My '70 Vert pulls to the left. I've never done a front-end alignment before, how hard is this to do on your own? Does anyone have a good website/instructions on how to do this for an early C3?

Thanks.

 

Glad you asked that question becuase I Want to know too. I have a terrible right pull and my passenger front tire has worn a bit already. Maybe I'll just take it in and get them do it for $60. jsut they see a corvette guy come in there they think he has lots of money and right away you need new ball joints and steering knuckles. (when they do that to me I jsut say what spec are you working to, if it fails, well it has to be below a spec, "show me the spec and show me how it failed") but I do all mechanical myself, other than front end alignment.

 

It is my opinion that unless you have the correct equipment, have it done. It's not expensive and well worth it.

 

We actually have had a couple of lengthy discussions of the topic. I was surprised how many on this forum do their own allignment. All kinds of sources of tools (including homemade tools) were discussed. There are 2 very good websites with detailed "how to" instructions. I got all psyched to do my own, but of course haven't gotten around to it yet. Do a search and see what you find. I will post my links when I find them. :) MJ


[Modified by MNJack, 3:04 PM 5/23/2003]

 

I just checked, and all of the information I referenced above is available at
http://www.corvettefaq.com

the tools, the 2 websites with instructions, and even the thread from corvetteforum discussing the topic!! :) What a great website!! corvettefaq.com :cheers:

MJ

 

I use a couple of strings. You attach the strings to the back tires and then bring them forward. The front tires should have just a small amount of toe in about 1/8".

Don't be afraid to play around with it. I did and got mine to track pretty straight. Worst that can happen is that you mess it up and have to take it in to the alignment shop.

You have to be patient as it requires lots of adjusting and road testing.

As far as the camber goes you want the wheel almost straight up and down but with the top of the wheel leaning slightly in towards the body.. Adjust the camber first and then the toe.




[Modified by turtlevette, 3:19 PM 5/23/2003]

 

Ah - a string - very good. I use my good fishing rod as a 'straight'.
I lay at along the sidewall and 'sight' down the length to judge tow-in.
The string sounds like a better idea.
:thumbs:

 

Alignment is nothing more tha H.S. math. Degrees, inches . Now all you need is a level, tape measure and protrator. If you take four 12" squares of hard plastic or teflon, put a wad of grease on two and put the other two on top you have some "slip plates . Drive onto these and then you can easily make any adjustments as the plates will slip, and you won't be fighting the tires on the pavement. The cars weight must be on the suspension when yo align it so the plates make that easy. Get the specs from any service manual and have at it.


[Modified by bluevetteman, 4:38 PM 5/23/2003]

 

Rebuilt my front end over winter and try to messure all before I took apart and tried to set it back when I put all back with new parts.
Took out for test drive and sure enough pulls to right.
Was told that when you have it alined to do all four wheels. Took it to shop and cost $100.00 and it drives straight as arrow down the road now with no pull also when brakes are applied.
I just felt that with new tires and new parts on front end that the money spent for a professional to aline it was just a piece of mind and something that I would never second guess to know if right or wrong.
:chevy :seeya

 

I am a big believer in home alignments. I had two alignments done in different shops back to back and was not happy. I finally bought my own caster camber gage , a laser level and a toe gage. Armed with this equipment and the knowledge how to use it and how things should work and I believe I do better alignments then any shop.
The difference is I take my time getting everything to what I want , not to specs. Factory specs have a wide tolerance and if one side is on the high of specs and the other is on the low side , they are both within specs but the car has too much difference side to side and the car pulls.
I can also play with different specs to see how the car reacts.
A labor of love always outdoes one that is strictly done for cash.
Buy a caster camber gage, understand what you want and start doing alignment yourself. It is satisfying. Might cost alot more the first time but the equipment last a life time and you can say I did it myself.
It is too involved to right up a whole list of instructions but they are out there.
Good luck and I can certainly answer questions if you need help.

