Noticed something odd about my rear end
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 53
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From: Stroudsburg PA
Noticed something odd about my rear end
The title is probably going to be the butt of many jokes (har har)...but I did notice something last night that I hope isnt too serious.
Last night I noticed that the rear driver's side tire was flush with the flare of the quarter panel while the left rear tire was inside the flare of the quarter panel by at least 2 inches. I looked at it when I got home from work and now its the opposite...the left rear is flush with the quarter panel and the right rear is inset. I don't have a camera yet to get pics...It seems that the rear axle/assembly is drifting from side-to-side in relation to the body.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
GillRilla
Last night I noticed that the rear driver's side tire was flush with the flare of the quarter panel while the left rear tire was inside the flare of the quarter panel by at least 2 inches. I looked at it when I got home from work and now its the opposite...the left rear is flush with the quarter panel and the right rear is inset. I don't have a camera yet to get pics...It seems that the rear axle/assembly is drifting from side-to-side in relation to the body.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
GillRilla
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Anniston BAMA
The title is probably going to be the butt of many jokes (har har)...but I did notice something last night that I hope isnt too serious.
Last night I noticed that the rear driver's side tire was flush with the flare of the quarter panel while the left rear tire was inside the flare of the quarter panel by at least 2 inches. I looked at it when I got home from work and now its the opposite...the left rear is flush with the quarter panel and the right rear is inset. I don't have a camera yet to get pics...It seems that the rear axle/assembly is drifting from side-to-side in relation to the body.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
GillRilla
Last night I noticed that the rear driver's side tire was flush with the flare of the quarter panel while the left rear tire was inside the flare of the quarter panel by at least 2 inches. I looked at it when I got home from work and now its the opposite...the left rear is flush with the quarter panel and the right rear is inset. I don't have a camera yet to get pics...It seems that the rear axle/assembly is drifting from side-to-side in relation to the body.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
GillRilla
first thought is safety first
don't drive it till ya get it figured out. Indepenent rear suspension is one thing, this sound scary as hell to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,926
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Take the wheels off and see if the spindle nuts are loose, REAL loose. 2 inches is allot of space. Is it on a flat surface?
I am subscribing to the this to see whats wrong. Dont drive till you get the jist of this.
I am subscribing to the this to see whats wrong. Dont drive till you get the jist of this.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 53
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From: Stroudsburg PA
I'm planning on getting a digital camera today so I'll post pics of what it looks like.
I just got a ton of service manuals I ordered (about $300 worth) so at least I've got some good troubleshooting material.
I have a flat surface in my garage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Rockland County NY
This might sound kind of dumb, but did you try pushing the back of the car from side to side and see if there was any movement? I hope the problem is a cheap and quick fix so that we can begin to make stupid rear end jokes 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Stroudsburg PA
I havent tried yet...good idea tho. I'll try it during lunch.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,807
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From: Somewherein Pa
Hope all works out for you!
Enjoy the ride!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 53
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From: Stroudsburg PA
Car is on level ground. Here are the pics...
Passenger Side Rear
Driver Side Rear
And I'm almost positive that it was the opposite going to work yesterday. I'll take more pics if it changes.
I also tried moving the body myself...I'm decently strong (deadlift 405, bench 315) and couldn't budge it.
Passenger Side Rear
Driver Side Rear
And I'm almost positive that it was the opposite going to work yesterday. I'll take more pics if it changes.
I also tried moving the body myself...I'm decently strong (deadlift 405, bench 315) and couldn't budge it.
Last edited by Gillrilla; Jul 13, 2007 at 11:39 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Rockland County NY
Now that I see the pictures...if it was the other way around before and it shifted to this...PARK IT, you've got issues! I might even have it towed to a shop instead of driving it there. One good pothole or a set of raised R/R tracks could spell disaster. Sorry, I don't mean to p1ss in your cheerios, but you don't want to screw up such a nice ride. Good luck
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Ky
In fact, there is no way you would be able to drive it. I'll bet you have a front wheel on the drivers side, and a rear wheel on the pass side. They are not the same size on that year Vette. Check your tire sizes, that'll tell you something.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
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From: FL
Hard to believe the problem isn't noticeable when driving, I would think handling would be really squirrely. As others keep pointing out, be careful, this is potentially very dangerous. Renting a car could be the cheapest insurance you ever buy.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 53
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From: Stroudsburg PA
One more note...my wife believes the tire positions have not changed, but I could swear that they have...so I decided to look at the pics the dealer had posted...the tires are displaced as they are now...and I've driven the car around 5k miles already!
Here are the dealer pics:
Passenger side:
Drivers side:
GillRilla
Last edited by Gillrilla; Jul 13, 2007 at 01:26 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Ky
If you are 100% positive that the tires (and more importantly the wheels) are in their proper location, then DON'T drive it. I can't tell by the pictures and even when they are sitting right next to each other you can barely see a difference in a front wheel and a rear. But when you mount them on the car they would look just like what yours looks like. In fact, the black brake dust on the left rear wheel looks more like what you would see on a front wheel. the rear wheels rarely get that dirty.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
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From: Minnesota
That is just like kissing your sister. It just isn't right! Looks like either somebody replaced a bad rim with one that isn't the correct offset or backspace. And I can't believe the mechanic or somebody didn't notice it. Take off the two rear rims and measure the distance on the back side of the rims. From where the tire mounts to the spindle to a level laying across the tire or to the ground if you can stick a tape measure through the center of the rim. Looks like one of the rims was a replica for a 84 or something like that. earlier C4's had different offsets.
Last edited by Huntervangolf; Jul 13, 2007 at 01:54 PM.