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Took my '75 Vette to a large regional tire shop (8 locations) to get 4 new BF Goodrich tires and have my wheels aligned. The alignment machine they have is state-of-the-art BUT the programs and specs only went back to 1994...for ALL vehicles! So they were unable to set the alignment machine and did not know what to do.....
I found the same to be true for just about all the tire dealers in the area. The other option I explored was taking it to either of the 2 Chevy dealerships...one couldn't do it (car was too old) and the other one was in the process of upgrading their equipment.
WHAT DO YOU ALL DO TO GET A SIMPLE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOR AN OLDER CORVETTE???? HELP!
Last edited by vetteguy75; Nov 27, 2015 at 10:07 PM.
The Ford dealer about 30 miles form my home has all solid state alignment equipment. He had no issues doing my 2 Vettes. Just another day on the alignment rack.
Try to find a shop that works with Motorsports - Autocross Cars. The best Alignment equipment means nothing if the guy using it hasn't a clue. They didn't have the alignment specs past 1994 ? 5 minutes on Google would produce that. Don't walk away Run away from these shops. Don't shop around for the best deal, one price fits all, shop around for the person who knows what he is doing, probably at an hourly rate. Don't expect them to have the rear Alignment Shims for a C3 ! Buy some Stainless ones and go in with them in hand from any of the Vendors. Same for everything else, if its rusted solid break it loose or replace it before You get there.
Get one of these for less than $200 and do it yourself . Home alignments are very simple to do.
Here is a pretty good video on setting toe on a C3.
http://youtu.be/5YM9Rwchge4
Last edited by Sacred Steel; Nov 28, 2015 at 07:11 AM.
Get one of these for less than $200 and do it yourself . Home alignments are very simple to do.
Here is a pretty good video on setting toe on a C3. http://youtu.be/5YM9Rwchge4
If you are remotely mechanically inclined, this is the way to go^^^^. Do it yourself, you know it is done right, 4 wheel alignment at a shop will probably cost at least $200, you have the tool for future use. The last time a shop did an alignment on my 78 was 1985.....
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Better yet, pick specs from those referenced in the thread below which best match your primary usage, and don't settle for anything less than precision work to those specs. FWIW, I highly recommend against cross-camber or cross-caster on a sportscar, but that's your call. In any event, if they don't know how to do the rear toe, or try to convince you that it isn't a critical setting, find another shop.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Good advise but...
Originally Posted by Gale Banks 80'
Buy some Stainless ones and go in with them in hand from any of the Vendors.
The bolt will be rust welded to the bushing so it will have to be cut off.
The next problem is that the old shims will have rust welded together so they will not come out one at a time.
You will need a new bushing also.
Change all these parts first.
listen to what everyone is saying. I did a complete VBP suspension upgrade tubular front offset rears springs blah blah blah....
anyway I tried a big place around here Town Fair Tire they said no problem bring the specs you want and they would do it.
Long story short it was so messed up by the time they got through the car was very jumpy and timid to drive.
I went back and they said it was too old for them to do and they should not have done it it took too long and they would rather do imports that are quicker and refunded my 90.00 bucks.
I found a mom and pop shop close by that does hot rods and such we talked gave them the specs from VBP they set everything up and said if I dont like it bring it back and they would tweak things a bit for free.
Yes all the components where brand new and anti- seized so the didnt have rusts or bound up bolt issues.
dont go to the big chain stores they unfortunately are on a time constraint and dont have the ability or time that it takes to do this right.
You've been given some great advice.
1) no chain stores
2) do it yourself
3) find a local mom and pop. That's what I did. Found an old codger that has been around forty years, in an old clapboard garage. I walk in with spare shims in my hand, he knows I'm serious and he knows I know what he has to do. No fancy equipment. Just big wrenches and lots of experience. He and I now run into each other at cruise ins and car shows. Good relationship.
Took my '75 Vette to a large regional tire shop (8 locations) to get 4 new BF Goodrich tires and have my wheels aligned. The alignment machine they have is state-of-the-art BUT the programs and specs only went back to 1994...for ALL vehicles! So they were unable to set the alignment machine and did not know what to do.....
I found the same to be true for just about all the tire dealers in the area. The other option I explored was taking it to either of the 2 Chevy dealerships...one couldn't do it (car was too old) and the other one was in the process of upgrading their equipment.
WHAT DO YOU ALL DO TO GET A SIMPLE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOR AN OLDER CORVETTE???? HELP!
Vetteguy- Check my post on alignment tool. I bought a QuickTrick alignment tool that will do both front and rear for about $295. No more fooling around with clueless "mechanics". RA
Hey Vetteguy if your shims aren't all seized there is a guy in New Iberia can do it Bobby's Alignment. I know that's a haul for you but he's old school.
I installed VBP Performance Plus full kit with 275/45 ZR17 tires. I supplied a local shop with VBP suggested "advanced street" alignment specs, and front and rear stainless steel alignment shims. They charged me $100.
I am lucky here in Tampa Bay - our local Firestone Auto Care about 3 miles from the house has 1 mechanic who does it. I got the lifetime alignment for $139 and they have aligned it 5 times this year I keep replacing bushing and upgrading suspension components and they do it every time with no complaints. I must say they were super happy that I put in that adjustable strut rod kit for the rear alignment so they don't have to mess with the shims anymore
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Dosent the strut rod just do castor/ camber and the shims do the toe? Once the toe is set it shouldnt change, right?. Im asking because I'm about to jack mine up and adjust some shims that may be walking out due to bubba using the incorrect ones for 68.
Dosent the strut rod just do castor/ camber and the shims do the toe? Once the toe is set it shouldnt change, right?. Im asking because I'm about to jack mine up and adjust some shims that may be walking out due to bubba using the incorrect ones for 68.
That is over my head. I was wearing the inside of the rears something terrible and in the reports they said it could not be adjusted anymore. I went to replace the bushing and ended up getting the adjustable rods and now they are able to adjust it all the way. I also changed about all the bushing in the rear with all Poly.
4 Wheel Alignment for your C3....
I used to do that for the Oscilloscope..
I keep replacing bushing and upgrading suspension components and they do it every time with no complaints. I must say they were super happy that I put in that adjustable strut rod kit for the rear alignment so they don't have to mess with the shims anymore