Alignment shop in NJ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Manahawkin NJ
Alignment shop in NJ?
I tried to make an appointment to get my 74 aligned at a local shop and was told they would try but could not guarantee a good job because the car is old and could not quote a price due to the fact that it might take them a long time.
I can't have confidence in anyone that does not have confidence in themselves.
Anyone have a good experience with any shops in NJ?
I can do it myself if I had a good quality caster/camber gauge. Anyone in the South Jersey area want to trade the use of their gauge for really good BBQ?
Tom
I can't have confidence in anyone that does not have confidence in themselves.
Anyone have a good experience with any shops in NJ?
I can do it myself if I had a good quality caster/camber gauge. Anyone in the South Jersey area want to trade the use of their gauge for really good BBQ?
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,425
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Alignment.
Hi Tom and welcome to the forum.
The front is not a problem since parts can be purchased locally, it's in the rear that you have to go to a Corvette supplier to get parts.
The shims on an old vette rust into a lump so you might want to change them and the bolt yourself.
Also the front trailing arm bushing should be changed if it is original.
Strut rod bushings should be checked and replaced if original. These can take a while to remove if the shock mount is rusted in place.
With all those parts replaced it takes very little time to set the rear toe and camber.
Regards,
Pete.
The front is not a problem since parts can be purchased locally, it's in the rear that you have to go to a Corvette supplier to get parts.
The shims on an old vette rust into a lump so you might want to change them and the bolt yourself.
Also the front trailing arm bushing should be changed if it is original.
Strut rod bushings should be checked and replaced if original. These can take a while to remove if the shock mount is rusted in place.
With all those parts replaced it takes very little time to set the rear toe and camber.
Regards,
Pete.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Manahawkin NJ
Pete.
I replaced everything in the front, New Energy Suspension bushings, ball joints,tie rods, idler arm, and 460lbs VBP springs, valve and cylinder. I rebuilt the steering box and now waiting on a rag joint,
I also rebuilt the trailing arms with new Timkin bearings that I painstakingly set at .002 play on both sides. New front urathane buchings and ss shims. New VBP camber adjusters, new u-joints and crossmember bushings, and new spring. The rear has new clutch plates, All the rear parts are ready to be installed on the car. As soon as I get the rear suspension in place I want to have it aligned to take advantage of the new parts.
I want to find someone who will take as much effort to align as I have in rebuilding it. I would like to do it myself so I know that it did not get the "Close enough is good enough" job.
Tom
I replaced everything in the front, New Energy Suspension bushings, ball joints,tie rods, idler arm, and 460lbs VBP springs, valve and cylinder. I rebuilt the steering box and now waiting on a rag joint,
I also rebuilt the trailing arms with new Timkin bearings that I painstakingly set at .002 play on both sides. New front urathane buchings and ss shims. New VBP camber adjusters, new u-joints and crossmember bushings, and new spring. The rear has new clutch plates, All the rear parts are ready to be installed on the car. As soon as I get the rear suspension in place I want to have it aligned to take advantage of the new parts.
I want to find someone who will take as much effort to align as I have in rebuilding it. I would like to do it myself so I know that it did not get the "Close enough is good enough" job.
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,425
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Hi again,
Sounds like you know you stuff and did everything the right way.
Finding a qualified technician was the same problem I had, went into shop after shop and just asked if any techs owned a C2 or C3. Finally at Good Year they said yes Bubba owns a C2 so I let them do it.
Hard to believe that most of the techs were half the age of my 74!
Happy Hunting,
Pete.
Sounds like you know you stuff and did everything the right way.
Finding a qualified technician was the same problem I had, went into shop after shop and just asked if any techs owned a C2 or C3. Finally at Good Year they said yes Bubba owns a C2 so I let them do it.
Hard to believe that most of the techs were half the age of my 74!
Happy Hunting,
Pete.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: brigantine nj
alignment
i rebuilt my front end with a transverse composite monospring system from vbp, this system lets you pick ,street,or advance street,or autocross settings.went with the advance street.told the shop the settings,they said if that is what you want ok did not think it would be ok the car handles like new vette the shop is in galloway NJ ED & Gene's king tire 609-625-2121 . the bigest problem was they did not have enough shims, new cars do not use them , bring your own shims!!! price for the work was $128.40 front and rear. the shop is by atlantic city. good luck RON.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,667
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From: Shamong, NJ
Tom, I'm not sure where you are in South Jersey, but you may want to look into Jack's Alignment on Atsion Road in Shamong (Medford/Tabernacle area, 12-13 miles east of Cherry Hill), 609-654-8287. They've been doing alignments for years and have lots of experience with 4 wheel alignments on Corvettes. A number of the Corvette restorers and shops in South Jersey use Jack's.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Manahawkin NJ
I am by LBI . I will take a ride to both Jack's and Kings and see which I feel more comfortable with. I Triumph owner I know said that a TR6 is much harder then a c-3 corvette to get correct. He suggested Shore Wheels BUT ONLY if the owner of the shop is the one to do it. He put in the extra effort to make it perfect.
Crap! This is getting harder! Now I am not only searching out a shop, but now I have to narrow it down to an individual within the best shop.
Thanks for all the help
Crap! This is getting harder! Now I am not only searching out a shop, but now I have to narrow it down to an individual within the best shop.
Thanks for all the help
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ment-shop.html
Ceriale's in Mount Holly...I had an excellent experience and the car is still straight as an arrow years later. The owner was on a mission to train all of the younger techs in the correct way to align our babies so I don't expect it will matter who does the job for you these days. HIGHLY recommended.
Ceriale's in Mount Holly...I had an excellent experience and the car is still straight as an arrow years later. The owner was on a mission to train all of the younger techs in the correct way to align our babies so I don't expect it will matter who does the job for you these days. HIGHLY recommended.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,667
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From: Shamong, NJ
Are you familiar with the Beach Bums Corvette Club in Manahawkin. A couple of their members have used Jack's. Someone in the club may be able to recommend another shop in your area though.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
I have used Ceriales a bunch of times with very good luck. They do give a slight discount for forum members. I have not tried Jacks as said above but I would certainly give them a look next time I need an alignment as they are close by to me. Always good to hear of good experiences from local Corvette guys.
