Front and Rear Wheel Alignment

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Jan 11, 2012 | 02:34 PM

bucket

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Front and Rear Wheel Alignment

I have a 1969 C3 350/350 with power steering. I'm planning to get new tires. The outer threads of the front tire on the passenger side is more worn than on the other tires. Therefore I'm planning to get an alignment. It's also been a number of years since the car was aligned.

I'm leaning toward a front end alignment only. However, is it advisable to get the rear end aligned also? If so, why?

Thanks

Jan 11, 2012 | 02:53 PM

MelWff

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1. prevent uneven tire wear.
2. insure the car handles the way it was designed to.

Jan 11, 2012 | 02:55 PM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Your alignment tech will probably advise aligning all four. The intent is to have the rears tracking the same path as the fronts.

Jan 11, 2012 | 09:17 PM

Steve2147

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From: BC

You want to align the rears for all the same reasons you do the frt. As the springs sag and suspension settles the alignment angles change. The fact that you have one scrubbed off tire suggests either a worn part at that corner (ball joint, bushings etc) or something bent. The other 3 are likely off a lesser amount from the suspension sag and should be corrected for that.
Steve g

Jan 11, 2012 | 09:45 PM

bucket

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I do appreciate everyone's reply. I think the answers make sense. And I will give more thought to having the rear wheels aligned along with the front wheels.

But I must say that, over the years, I have never received uneven wear on the rear tires -- just on the front. And over the years, when I did have the rear wheels aligned with the front wheels, I didn't see any difference in handling. But the car is older now, and the four wheel alignment may make a noticeable difference now.

Jan 11, 2012 | 09:58 PM

Peterbuilt

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From: mount holly NC

2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)

Yes! You should get all 4 wheels aligned but...

The rear trailing arm shims rarely come out as individual pieces, they rust together and come out as a clump. (Shops don't stock new shims).
Any shop that is familiar with C-3's will ask "How long have the shims been in there?"
Let them see if you are in spec for the rear toe and if needed replace the shims and go back for the rear.

Jan 12, 2012 | 08:26 AM

bucket

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I have some questions concerning the rear wheel alignment. I looked in my service manual and I couldn't find the specs for the rear end.

1. Could someone tell me what the specs are for the rear wheel alignment?
2. Are the front and rear wheel alignments independent of each other, meaning that the front could be done at one time, and the rear could be done at another?

Thanks