'81 4 Way Alignment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 232
Likes: 14
'81 4 Way Alignment
Sooooo, I'm researching my next project. Rebuilding the trailing arms. Going to have it done and I'll just remove and replace the arms.
Two questions: I live in North Idaho, so I'm going to have to ship them somewhere. Anyone who's done this have recommendations for who does the best work? I've talked with VTech and I see Van Steel.
Second question: I called the local Chevrolet Dealer and they say that they do the 4 way alignment on an '81. What is the last year that had trailing arms?
Do you think that they would have experienced techs. Quoted me $90.00 if they didn't have to fight with rusted bolts, etc...
Two questions: I live in North Idaho, so I'm going to have to ship them somewhere. Anyone who's done this have recommendations for who does the best work? I've talked with VTech and I see Van Steel.
Second question: I called the local Chevrolet Dealer and they say that they do the 4 way alignment on an '81. What is the last year that had trailing arms?
Do you think that they would have experienced techs. Quoted me $90.00 if they didn't have to fight with rusted bolts, etc...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Normally, I wouldn't count on local dealer to have guys experienced w/ 50 year old trailing arms. When you replace arms you'll probably cut out old rusty bolts & replace w/ new.
Between Spokane and Coeur d'Alene there'll be several FRAME shops who repair wrecked & mangled frames. Either they can do 4 wheel alignments on 63-82 vettes w/ trailing arms or they can tell you who's good at it. Ask any local auto ins adjuster ... they should know em all. Don't be some rookie's guinea pig. FWIW, probably still downtime for local Real race shops ... they probably have the chops to understand vette arms and alignment.
Between Spokane and Coeur d'Alene there'll be several FRAME shops who repair wrecked & mangled frames. Either they can do 4 wheel alignments on 63-82 vettes w/ trailing arms or they can tell you who's good at it. Ask any local auto ins adjuster ... they should know em all. Don't be some rookie's guinea pig. FWIW, probably still downtime for local Real race shops ... they probably have the chops to understand vette arms and alignment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Tom's at Ponderay
Just clicked ...
Tom's differentials is in your neck of the woods (at Ponderay ID), Tom Watt passed on early '18 but afaik business still live.
https://tomsdifferentials.com/
Perhaps they can meet your needs or advise you.
If I were there, I'd certainly reach out to Tom's. They built a good legacy located in SoCal.
Tom's differentials is in your neck of the woods (at Ponderay ID), Tom Watt passed on early '18 but afaik business still live.
https://tomsdifferentials.com/
Perhaps they can meet your needs or advise you.
If I were there, I'd certainly reach out to Tom's. They built a good legacy located in SoCal.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 290
Likes: 78
Just an fyi. $90 is cheap for an alignment. At that price its probably just a " toe and go",(front toe). Price will go up from there plus the parts depending on what else needs done. Of course, parts are cheap for these as shims are the only parts needed. When I do alignments it may cost more to do a complete 4 wheel align but I spend the time to get them perfect. The vehicles I align go down the road straight as an arrow with a perfectly straight wheel and no abnormal tire wear. You should ask them if thier alignment tech has experience with a C3. Most do not. In all the shops I've worked in the last 30 years I was the only one who knew how to align these cars properly. I'm not trying to "toot my own horn" as they say but just want you to understand a proper alignment on a C3 takes time and knowledge. If it's not done right the C3 is unstable and can be downright dangerous to control.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 225
The rear wheel alignment isn't that difficult. Nice thing is if the arms/struts are new. If you really want to know if they're capable. then ask them if they have the shims to adjust the rear toe. Then watch their expression.
If they hem an haw....leave. The other thing to keep in mind is I would tell them what specs you are looking for. I'm a stock spec type of guy, but there may be others who have experimented with it especially if you don't have stock tires/wheels.Don't leave it up to them.
The other thing to remember, keep the trailing arms shims in order, and side to side. Then use their thickness as a starting point.
If they hem an haw....leave. The other thing to keep in mind is I would tell them what specs you are looking for. I'm a stock spec type of guy, but there may be others who have experimented with it especially if you don't have stock tires/wheels.Don't leave it up to them.
The other thing to remember, keep the trailing arms shims in order, and side to side. Then use their thickness as a starting point.
Last edited by Mrvettenick; Mar 22, 2020 at 12:05 PM.
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