Alignment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Alignment
Need an alignment, she tracks a wee bit to the left and I need to hold the steering wheel...
I work for a dealership, my service mgr. said he'll have it done here if I pick up the shims...
Should I get front or front and rear, from my limited "googling" I read that I should buy the following:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...=BAN_CMarticle
63-82 UPPER CONTROL ARM ALIGNMENT SHIMS
and;
rear control stainless shim set with the bolts and two new cotter pins...
Thoughts?
Are shops like Firestone (chain) reputable to do alignments on our babies?
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Quincy, MA
'74 Stingray or Sting Ray I forget
I work for a dealership, my service mgr. said he'll have it done here if I pick up the shims...
Should I get front or front and rear, from my limited "googling" I read that I should buy the following:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...=BAN_CMarticle
63-82 UPPER CONTROL ARM ALIGNMENT SHIMS
and;
rear control stainless shim set with the bolts and two new cotter pins...
Thoughts?
Are shops like Firestone (chain) reputable to do alignments on our babies?
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Quincy, MA
'74 Stingray or Sting Ray I forget
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,414
Likes: 1,552
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Alignment
Hi Kmobrien,
The pulling to one side could be the power steeing control valve needs an adjustment.
Most shops will have some extra front control arm shims.
The trailing arm shims can take hours to get loose. Buy them and two new bolts and install them yourself, than any shop can give you a proper 4 wheel alignment.
In 74 its a STINGRAY.
Hope this helps, Pete.
The pulling to one side could be the power steeing control valve needs an adjustment.
Most shops will have some extra front control arm shims.
The trailing arm shims can take hours to get loose. Buy them and two new bolts and install them yourself, than any shop can give you a proper 4 wheel alignment.
In 74 its a STINGRAY.
Hope this helps, Pete.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Don't you have an alignment shop near you? Forget tire stores. Any alignment shop worth it's salt should have shims. The front end on your car is standard GM issue (for the era), nothing special.
Conventional Short/Long Control Arms, spring & shock between the two, bottom ball joint loaded.
If that type of front end confuses your shop, you need to find a different alignment facility.
Conventional Short/Long Control Arms, spring & shock between the two, bottom ball joint loaded.
If that type of front end confuses your shop, you need to find a different alignment facility.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Sounds good, my local race shop recommended a shop, they are a chain and highly recommended, appointment made, hope it goes smoothly...
Kevin
Kevin
Last edited by kmobrien76; Oct 22, 2007 at 03:37 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Your best bet is to take it to a Chevy dealership (if you work for one, all the better). They do them often and know how to do them correctly...especially the rear wheels. Don't take it to a "tire store" or general purpose alignment shop unless you know that the are skilled at working on Corvettes. Most of those kind of shops are in business to find lots of "serious" defects in your car so that they can save you from a serious accident for only $500! Take it to the "source".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Wish I would have noticed this prior to my post.. I'm planning on rebuilding the front end myself, ie., replace tie rod ends, ball joints, etc., then take it to get aligned.. So assuming I do all this, it sounds like the dealer is the place to go?
That said, what can one expect to pay on average for the front end alignment?
That said, what can one expect to pay on average for the front end alignment?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
Alignment in Arlington
Hi, I had my 70 vert front end rebuild done in late 2005 and in early 2006 visited Mirak in Arlington 781-643-8000 ask for Doug in the body shop. They take their work seriously on corvettes. I was very pleased with the alignment. The car tracks straight as an arrow. Let me know if you have further questions.
Body Shop Hours:
7:30am to 6 pm Mon - Friday; closed Saturday
Mirak
1125 MASSACHUSETTS AVE
ARLINGTON, MA 02176
www.mirak.com
Body Shop Hours:
7:30am to 6 pm Mon - Friday; closed Saturday
Mirak
1125 MASSACHUSETTS AVE
ARLINGTON, MA 02176
www.mirak.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
IMO, the dealer is the last place to go. The mechanics are paid on the quantity of work they do and not the quality of work. I'd "ask" around your area. The rear shims for tow on a Corvette need to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. A lot of places don't even do rear tow.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
IMO, the dealer is the last place to go. The mechanics are paid on the quantity of work they do and not the quality of work. I'd "ask" around your area. The rear shims for tow on a Corvette need to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. A lot of places don't even do rear tow.
