Alignment mystery
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
The ram and control valve were recently replaced at a very good custom shop so doubtful. Also the problem was unchanged before and after replacement.
Last edited by CiCiC3; May 28, 2022 at 04:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 17
From: GUTHRIE OKLAHOMA
I apologize if this has already been discussed, but the rear thrust angle is important to consider, that is whether or not both rear toe angles are the same. The rear toe angle is the total of both sides, but if one side is toed out and the other side toed in an equal amount, the total toe can be within specs but the thrust angle can cause a pull.
It’s akin to a solid rear axle car dog-tracking.
It’s akin to a solid rear axle car dog-tracking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 598
Why does my '74 pull rather strongly to the right all the time? This has been a deal I have lived with years but am finally at least putting it on the forum for possible answers. At the alignment shop it checks out fine at some really good shops. I used the compass on my phone laying it against the flat part of the wheel on either side and the compass reads the same degrees. Just visually, it looks great except the right front wheel is about 3/4 of inch farther out than the left. Like there was a spacer behind it but there is not.
I've driven on these tires thousands of miles and there is no problem with wear pattern at all. They are the usual BF Goodrich radial T/As 225 60R 15 on 1976 stock 8" mags.
I'm tempted to skew with the front wheel alignment a little to manually adjust for less pull but I don't know. I guess the problem started when I went with 60 wides all around where as previously I have 70 wide in front. A slight toe in front would wear sure but may cure the pull to one side?
I've driven on these tires thousands of miles and there is no problem with wear pattern at all. They are the usual BF Goodrich radial T/As 225 60R 15 on 1976 stock 8" mags.
I'm tempted to skew with the front wheel alignment a little to manually adjust for less pull but I don't know. I guess the problem started when I went with 60 wides all around where as previously I have 70 wide in front. A slight toe in front would wear sure but may cure the pull to one side?
As others have suggested The steering Ram is not centered / Balanced. You can verify this via lifting the front wheels off the ground.
Center the wheel and start the car. If the wheels move start with a re-balance of the steering Ram.
Also move the steering wheel left / right and make sure similar efford turning both directions.
Next Check the alignment for thurst angles. In the picture below this is checking the front wheels.
Here is the complete alignment measurement system I use,
My DIY Alignment method - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Check the rear with the same procedure,
Also check how square your axle's are to the frame.
place bars like this and measure the distance between the bars. Should be ! 98" which is the wheel base of the car. But more important is left & right side is the same.
Next is the caster setting. This is more difficult to check. But follow my alignment measurement post and you will find the method in the post.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I apologize if this has already been discussed, but the rear thrust angle is important to consider, that is whether or not both rear toe angles are the same. The rear toe angle is the total of both sides, but if one side is toed out and the other side toed in an equal amount, the total toe can be within specs but the thrust angle can cause a pull.
It’s akin to a solid rear axle car dog-tracking.
It’s akin to a solid rear axle car dog-tracking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: US-PNW
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...47173-dub.html
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Must be frustrating. I can think of a few potential causes, some of which you've already 'eliminated'.
- Air pressure. I'm sure you've checked, but...
- Alignment. Sounds like you have that covered.
- Frame alignment. Has the car ever been hit, repaired?
- Brakes, brake issues
- Wheel bearing; spindle; etc.
- Suspension parts. Front; rear. Are the bushings etc. worn on control arms, trailing arms, etc.?
Though he's not active in the forum of late, if you search for usernames, DUB has a lot of posts for you to get a feel for his knowledge.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...47173-dub.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...47173-dub.html
So I'm going to take it back to the shop that installed it if they are still in business and have them take a check on it like he was explaining to me. I'm not really sure that shop is still open to public though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 863
Likes: 186
From: CT
Interested to see the fix. My front passenger wheel sticks out further than my driver but the car was in an accident and the body is all wonky. I’m planning to do my alignment myself on my 78 but I have the fastrax caster/camber and toe tools plus I picked up turn tables which I was able to align my firebird really good.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
[QUOTE=78vette5.3;1605212284]Interested to see the fix. My front passenger wheel sticks out further than my driver but the car was in an accident and the body is all wonky. I’m planning to do my alignment myself on my 78 but I have the fastrax caster/camber and toe tools plus I picked up turn tables which I was able to align my firebird really good.[/QUOTE
My 74 also had an impact that apparently did damage to the right front before I owned the car. Now the body is pushed a half inch or more to one side in front. No problems exist now and has all been repaired frame wise but the body of going to remain off kilter a smidgen.
I’m going to need to drive this somewhere to get checked out and fixed but with extreme heat lately I going to need a cool break in the weather.
My 74 also had an impact that apparently did damage to the right front before I owned the car. Now the body is pushed a half inch or more to one side in front. No problems exist now and has all been repaired frame wise but the body of going to remain off kilter a smidgen.
I’m going to need to drive this somewhere to get checked out and fixed but with extreme heat lately I going to need a cool break in the weather.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
After looking at the shims on the upper control arms pivot shaft things look real screwy. One front wheel looks like all the shims fell out and there is a gap of over a half inch angling to 1/4 inch on the other side. The other wheel has the shaft at angle also but it is tight with shims. Only one side of the shaft has shims though of about .200 with no shims on the other side. Supposedly you are supposed to have equal shims to keep the shaft parallel with the control arm. I'm far from it. But the wheels appear very close to being parallel although the cambers are different. Can't really tell how much but it is visually noticeable. You would think by looking at the pivot shafts that the wheels would be extremely far off. 
Last edited by CiCiC3; Jun 7, 2022 at 06:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I did put the shims back filling the gaps on the control shaft keeping the same angle. Took it for a drive and there was no change to the pull to the right although the steering became stiffer. Hmm. We'll try the spare tire next.