A novice here looking for a little education.

My situation...I'm moving the tie rod end from the forward fast ratio hole on the steering arm back to the rear standard ratio hole. My car has manual steering and the previous owner had set the car up using the fast hole. The car is just too difficult to turn with this set up so I'm moving it back. I understand I will need an alignment after I do this. Also, I'm going to be putting on 17" rims with new tires. Considering this info...

Do corvettes need a 2 or 4 wheel alingment?
Would I necessarily need the 4 wheel alingment or can shops do the front and check the rear?
Should I wait until the new rims/tires are on the car to do the alingment or does it make a difference if I do it before with the old 15" stock rims?
Is this a difficult/expensive job for a shop to do on a corvette? (The suspension has been redone so I'm not sure if that would make their job easier)

Appreciat any info.

 

yes you will need front and rear checked to make sure all is good. Rear alignment on a Vette is a critical deal and will make a huge difference in how it drives.

BUT...you need to find someone who knows how to do an old Vette and likes them enough to mess with it. The front end part is all stock Chevy stuff...no big deal. The rear is easy to set camber on, especially if you have adjustable strut rods instead of the stock type. They will work too...just easier on the aftermarket style. Toe-in on the rear end is the tricky part. It requires shims that they won't have unless they deal with Vette's all the time. Most folks buy a package or two of them to take with them just in case. Plus it's a PITA to change them....but it's not too bad. Pretty easy on a car that has recently had everything replaced.

Things to check are to make sure that rear bearings are tight and no excessive play and that there are not worn out inner stub shafts allowing the halfshafts etc to move in and out. Movement back there will screw up whatever alignment you get done.

I would wait until you get the new tires and wheels. Changes like that will allow you to change the settings to take advantage of the better grip. Stock settings will be leaving a lot on the table...you're making drastic changes there.


Spemd the time to find someone who will do it right and not just defer to "it's within specs"....you want it to drive right when it's done!


JIM

 

yep Will make a big difference and on a vette dialing in both ends will shock you with how much better it will drive

 

Where would I find alignment spec suggestions that are not "stock" so I can take advantage of upgraded tires/suspension?

 

I know nothing about this, but I do know this is posted in FAQ

http://www.stingray.nu/tips/alignment.htm

Might help you, might not, also if you look at the other topics, there are suspension tips.

opps forgot the site

http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

 

just what I'm looking for

 

IMO, the late C3 alignment specs should be just fine for just about anything.

 

I agree that you will need all four aligned. The rear will take shims and you have to find a shop that will do it. You can buy the shims from most corvette catalogs and take them with you. Most will charge you buy the hour to do this adjustment.

Most shops will set the alignment to factory specs. If you want something different, you will have to provide them with the specs, and they probably won't warranty the work.

As far as wheels and tires, you don't need to have the new wheels and tires on. The don't affect the alignment at all. The only thing a wheel does is allow you to hook up to something that will give you a measurement on the suspension. The only difference between using old wheels and new wheels is that if you use new wheels, you take the chance of the new wheels getting scratched.

 

I have a small service center in Rochester, Mn. and I just did my alignment over the weekend. I recommend leaving the old wheels on, having rear shims with you, and installing the rear adjustable camber rods. These points will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Jerry
p.s. we installed the VBP front monoleaf spring and lower control arm kit. GREAT investment!! (after you grind a little off the tabs and get your steering radius back )

 

I haven't done it, but here's a site to tell you how to do rear alignment yourself.

http://www.fastcorvette.com/AlignmentSchool.htm