Alignment issues.. straighten frame? Offset crossbars?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 50
From: Atlanta, GA
Alignment issues.. straighten frame? Offset crossbars?
Oh the joys of classic vehicle ownership continues....
Sooo.. I rebuilt and upgraded the entire front suspension on my 76 Corvette only to find out today an alignment couldn't be performed cause my frame alignment is also off 🤬. So... I start looking for frame places only to find out most either won't do anything non collision related or they can't just plug my car into their computer... 🙄... There are two options of which I may do one or both....I dunno.. new to all this stuff.
1. Find frame shop to tweak it just a bit so it is back to spec cause being 40+ years old things tend to sag and get outta alignment (I know the feeling).... but it can be $$$, might cause additional issues, and may not last.
2. Get upper control arm offset crossbars.. less $$ but I will have to pull the arms out again, remove the bushings and replace again, and reinstall again.
Sooo..... Suggestions? Thoughts? Experiences?
Sooo.. I rebuilt and upgraded the entire front suspension on my 76 Corvette only to find out today an alignment couldn't be performed cause my frame alignment is also off 🤬. So... I start looking for frame places only to find out most either won't do anything non collision related or they can't just plug my car into their computer... 🙄... There are two options of which I may do one or both....I dunno.. new to all this stuff.
1. Find frame shop to tweak it just a bit so it is back to spec cause being 40+ years old things tend to sag and get outta alignment (I know the feeling).... but it can be $$$, might cause additional issues, and may not last.
2. Get upper control arm offset crossbars.. less $$ but I will have to pull the arms out again, remove the bushings and replace again, and reinstall again.
Sooo..... Suggestions? Thoughts? Experiences?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 365
From: Tolland CT
Of those two options the offset crossbars seems like the better course of action to me. The job isn't THAT bad, plus you will end up in a much happier place for camber when done. If you just tweak the frame, you will still have camber issues.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 707
Likes: 31
From: Pitman NJ
If the car was not hit, my assumption is that the front end has sagged to the point where with no shims the camber can't be brought into alignment. I agree with the post above, and adding offset shafts is the easier solution.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Plus the shafts were just done. Second time is no fighting rusty parts,you know how to get to every bolt,etc. Remove bushings? Press em out and into another arm? Nope. Buy new bushings. Put orig arms away with bushings installed.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 529
Likes: 113
From: Texas
http://www.globalwest.net/1963-64-65...t-global-.html
Should fix your issue if there is no frame damage.
Should fix your issue if there is no frame damage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
Likes: 275
From: Frederick MD
Oh the joys of classic vehicle ownership continues....
Sooo.. I rebuilt and upgraded the entire front suspension on my 76 Corvette only to find out today an alignment couldn't be performed cause my frame alignment is also off 🤬. So... I start looking for frame places only to find out most either won't do anything non collision related or they can't just plug my car into their computer... 🙄... There are two options of which I may do one or both....I dunno.. new to all this stuff.
1. Find frame shop to tweak it just a bit so it is back to spec cause being 40+ years old things tend to sag and get outta alignment (I know the feeling).... but it can be $$$, might cause additional issues, and may not last.
2. Get upper control arm offset crossbars.. less $$ but I will have to pull the arms out again, remove the bushings and replace again, and reinstall again.
Sooo..... Suggestions? Thoughts? Experiences?
Sooo.. I rebuilt and upgraded the entire front suspension on my 76 Corvette only to find out today an alignment couldn't be performed cause my frame alignment is also off 🤬. So... I start looking for frame places only to find out most either won't do anything non collision related or they can't just plug my car into their computer... 🙄... There are two options of which I may do one or both....I dunno.. new to all this stuff.
1. Find frame shop to tweak it just a bit so it is back to spec cause being 40+ years old things tend to sag and get outta alignment (I know the feeling).... but it can be $$$, might cause additional issues, and may not last.
2. Get upper control arm offset crossbars.. less $$ but I will have to pull the arms out again, remove the bushings and replace again, and reinstall again.
Sooo..... Suggestions? Thoughts? Experiences?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
how bad is it out of alignment? Did they give you a sheet? I had to have my frame pulled to get it aligned, I took it to a shop known for classic car restoration and had them do the work. I also upgraded the suspension to aftermarket pieces to correct suspension geometry and allow for improved specs for stability at interstate speeds.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Here is a link to Moog offset control arm.
Identified on Moog's site as the correct number for our Corvettes even though listed as full size Chevrolet.
K6104 is the Moog part #
The Global West how to video is a good link also.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Moog/719/K6104/10002/-1
Good luck
Identified on Moog's site as the correct number for our Corvettes even though listed as full size Chevrolet.
K6104 is the Moog part #
The Global West how to video is a good link also.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Moog/719/K6104/10002/-1
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
how bad is it out of alignment? Did they give you a sheet? I had to have my frame pulled to get it aligned, I took it to a shop known for classic car restoration and had them do the work. I also upgraded the suspension to aftermarket pieces to correct suspension geometry and allow for improved specs for stability at interstate speeds.
I have 2 frames I will be checking before any work.
Nice to get an idea of cost.
Thanks
