on the frame so you are on a flat spot. You dont need to buy shims, just shuffle the shims around in the pack that is there. If you do buy shims buy 69 or later shims, the 68 shims have a hole not a slot so you have to pull the bolt to make adjustments. Just replace them all. You will have to drill the frame like the 69s are so you can put in the cotter pin or use saftey wire so they dont fall out.
The rear is the easiest alignment to do.
The rear is the easiest alignment to do.
Race Director
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Back when I lived in Northern Wisconsin. I belonged to a club called "Headwaters Corvette club".
I used to live in Minocqua. Members were from all around that area. I believe that they are still going.
Perhaps Google Headwaters Corvette club. Contact them. And find out who they are using. The.guy who aligned mine 20 years ago in Minocqua was a true Corvette enthusiast, but has gone out of business years ago.
I used to live in Minocqua. Members were from all around that area. I believe that they are still going.
Perhaps Google Headwaters Corvette club. Contact them. And find out who they are using. The.guy who aligned mine 20 years ago in Minocqua was a true Corvette enthusiast, but has gone out of business years ago.
Race Director
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Have you tried Accurate Alignment in Appleton WI?
They still have a couple of old school tech working for them. The problem you have to make a appointment and they might take a week or so for the right guy has time to do your alignment
Also look up Zero to Sixty in Sherwood WI
These guys set up alot of Corvette track cars for Elkart lake
They still have a couple of old school tech working for them. The problem you have to make a appointment and they might take a week or so for the right guy has time to do your alignment
Also look up Zero to Sixty in Sherwood WI
These guys set up alot of Corvette track cars for Elkart lake
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
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From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Back when I lived in Northern Wisconsin. I belonged to a club called "Headwaters Corvette club".
I used to live in Minocqua. Members were from all around that area. I believe that they are still going.
Perhaps Google Headwaters Corvette club. Contact them. And find out who they are using. The.guy who aligned mine 20 years ago in Minocqua was a true Corvette enthusiast, but has gone out of business years ago.
I used to live in Minocqua. Members were from all around that area. I believe that they are still going.
Perhaps Google Headwaters Corvette club. Contact them. And find out who they are using. The.guy who aligned mine 20 years ago in Minocqua was a true Corvette enthusiast, but has gone out of business years ago.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 822
From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Have you tried Accurate Alignment in Appleton WI?
They still have a couple of old school tech working for them. The problem you have to make a appointment and they might take a week or so for the right guy has time to do your alignment
Also look up Zero to Sixty in Sherwood WI
These guys set up alot of Corvette track cars for Elkart lake
They still have a couple of old school tech working for them. The problem you have to make a appointment and they might take a week or so for the right guy has time to do your alignment
Also look up Zero to Sixty in Sherwood WI
These guys set up alot of Corvette track cars for Elkart lake
Race Director
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I'm afraid Appleton's a little too far east for me. It's about 4 1/2 hours away.... closest big place to me is superior WI, about an hour away. I called up there and most everyone said no or didn't know what they were talking about. Think I'll have my front done and take the read out home and see how off my rear is and tackle it myself
