Does anyone know a good 4 wheel alignment shop for a 1974 C3 in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area?

 

I'm thinking, your home garage.

 

I have in the past gone to a few tire/Alignment shops and interviewed the alignment tech's before deciding on who gets to do the job on my Corvette. You need to find someone who knows and Likes older Cars like Corvettes and knows just how to set up the alignment. How someone answers my questions determines who works on my C3, if they don't like old muscle cars then run to another shop. I went to a shop one day and the mechanic started on talking about how much he hated Corvettes, I simply started the car back up and drove away. If you don't love Corvettes then you don't touch my car.

I found a NTW/NTB shop that had great alignment tech near my home and they ended up doing the alignment from the beginning. I had previously purchased two packs of the Stainless Steel shims to replace the old rusty ones that are now rusted together. With the updated aftermarket suspension parts the tech was actually looking forward to doing my C3. He started by pulling ALL the old shims out and then re-centered the differential and set it up perfectly. The front end was easier but in all he took several hours to do the 4 wheel alignment and it was the best $99 you could spend. The car drove so much nicer with everything working together and driving straight.

If you can find a place that does the 4 wheel alignment for a fixed price like the $99 deal and then find the right tech to do the job. I paid the tech more than the shop because he did a way above and beyond job on my C3. The tech who did my C3 was so good that I paid him directly for his time and effort.

When you do find a shop that will align your Corvette you might want to watch as much of the job as you can. This way they won't look and see if the alignment is close and leave it alone.

Always have a list of the specs you want your C3 aligned to, they are available online. Back in the day Vette Brakes and Products listed the various specs for the different driving styles.

 

Thanks for your input. I definitely want a shop that specifically knows how to do C3 Corvettes. I don't trust the rest of them..

 

I would disagree on only specialty shop, agree on interviews..

anyone that knows how to align a c3 rear is the nut. I found my guy at a tire barn chain.
i would purchase rear shims from one of the sponsors as 99% sure the alignment shop will not have.

worn bushings and rusted bolts can also be an issue. Check axle end play too for handling.

agree with comments above..buy one year plan if offered and tip as needed..
a large tip and he spent 2 hours last time adjusting and rolling back and forth after every adjustment.

 

So I'm interested in how you handled the tip.....Did you give it to him ahead of time agreeing on special attention for your car, or did you talk about a tip and then watch the performance and then tip for attention to detail....

Just curious

 

it’s a great question..
i handed him an envelope at bay and left, in it was the specs and details from shop manual for reset ( tightest specs). Said i appreciated his knowledge and confidence. It was 3 twenties wrapped in specs.

when done he said he needed shims for rear to really dial it in.
one year alignment as often as i wanted 149 bucks.
since then within a year,,
- another alignment with rear shims…tip
- rear trailing arm bushings bad replaced….tip
- replace rear spring tip
- rebuild differential tip
i told him to feel free to test drive and play, he said he couldn’t, boots didn’t fit..
Each time a printout
i always left after envelope..came back couple hours.
i figured me staring wouldn’t help.
he travels between locations. I call ahead and make appointment with him by name

One of many printouts.. i think this is the first..since then all green..before alignment my pathetic diy at home attempt after front bushings power steering valve, springs

 

Around here they get over $100 and hour. If it took several hours....They would charge accordingly.
I was looking for a shop. A few known for their alignments wanted $400 for the front, which is much easier than the rear. Glad you tipped him well.

I had a great shop. The mechanic who owned it wasn't wild about doing it, but did it himself as he was the best and he knew I tracked the car. Unfortunately, he passed due to a brain aneurysm (RIP Mike). This time I got lucky. My daughter’s fiancé owns a high-performance Subaru shop. They do very high HP cars and found a guy that aligns formula cars. He starts by balancing the cars then aligns them.

 

I agree with Interpon on talking with the manager at tire/alignment shops and finding the right person to do the job. Our local Big O is locally owned (I think they all are?) and I know the owner well as I've purchased a lot of tires from him for various cars, trucks, and trailers. He told me his alignment guy has over 30 years of experience and could do our older cars no problem.

He's done both of the C3s we've owned and did a great job. Before he started he showed me that he had all the correct specs and methods for the car. The first time he did our '68 it took him a lot of extra time due to the crazy '68 shim set up on the TAs. When I took it back a couple of years later after rebuilding all the suspension, diff, etc. I had modified the rear shim set up to be the same slotted set up as '69+. He was thrilled!

Like Interpon, I took an assortment of shims with me so he could use what he needed. Good luck! Paul

 

i agree with the comments. One important thing is to look at the diagrams and see if any bolts or nuts are frozen with rust. If so the car will be there a day and the the bill will be way up there because of the frustration of the alignment guy spending so much time. He may not even want to do if it all rusty underneath.

If no rust you should be golden!

 

VetteXperts is a Corvette shop in WestPalm or Ft Lauderdale who could recommend a good place to get an alignment.

 

Very Experts

 

I researched the Corvette restoration shops in my area. There was a very reputable one ( Bloomington Gold n NCRS top Flight cars) about an hour from me. I asked them where they took their frame off C2&C3 cars for alignments. The shop was 10 min down the road from the resto shop.
All the rubber bushings ( front n rear) have been replaced n the rear trailing arm shims n bolts were new SS.
With an extra new pack of SS shims in hand and the 1970 Corvette on a trailer, I arrived at the shop when they opened. Car on the rack in 10 min. Tech already had the specs for the car in the machine n started working. He found a crack in a front tie rod sleeve. Drove down to the resto shop n secured a new one. Had the new part installed n worked to complete the Front alignment. With the new shims n hardware in the rear, he only had to tweak it a bit and the car was ready for its test drive by 11 am.
I jumped in the car and it drove hands off straight down the highway. The whole alignment n parts replacement was $150 plus a nice tip for the techs extra effort.