Front end alignment question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,746
Likes: 20
From: Boston North MA
Front end alignment question
My left front wheel seems to sit a bit further forward than the right. The distance between the edge of the tire and the fender is off by about 3/4 of an inch, maybe a bit less. I get tire rub at full lock in one direction, when I turn to the right. Left turns are ok.
Car does not appear to have been hit anywhere, anytime and shows no signs of any damage. The car drives and handles straight and true, no signs of uneven tire wear, no shimmy etc. Its a 77 L82 4 speed.
Can the whole front suspension assembly be moved slightly? I know it mounts to the frame in a few spots, but are the holes slotted for adjustment?
Is it possible this either drifted over time or was caused by a tow or big bump?
Or is my frame damaged and I just can't see it and I'm in denial?
Car does not appear to have been hit anywhere, anytime and shows no signs of any damage. The car drives and handles straight and true, no signs of uneven tire wear, no shimmy etc. Its a 77 L82 4 speed.
Can the whole front suspension assembly be moved slightly? I know it mounts to the frame in a few spots, but are the holes slotted for adjustment?
Is it possible this either drifted over time or was caused by a tow or big bump?
Or is my frame damaged and I just can't see it and I'm in denial?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
I'd get a flashlight and a jack and take a good look at your upper and lower controll arm bushings!!!!
BTW.... I'm a C3 owner, and The "front end guy" at a Chevy Dealer
Jack the car up by the lower controll arm .... get get one front tire about an inch off the ground ..... First grab the tire at 12 o'clock and at 6 o'clock and try to wiggle the tire up and down. if it moves have someone elese "wiggle" and you watch to see if the ball joints move.
While your at it put your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock and wiggle, that's how you check for worn tie rod ends and other parts if your steering seems loose.
John
BTW.... I'm a C3 owner, and The "front end guy" at a Chevy Dealer
Jack the car up by the lower controll arm .... get get one front tire about an inch off the ground ..... First grab the tire at 12 o'clock and at 6 o'clock and try to wiggle the tire up and down. if it moves have someone elese "wiggle" and you watch to see if the ball joints move.
While your at it put your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock and wiggle, that's how you check for worn tie rod ends and other parts if your steering seems loose.
John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Definately check those first, but it's not unlikely to have the bonding of the front clip an inch off, that would amount to about 1/2 degree off upon fitment. Somebody check my math cuz I suck at it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 29,702
Likes: 0
From: Sometimes I wonder... why is that frisbee getting bigger? Then it hits me.
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
My 77 has the same problem, after checking everything it appears that the body is just ever so slightly tweaked. It doesn't interfere with my stearing or handling and unless you looked hard you would never notice it.
Bring it to a reputable suspension shop and have them give it a good inspection just to be safe. The above suggestions are very good ones.
Bring it to a reputable suspension shop and have them give it a good inspection just to be safe. The above suggestions are very good ones.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,746
Likes: 20
From: Boston North MA
Thanks
I have an appt to have it checked by the pro with an alignment jig and such. I would like to elieminate the fender rub before I get the car painted and I also may want aftermarket wheels, which would stick out a bit further, making the problem worse.
Its too bad because the cars drives and handles great. I never noticed it until I brought the car to a wheel shop and the tech showed it to me.
Oh well. I'll keep you posted.
Actually you guys never answered the question... if its not the body and the frame isn't bent, is it possible to move the whole front suspension assembly as a unit?
Its too bad because the cars drives and handles great. I never noticed it until I brought the car to a wheel shop and the tech showed it to me.
Oh well. I'll keep you posted.
Actually you guys never answered the question... if its not the body and the frame isn't bent, is it possible to move the whole front suspension assembly as a unit?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
The castor adjustment on the upper Aarm can push the wheel
fore and aft. So, while not slotted to move such, it has the
same effect. You don't have much control over this, unless
you have it aligned out of spec (NOT recommended).
The lower control arm can have a little bit of play to it, where
it bolts to the front cross member. It might be possible to
loosen the lower mounting bolts and tweak the wheel closer to
center. I think I asked you this when visiting, but you have
looked under the front to check for a cracking front
crossmember - right ? This would have these symptoms.
If you're gonna have it aligned at a shop, you might want to try
tweaking the lower arm into place before-hand.
Let me know - I can probably make it over some night after work, if you need help.
ps - how's the vette running with the new carb ?
fore and aft. So, while not slotted to move such, it has the
same effect. You don't have much control over this, unless
you have it aligned out of spec (NOT recommended).
The lower control arm can have a little bit of play to it, where
it bolts to the front cross member. It might be possible to
loosen the lower mounting bolts and tweak the wheel closer to
center. I think I asked you this when visiting, but you have
looked under the front to check for a cracking front
crossmember - right ? This would have these symptoms.
If you're gonna have it aligned at a shop, you might want to try
tweaking the lower arm into place before-hand.
Let me know - I can probably make it over some night after work, if you need help.
ps - how's the vette running with the new carb ?
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,746
Likes: 20
From: Boston North MA
Hey
The car runs the same after the carb install. I am NOT happy yet with the Edel performer setup. Still hard to start and stumbles off idle. I think I may have other issues. I have the name of some local gurus and will try to get somebody to final tune it for me. It drives ok but isn't any improvement.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 29,702
Likes: 0
From: Sometimes I wonder... why is that frisbee getting bigger? Then it hits me.
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by NHvette
The castor adjustment on the upper Aarm can push the wheel
fore and aft. So, while not slotted to move such, it has the
same effect. You don't have much control over this, unless
you have it aligned out of spec (NOT recommended).
The lower control arm can have a little bit of play to it, where
it bolts to the front cross member. It might be possible to
loosen the lower mounting bolts and tweak the wheel closer to
center. I think I asked you this when visiting, but you have
looked under the front to check for a cracking front
crossmember - right ? This would have these symptoms.
If you're gonna have it aligned at a shop, you might want to try
tweaking the lower arm into place before-hand.
Let me know - I can probably make it over some night after work, if you need help.
ps - how's the vette running with the new carb ?
fore and aft. So, while not slotted to move such, it has the
same effect. You don't have much control over this, unless
you have it aligned out of spec (NOT recommended).
The lower control arm can have a little bit of play to it, where
it bolts to the front cross member. It might be possible to
loosen the lower mounting bolts and tweak the wheel closer to
center. I think I asked you this when visiting, but you have
looked under the front to check for a cracking front
crossmember - right ? This would have these symptoms.
If you're gonna have it aligned at a shop, you might want to try
tweaking the lower arm into place before-hand.
Let me know - I can probably make it over some night after work, if you need help.
ps - how's the vette running with the new carb ?