 

why would you want to do it when you can get it done by a pro for less than $50, imho not worth the time/effort

 

why would you want to do it when you can get it done by a pro for less than $50, imho not worth the time/effort

There was a discussion this last month where most $50 alignments turn into $150 if adjustments are needed, the satisfaction of doing something yourself is not there and from my above post just because it is done in a shop doesn't mean it is accurate.
For $50 you don't buy much shop time. It is in, out , pay the bill.

 

At Guldstrand they do it the old fashioned way- straight edge, tape mesure and camber/caster gauge. It takes a long time!! Last time I was there it took about 3 hours!$$ But it was perfect when they were done. One of the reasons it took so long is because they drive it around the block after each adjustment. as soon as you jack up the car all your mesurements are useless. You need to drive it a little to settle the suspension back down.

The problem with an Alignment shop is that most of them don't know what they are doing. They just drive the car on the rack set everything within the W_I_D_E tolerance and say they're done.

I just wonder how often they calibrate their rack. And if the tech doesn't know anythinhg about alignments he won't notice if somethings wrong.

That said, I'd never do it myself! I don't have anywhere near the patients or skill. So I pay Guldstrand the big bucks to do it. If Guldstrand weren't near me, I'd find the best laser alignment shop in town.

In my case the best shop like that has a tech that seems good, but when I was having my Maxima done I told him about the Vette and ranted about how he hates doing vettes, and how he'd rather do 10 other cars before one Corvette. Needless to say I don't take the Vette to him!

~Jay


[Modified by Jay M, 2:38 PM 5/23/2003]

 

Quote"as soon as you jack up the car all your mesurements are useless. You need to drive it a little to settle the suspension back down."

That's why I make up those little slip plate. Works great. You can make all of the adjustments with the weight on the wheels.

Also... whenever I take a car to a shop they ALWAYS try to sell you something like shocks, ball joints, tie rods, and when you drive off the steering wheel is crooked or the car pulls. NEVER done right. The firestone shop across from us says his technicials don't know how to do anything except set the toe. DUH!! Most big cities chain shops only have fast in.. fast out.. don't care about anything except taking you money attitudes. Do you wonder why I do a lot of stuff myself ? I have had wheels left loose, oil plugs loose, and all sorts of things wrong. I had a set of tires balanced once at a major chain and when I complained about a vibration at 65mph, the MANAGER said "The speed limit is only 55" if it's ok at 55 we've done it as good as it's going to get" I asked for a refund and went somewhere else.


[Modified by bluevetteman, 6:29 PM 5/23/2003]

 

:lol: Same arguement applies to oil changes! See related thread.... :lol:

MJ

 

Thanks! What a great website!

 

it is beyond me why someone would do their own when you can have it done by a pro with computer and laser technology for $50-$60...and thats a 4 wheel alignment...

 

It's not that easy to find a place that will do it around here. The last ime I tried to get it done, most places wouldn't do it... I guess I need to come to your town to have mine done....

 

Hey - norvalwilhelm,
That caster/camber gauge, does it have a heavy round magnet on one end that attaches to the wheel hub? I borrowed one a few months ago to align my car. This thing was from the 50's - very cool. It has 2 bubble style levels on it, one being adjustable (no instructions included)
The camber on the rear was easy enough, I set the camber in the front, but I had a hard time setting the caster. I eventually had to just match up shims and keep road testing it until it felt right. Toe was not a problem as I adjusted it with long 2 by 4's & string.
FYI - the hardest part was trieing to find a nice piece of level concrete.
My car drives good now with no wander.

Do you have any pics of that gauge or instructions? - I would like to borrow this tool again and try to redo it. thanks

 

it is beyond me why someone would do their own when you can have it done by a pro with computer and laser technology for $50-$60...and thats a 4 wheel alignment...

Signguy How can they do a proper 4 wheel alignment for $50 or $60. The 4 wheel alignment turns into camber only on the back, that is not toe adjustment and in the front caster camber shimming can be extra. Look at the shop rate and see how much time they give the kid on the rack to do a alignment?