What to do !!!!!!
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Sweetwater TN
What to do !!!!!!
Back a few weeks ago I talked about having the bushings put in my 79. Come to find out this guy only put the front bottom A-frame bushings in. The guy that did it said the back bushings were OK...no need to replace them.....So I take it to have a 4 wheel alignment done and the guy there says he can't do it because the back bushings are too bad and instead just does a front alignment....How can I be sure who is telling me the truth? :crazy: The car still feels like it wants to swap ends with me :confused:
I know I have made several posts about my steering problems but nothing YET seems to help much.....just letting off a little steam I guess :boxing
I hope to get this problem taken care of so I can do some major crusing this spring. :yesnod:
Thanks for listening :cry
Te®esa :seeya
I know I have made several posts about my steering problems but nothing YET seems to help much.....just letting off a little steam I guess :boxing
I hope to get this problem taken care of so I can do some major crusing this spring. :yesnod:
Thanks for listening :cry
Te®esa :seeya
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: What to do !!!!!! (Teresa)
Well the alignment guy, asumming he knows Vettes, is who I'd trust!
And if the mechanic wants to argue then I guess it's time to find another Mechanic! :rolleyes:
And if the mechanic wants to argue then I guess it's time to find another Mechanic! :rolleyes:
Le Mans Master
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: What to do !!!!!! (Teresa)
I can sympathize with you, I know the feeling of driving a car with flopping trailing arms. The reason the guy didn't replace the rear bushings is that he probably didn't want to do what was required to replace them. The shims and the trailing arm bolt is probably a fused mess of rust and impossible to get off by normal means. It will probably require that the shims be sawed out with a reciprical saw.
It is a nasty job, not really all that hard just it will take a while, and you'll break a lot of saw blades. The the trailing arms can be removed and new bushings installed. It can be quite expensive if done by a shop, that's why so many people do it themselves.
See if you can find someone in your area that specialises in Corvette repair, perhaps you'll get lucky and the T/As won't be in too bad of shape.
It is a nasty job, not really all that hard just it will take a while, and you'll break a lot of saw blades. The the trailing arms can be removed and new bushings installed. It can be quite expensive if done by a shop, that's why so many people do it themselves.
See if you can find someone in your area that specialises in Corvette repair, perhaps you'll get lucky and the T/As won't be in too bad of shape.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Re: What to do !!!!!! (Teresa)
I think we are back to the back shims saga that has been discussed in several threads. Most alignment shops will not touch those trailing arm shims. Contact a local Corvette Club and they will have members who know what you need or can refer you to a shop that knows what they are doing.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: What to do !!!!!! (Teresa)
Teresa, I was in the same boat you are in. When driving my car it felt like the rear was out of control. Come to find out when taking my rear trailing arms off to have them rebuilt the bushings were gone!!! :cuss It sounds like the person doing the work for you didn't want to go through all the work taking the trailing arms off and replacing the bushings. Also, if you have these bushings taking care of have someone check your strut rod bushings. If these are bad the alignment shop will have a hard time aligning the rear and sometimes they will bend the strut to make up the difference of a bad bushing. Hope this helps some, because I know how you feel :mad
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Elyria Ohio
Re: What to do !!!!!! (Teresa)
Teresa
I agree with everyone else, The problem most likely is in the TA bushings. Most shops will quote about $2000.00 to do anything back there because it can be a nightmare. I am replacing a set of trailing arms this week on my buddy`s 71, He had gotten a quote from a respected local vette shop He told him $2400.00. I told him 2 cases of beer. I work pretty cheaply on vettes cause I love them, putting a 383 in another freinds C4right now, should have it back on the road tomorrow night. Remember when you start getting quotes to fix your car the cheapest is usually the guy that will screw you. Always get references for major work like this.
Bob
I agree with everyone else, The problem most likely is in the TA bushings. Most shops will quote about $2000.00 to do anything back there because it can be a nightmare. I am replacing a set of trailing arms this week on my buddy`s 71, He had gotten a quote from a respected local vette shop He told him $2400.00. I told him 2 cases of beer. I work pretty cheaply on vettes cause I love them, putting a 383 in another freinds C4right now, should have it back on the road tomorrow night. Remember when you start getting quotes to fix your car the cheapest is usually the guy that will screw you. Always get references for major work like this.
Bob
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: What to do !!!!!! (Teresa)
Teresa
It is also possible that the alignment shop did not want to be bothered w/ the rear. The rear alignment is critical on a Vette, out of alignment can cause severe handling problems. If there is no Vette shop in your area, try NTB for 4 wh. alignment.
It is also possible that the alignment shop did not want to be bothered w/ the rear. The rear alignment is critical on a Vette, out of alignment can cause severe handling problems. If there is no Vette shop in your area, try NTB for 4 wh. alignment.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: What to do !!!!!! (76 Red)
If I'm reading your post correctly, the guy replaced only the 2 front lower A Frame bushings, and not the 2 rear FRONT A frame bushings. Can't figure that one out, as I assume you would have to remove the A frame to do it. Why not do both at the same time? As others have said, removing the rear T arms CAN BE are real pain. Most shops will quote "time and materials", because you can spend hours...days....cutting the bolts and old shims out. Join your local Corvette club. Have some "buds" come over to give you a hand removing them yourself. Chuck
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Sugar Land Texas
Re: What to do !!!!!! (Teresa)
Not much more to add, but encouragement. I agree with the rest, in that you should see if any of your friends, with C-3 Vettes would like to help you out. I replaced mine, on my 75, about 10 years ago, without knowing how hard it was. And, it wound up being not too terribly hard. I soaked the bolts and nuts with Liquid Wrench for a couple of days, then shocked them with a 5lb. hammer before I attempted to unbolt. I was able to reuse my bolts and shims. I might have been lucky, but, sounds like it's time for you to have some luck. Unless there are new types of bushings I don't know about, you will need a shop to remove the old bushings and install the new ones. No big deal, but it's something you will need to pay for. I would also take the opportunity to have the shop check out your spindle bearings and, if good, grease them for sure, before you reconnect the half shafts. I can't believe anyone would put a $2K price on replacing the bushings. That's just a rip off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: What to do !!!!!! (Chuck Gongloff)
Actually, you don't have to remove the a-arm to change the front bushings. I know because when I went in for my first alignment with the vette, they changed them. They just did the fronts. I know they SHOULD be removed to press the bushings on and off so nothing gets bent. But the work was done before I knew about it. Amazingly, the a-arms were not bent as I just put new ones in myself and all was good.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Sweetwater TN
Re: What to do !!!!!! (76 Red)
Bob,
Now let me see if I have this right----$2000.oo or 2 cases of beer.
Do I need to deliever or do you make house calls? :cheers:
I've only done mechanical work--never suspension work on my Vette....guess I better get my book out and get ready to get dirty....can't afford to pay those prices and I really don't trust any one around here any more (if you know what I mean) :mad
Any helpful bits of info that will make my job easier will be greatly appreciated :yesnod:
Thanks,,,,Te®esa :chevy
Now let me see if I have this right----$2000.oo or 2 cases of beer.
Do I need to deliever or do you make house calls? :cheers:
I've only done mechanical work--never suspension work on my Vette....guess I better get my book out and get ready to get dirty....can't afford to pay those prices and I really don't trust any one around here any more (if you know what I mean) :mad
Any helpful bits of info that will make my job easier will be greatly appreciated :yesnod:
Thanks,,,,Te®esa :chevy
