Alignment opinions.....please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 837
Likes: 3
From: Texas
Alignment opinions.....please
I had my all stock 74 aligned today. Everything looks good to me except the rear toe. The service manual says 1/16" in ......per wheel....the alignment guys info said 1/32" min..... 3/32" max per wheel. When all was said and done I have 5/32" per wheel. He said this is as close as he could get with the TA shims that were on the car. So....the question is....should I leave this as is?? I'm not familiar enough with this stuff to know if the 5/32" is way out of bounds.
As always.....all replies are much appreciated.
As always.....all replies are much appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I need my alignment done and have not yet found a shop that I trust... I would think it's just pure lazyness when he leaves it 'close to good enough'. They don't have any shims to put in there ? Poor shop...
I'd buy the SS shim kit and go back there and tell them that the car doesn't feel right after they did the alignment and tell them to do it right this time.
Ask the right people for the specs - VBP and let them fax you something so you can take it to that alignment shop.
I'd buy the SS shim kit and go back there and tell them that the car doesn't feel right after they did the alignment and tell them to do it right this time.
Ask the right people for the specs - VBP and let them fax you something so you can take it to that alignment shop.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
lets keep this in perspective.....i spent 3,000 dollars for a perfect alignment. go to VBP catalog they list specs see if it falls within there ranges....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
lets keep this in perspective.....i spent 3,000 dollars for a perfect alignment. go to VBP catalog they list specs see if it falls within there ranges....
How would you feel if you want to get your wheels balanced and they tell you that they cannot get it better because they don't have weights to add ???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 837
Likes: 3
From: Texas
Thanks for the replies...I actually took the VB&P catalog with me for him to reference. VB&P calls for 1/8" TOTAL or 1/16" per wheel (as I understand it from their specs). The TA toe shims are probably not seen very often in a small town alignment shop. BTW.....I took this in after redoing both rear spindles and all new strut rod bushings. The initial readings on the rear toes were +.75 on one side and -.35 on the other. I marked the strut rod cam bolts and reinstalled them back to the marks. 
So you guys think I should get some shims and have it brought back closer to specs?
So you guys think I should get some shims and have it brought back closer to specs?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I'll dig my spec books out and look up the Corvette numbers. I used to work for Hunter Engineering, and I can align anything from an Escort to a semi truck and trailer with the right equipment.
update:
'68-'74 rear toe: 1/8" +- 1/16" These numbers were developed for bias-ply tires - that's a LOT of toe.
'75-'76 rear toe: 1/16" +- 1/32"
'77-'78 rear toe: 0" +- 1/32"
'79 rear toe: 3/32" +- 1/32" (wasn't '79 the first year for stock radials and the last year for the old-design rear suspension? If so, these are the numbers I would aim for, assuming you have radial tires.)
'80-'82 rear toe: 1/16" +- 1/16"
I hope this helps. Now you just need to find a shop with a 4-wheel Hunter WinAlign system using the optical sensors.
(There are a few things I miss about that place - like being able to do my own alignments on top-of-the-line equipment. 
)
update:
'68-'74 rear toe: 1/8" +- 1/16" These numbers were developed for bias-ply tires - that's a LOT of toe.
'75-'76 rear toe: 1/16" +- 1/32"
'77-'78 rear toe: 0" +- 1/32"
'79 rear toe: 3/32" +- 1/32" (wasn't '79 the first year for stock radials and the last year for the old-design rear suspension? If so, these are the numbers I would aim for, assuming you have radial tires.)
'80-'82 rear toe: 1/16" +- 1/16"
I hope this helps. Now you just need to find a shop with a 4-wheel Hunter WinAlign system using the optical sensors.
(There are a few things I miss about that place - like being able to do my own alignments on top-of-the-line equipment. )
Last edited by I'm Batman; Nov 5, 2004 at 11:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 837
Likes: 3
From: Texas
Thanks for all the input......and batman I think you have a point about radials on the 79. I'm assuming that 3/32 +- 1/32 (1/8" max) is per side and not total? If so then I'm still too far toed in by 1/32". Am I splitting hairs here or should I correct this?????. Since I know where it is now I'm thinking I can make or buy shims and bump these things back out myself. Everything else is dead on.
Last edited by goinbroke; Nov 5, 2004 at 11:33 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Goinbroke, those are total toe numbers (both sides combined). For each individual side, divide the spec in half. I'm not sure on the radial tire thing, I'll check my '77 owner's manual to see what it had originally.
And as long as your alignment fits into the range, you should be okay. Obviously, you want to be as close to the center as possible, but anything between 1/16" and 1/8" will be okay (using the '79 spec).
And as long as your alignment fits into the range, you should be okay. Obviously, you want to be as close to the center as possible, but anything between 1/16" and 1/8" will be okay (using the '79 spec).
Last edited by I'm Batman; Nov 6, 2004 at 02:17 AM.
