I've had three sharks in my life, and put alignments on every one of them after new tires were put on the cars. But after having problems with a local Firestone store, who said they couldn't do an alignment on my current shark car for reasons I won't go into here, I wrote the corporate office and complained. They had the district manager call me, and he suggested I take the car to another Firestone here in Houston, where their district trainer for alignments would personally do my car.

And a great alignment the guy did, too. It's like a totally different car, and it's so much so that I now realize that previous alignments were not properly done. I think the key is in the toe on the rear of the car. Until now, I wasn't even aware the rear was adjustable except for camber, but I've learned that's not the case.

Now the car not only tracks a lot straighter, but the steering feel is vastly improved at all speeds and the braking is immensly improved as well.

The moral to this story is that all would be advised to make sure you're taking your car to someone who really knows what they're doing and will adjust all aspects of the alignment, and not just the front and camber on the rear. And taking your car to someone who specifically has shark experience is an absolute "must" as far as I'm concerned.

For those of you in Houston, the guy who did such a great job on my car is named Joe Sanchez, and he's at the Firestone at 5300 Bellaire. Plan on leaving the car with him if at all possible, cuz he'll take his time and do it right. Oh, and if you do decide to see him, spray all your suspension bolts (including the trailing arm bolt) down with penetrant a few days ahead of time. It'll make his job a lot easier.

Cheers!
W

 

Be sure to call the district mgr back and tell him this guy did good. I make sure that everytime I get good service I let a manager know. Next time I come back they are glad to see the guy that praised them w/ management.

 

Be sure to call the district mgr back and tell him this guy did good. I make sure that everytime I get good service I let a manager know. Next time I come back they are glad to see the guy that praised them w/ management

I agree with zwede. I will complain if I get poor service but I also praise someone who gives me great service. I have called a number of store managers in the past to let him know both good and bad service.
I also feel sorry for the alignment guys getting older vets in and we expect them to work on the trailing arm shims that most likely are nothing but a pile of rust. I feel the trailing arm through bolts and all shims should be rust free and removable before we expect them to align the car.

 

The timing on this couldn't be better, as I'm close to getting mine aligned. Do you have the resulting specifications(numbers)? It's difficut to find anyone here that is familiar with Vettes, so anything I can provide will be helpful to assure a good job.

Thank you.

 

I wrote the corporate offices this morning right after I posted this, and they've already responded. They replied that they were really pleased, and my mail was forwarded to the zone vice president, cuz Firestone has some kind of awards program for the stores that's based, in part, on customer service.

As for the resulting specs, they gave me a sheet with a bunch of numbers on it, but I'm not sure how to read it. I can fax you a copy if you want. IM me directly via CF's IM with a fax number and I'll get it to you.

Just make sure that what ever you do, you get someone who has experience on sharks and mid year Vettes.

 

My 71 goes in tomorrow at 10, after the winter front end rebuild...
Hope I have the same results friend with an 80 says he is thrilled with the shop I'm going to.

 

I would love to (need to) get my vette alligned, but I don't know of anyone that I trust to do it right. Still researching. There is a Firestone shop near me....but..... naaaaaaaa, I dont think so! :lol:

 

This is why I praise/commend Tony's Corvette shop in G'burg Maryland.....
they are just about the ONLY shop I have ever taken a car to and had things done right....took care of my funky rear e brakes too...Tony himself, some years ago....behind his house yet in the old shop....no compalints, just fixed them....

rare event these daze, unfortunately....

been to many other shops for things like alignments and allways got ripped off, today I do it all myself....

GENE

 

Glad to hear that wendell, CARNEYS COVETTE CENTER
wanted to charge me 180.00 to alighn mine.
I had a complete new rearend and trailing arms. I put the shims back in the way they came out on each side, kinda rode the same, but i knew i needed
to get it alighn anyway. they tried to tell me it needed all this special crap.
I knew it was :bs I do all my own work. So I took it to timmers chevrolet
in pasadena, and they did a kick butt job for 68.00. :cheers:

 

Please fax specs to: (907) 659-4409

Thank you,
Michael

 

In Manhattan Kansas, I got a great alignment (front) for only $40+tax "Custom Alignment Service". The guy had an '80 and many years of experience. I love places that do it the old fashioned way... right the first time!!

I got mine set to 0 toe, -.5 camber and 3" positive caster. That camber setting should be fine for you, crank in as much positive caster as you can get, and something like 1/16-1/8" toe in should be good for a non-raced car.

Their faces light up when you tell them it's all new parts! :lol:

-Chris

 

Hey, Perfect timing. I am about 35mins. from Bellaire and 10 mins. from Timmers (now Monument Chevrolet) in La porte.thanks

 

Guys don't over-look your local GM dealer, you would be amazed at the results or try asking a local collision shop on were they send their stuff for alignments