82 rear camber question
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Lufkin TX
82 rear camber question
I just bought my first vette a couple months ago. Its an 82, a driver, but needs a little work. Just noticed tonight that the right rear wheel looks like it is leaning in at the top. Any ideas what may be causing this?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; Easy way to check it out. Put a level on the wheel rim, it needs to be Plumb, ( straight up & down,) if it is not, start checking what is the cause. Could be bad Trailing Arm bushings, as well as the above items. Have a great day.l Gene
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Lufkin TX
Thanks for the input everyone. I do not think it's an optical illusion. I did put a level on it this afternoon, but the level was not short enough to use just on the wheel, so I put it on the outside of the tire. It was definitely not plumb. I also put it on the drivers side, as it looked to be plumb, but the level showed otherwise. It was not as bad as the passenger side though. I havent noticed any tire wear, and only yesterday noticed the issue. Im putting new tires on this week, so I will check it out when I get the wheels and tire off and see what I can see...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Several things contribute to this. The strut rod bushings have been mentioned and they are the most likely source. Also the output yokes in the differential will cause this when they are worn.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Lufkin TX
Well, the output yokes may make sense...I have been noticing a slight humm coming from back there, and wasnt sure if it was the old tires, or the differential going out. I also planned on having the diff fluid changed this week to see if that helped. Hope Im not about to have to replace the whole rear end!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
I also have this problem with my 82. It looks like the PO put a new trailing arm assembly on the RR and all of the shims are on the outward side of the trailing arm, therefore not getting a correct camber & toe adjustment on that wheel. (at least that's what I think the problem may be)
Here are my rear alignmnet specs that shows it is out and needs correction.
LEFT REAR...
Camber.....-1.5 degrees
Toe....0.17
RIGHT REAR
Camber......-1.5
Toe...0.41
It still tracks straight, but it is something that I need to correct soon.
good luck in correcting yours, anxious to hear what you find out.....
Here are my rear alignmnet specs that shows it is out and needs correction.
LEFT REAR...
Camber.....-1.5 degrees
Toe....0.17
RIGHT REAR
Camber......-1.5
Toe...0.41
It still tracks straight, but it is something that I need to correct soon.
good luck in correcting yours, anxious to hear what you find out.....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
I know what you mean by this, I replaced my mono leaf which changed the geometry and both wheels were leaning in. So I jacked up the rear and loosened the ecentric bolts and let the wheels tilt downward then lowered the car. I did this several times till the wheels were perfectly verticle sitting on the ground. I know alot of work but I have no shops around me that I trust.