Hey all…

Im getting new tires installed 5/25/23 and the shop said they don't know if their alignment specs go back 42 years…

does anyone have the alignment specs for an 81? A photo of your alignment paperwork should suffice to try and help them out. They are looking as well, but would like to go prepared.

thanks all

 

Whelen1

Alignment specs from Van Steel - Link below. Your Chevrolet Shop Manual will also have those specifications.

http://www.vansteel.com/PDFs/alignmentspecs6382.pdf

Mapman

 

Thank you! One thing I neglected to mention, im going with the 255 tire option, this wont change those specs at all correct?

 

79.. imagine would be the same.. i do not see different specs for optional tire size... might as well show them where the bolts go to..

 

Thank you gents! This is extremely helpful!

 

So here's the bad about getting the shop to do the alignment. Ususally the shims in the rear trailing arm are rusted together and don't move easily to adjust. So most people supply new stainless steel shim's to the shop since THEY WILL NOT HAVE WHAT YOU NEED.
or most shops only adjust the rear camber (easy part) and leave the rear toe / thurst angle as is.

Front suspension also requires shim's to adjust caster / camber. Most shops don't do this as well.

Meaning they adjust within specs vs acutally setting correctly.

eg front left caster = 1.75 degrees .5 degree camber. front right wheel caster = 2.75 .3 degree camber. and call it good. while within specs.

So ask what adjustments they are prepaired to do and at what cost. Most shops in my area charge by the hour for C3 corvette alignments. Including Chev dealerships.

Until you have tried doing rear toe adjustments on a C3, you start to understand why they charge by the hour.

I have changed to DIY alignment to make sure EVERYTHING is adjusted and doesn't cost $$$$$.

Here is my DIY Alignment info.

My DIY Alignment method - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

terria

So based on the above sheet which shows ALL GREEN (Within specs ???) is actually "for me" would be a terrible alignment.

1. Front camber is .4 on side .9 on the other.
2. Total toe is very high (1/4") total toe. Usually 1/32 to 1/8 total (. and Front thrust is more than .001
3. caster is good equal on both sides.
4. Rear Camber is .2 & .8 very bad
5. Rear toe is equal but not enough total toe. should be .265 degrees 1/8"

Good alignment should be balanced left vs right side.

Front camber / caster same on both sides.
Front thurst .001
Front Total toe 1/32 to 1/16"

Rear camber same on both sides
Rear Total toe 1/8"

Camber vaules is based on how you want to drive. More agressive more camber. Max for street usually ends @ -1 degree.

 

I found aligment specs to be subjective. For example, Van Steel recommends up to 2 degrees negative camber and Toe-out. I found 1/2 degree negative was better for me and Toe Out made the car squirrelly under hard braking. I track my car. YMMV.