Find a good experienced independent alignment shop for working on your shark. Ask around; other owners, Corvette specialty shops, etc., and then talk to the person who will do the work. Make sure he/she had aligned C2/C3 Corvettes and knows them well. Front end cost will probably be the prevailing rate for most cars, but the rear might be twice that amount because of the work involved. With a good alignment your shark should drive down the road straight and true, and as an added bonus, it won't pull to either side under braking.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Well, the dealer I talked to today I've known and worked with for years.. After talking about the alignment needs of mine, they said they have worked on more 70's Vettes than new ones. They said they have a good alignment guy and I will not be disappointed. I was quoted $70 + shims if necessary..
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Well, the dealer I talked to today I've known and worked with for years.. After talking about the alignment needs of mine, they said they have worked on more 70's Vettes than new ones. They said they have a good alignment guy and I will not be disappointed. I was quoted $70 + shims if necessary..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Sorry, should have said $79.95 for 4 wheel... They have a sale going on ATM..
BTW, anyone have an opinion on the "SU01B_69-82" front end deluxe rebuild kit for the 1979 Vette?
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
I plan to redo the front end before doing the alignment so there are not hidden surprises.
BTW, anyone have an opinion on the "SU01B_69-82" front end deluxe rebuild kit for the 1979 Vette?
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
I plan to redo the front end before doing the alignment so there are not hidden surprises.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Sorry, should have said $79.95 for 4 wheel... They have a sale going on ATM..
BTW, anyone have an opinion on the "SU01B_69-82" front end deluxe rebuild kit for the 1979 Vette?
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
I plan to redo the front end before doing the alignment so there are not hidden surprises.
BTW, anyone have an opinion on the "SU01B_69-82" front end deluxe rebuild kit for the 1979 Vette?
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
I plan to redo the front end before doing the alignment so there are not hidden surprises.
$80 for 4 wheels is a bargain for guys with older vette experience. But if you have rotted bushings in either the front or rear, they probably won't touch it.
Since you are doing the front, that won't be an issue. BTW, check with volvette on what brand parts are in the kits...ie: moog ball joints, etc.
Your problem with the alignment will come with the rear..worn out bushings and rusted trailing arm pivot bolts.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Sorry, should have said $79.95 for 4 wheel... They have a sale going on ATM..
BTW, anyone have an opinion on the "SU01B_69-82" front end deluxe rebuild kit for the 1979 Vette?
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
I plan to redo the front end before doing the alignment so there are not hidden surprises.
BTW, anyone have an opinion on the "SU01B_69-82" front end deluxe rebuild kit for the 1979 Vette?
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
I plan to redo the front end before doing the alignment so there are not hidden surprises.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
$80 for 4 wheels is a bargain for guys with older vette experience. But if you have rotted bushings in either the front or rear, they probably won't touch it.
Since you are doing the front, that won't be an issue. BTW, check with volvette on what brand parts are in the kits...ie: moog ball joints, etc.
Your problem with the alignment will come with the rear..worn out bushings and rusted trailing arm pivot bolts.
Since you are doing the front, that won't be an issue. BTW, check with volvette on what brand parts are in the kits...ie: moog ball joints, etc.
Your problem with the alignment will come with the rear..worn out bushings and rusted trailing arm pivot bolts.
That is good to know.. I was looking at VBP, but the Volunteer has free shipping and is about $20 cheaper on the kit.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
BTW, anyone have an opinion on the "SU01B_69-82" front end deluxe rebuild kit for the 1979 Vette?
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
I am thinking of getting it from these guys: http://www.volvette.com/Merchant2/me...de=SU01B_69-82
Edit: Though I went with the poly bushing kit instead of rubber.
Last edited by Trae1976; Oct 24, 2007 at 08:06 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
My .02 - get poly bushings. You'll get faster steering response and never have to worry about replacing them again. Rubber will dry rot. #2 - get poly boot covers for your ball joints and tie rod ends. #3-don't buy kits that have "no-name" parts from China
. I wouldn't use anything other than Moog. You shouldn't concern yourself with "saving a few bucks" unless you know you are getting quality parts. Do it right the first time and you're set for many years. Been there, done that.
. I wouldn't use anything other than Moog. You shouldn't concern yourself with "saving a few bucks" unless you know you are getting quality parts. Do it right the first time and you're set for many years. Been there, done that.
