Wheel Alignment....Hmmmmmm
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 378
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Wheel Alignment....Hmmmmmm
Since I have had my car for 3 years and I just put on new wheels and tires I decided to get a wheel alignment. I searched the area here in southwest Ohio and found a new Firestone store that had all the right equipment with a sunken rack with no issues getting a Corvette on it.
They put the car on the rack and hooked it all up and yes it is out but they can not adjust it properly because they do not have the upper A-arm shims to adjust the camber on the front......I thought this was odd but now after looking for these things for 2 days now I understand!!!
I looked on the internet with no luck..ecklers has shims but they do not
look like what is on the car ( I am a bit **** ) I called the local Chevrolet dealer and they do not have them ( they usually have everything)
http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-cont...1963-1996.html
I took one off of the car temporarily here is what it looks like. Does anyone know where I can get a set in assorted sizes?? Thanks In Advance!!!!!!
They put the car on the rack and hooked it all up and yes it is out but they can not adjust it properly because they do not have the upper A-arm shims to adjust the camber on the front......I thought this was odd but now after looking for these things for 2 days now I understand!!!
I looked on the internet with no luck..ecklers has shims but they do not
look like what is on the car ( I am a bit **** ) I called the local Chevrolet dealer and they do not have them ( they usually have everything)
http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-cont...1963-1996.html
I took one off of the car temporarily here is what it looks like. Does anyone know where I can get a set in assorted sizes?? Thanks In Advance!!!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Their called shims. Take a look at this site. Second one down if for 1986 and I don't know if there's a big difference in years.
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en...ed=0CDkQrQQwAg
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en...ed=0CDkQrQQwAg
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Advance Auto Parts has a pack with several thicknesses for like $3.
Also, I would doubt the competency of a shop that does not have these ... they're pretty common, every shop I've ever been to has had them.
Also, I would doubt the competency of a shop that does not have these ... they're pretty common, every shop I've ever been to has had them.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
Go to a different place. Even if they don't have something to use for shims they can just use ones out of your car. For example, change the caster slightly to use that shim for setting camber. The shims are different in thickness so some juggling around is required.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 8
From: Livonia Michigan
Since I have had my car for 3 years and I just put on new wheels and tires I decided to get a wheel alignment. I searched the area here in southwest Ohio and found a new Firestone store that had all the right equipment with a sunken rack with no issues getting a Corvette on it.
They put the car on the rack and hooked it all up and yes it is out but they can not adjust it properly because they do not have the upper A-arm shims to adjust the camber on the front......I thought this was odd but now after looking for these things for 2 days now I understand!!!
I looked on the internet with no luck..ecklers has shims but they do not
look like what is on the car ( I am a bit **** ) I called the local Chevrolet dealer and they do not have them ( they usually have everything)
http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-cont...1963-1996.html
I took one off of the car temporarily here is what it looks like. Does anyone know where I can get a set in assorted sizes?? Thanks In Advance!!!!!!
They put the car on the rack and hooked it all up and yes it is out but they can not adjust it properly because they do not have the upper A-arm shims to adjust the camber on the front......I thought this was odd but now after looking for these things for 2 days now I understand!!!
I looked on the internet with no luck..ecklers has shims but they do not
look like what is on the car ( I am a bit **** ) I called the local Chevrolet dealer and they do not have them ( they usually have everything)
http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-cont...1963-1996.html
I took one off of the car temporarily here is what it looks like. Does anyone know where I can get a set in assorted sizes?? Thanks In Advance!!!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Any decent alignment shop will have all sorts of alignment shims and these shims are included with the cost of a wheel alignment. Most shims have a tab on the top of the shim to facilitate placing them or removing them (just like the pic of the Eckler's shims). They come in a variety of thicknesses to insure that camber and caster is set properly. Setting camber and caster is done by adding or removing those shims.
This is one reason why you never go to a Firestone store for work. They are feeding you a total line of
Find a reputable auto repair shop and get your alignment done there.
A good 4-wheel alignment for a Corvette or any other car that requires a 4-wheel alignment shouldn't be more than $60 to $75. Takes about 45 minutes to do it right. Watch out for stores that do "toe and go" alignment. They simply set toe-in and charge you for a full 4-way alignment. A shop that has a AAA sign posted should be a good deal.
Did this shop know enough to align the rear wheels too? No shims needed for the back end; just adjustments with a wrench.
This is one reason why you never go to a Firestone store for work. They are feeding you a total line of
Find a reputable auto repair shop and get your alignment done there. A good 4-wheel alignment for a Corvette or any other car that requires a 4-wheel alignment shouldn't be more than $60 to $75. Takes about 45 minutes to do it right. Watch out for stores that do "toe and go" alignment. They simply set toe-in and charge you for a full 4-way alignment. A shop that has a AAA sign posted should be a good deal.
Did this shop know enough to align the rear wheels too? No shims needed for the back end; just adjustments with a wrench.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Honestly ... if I were you, I would consider doing your own alignment. All you need is a 3' level, ruler, and measuring tape to do camber, caster and toe. It's really easy, free, and most importantly, you can be sure the job was done right. That's what I started doing after paying $120 for a 4-wheel alignment the morning I had to leave for out of town, and when I showed up, I had POSITIVE camber. The Firestone shop said they did the best they could ... there were still shims in the upper A-arm. Since then I've done my own alignments, and am glad I started.
Check this out if you're interested: http://www.davidfarmerstuff.com/align.pdf
Check this out if you're interested: http://www.davidfarmerstuff.com/align.pdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
not.
**** is (ask how i know) when you do your own alignment to be sure it is 'dead on', temporarily using those 'horse sith, oops 'horse shoe' shims, then pull each shim stack out, measure and machine a 6061-T651 alum spacer same height as the shim stack to replace the 'pile', but with a center hole (vs slot) for final install...h/s shims have been known to fall out in flight.
**** is (ask how i know) when you do your own alignment to be sure it is 'dead on', temporarily using those 'horse sith, oops 'horse shoe' shims, then pull each shim stack out, measure and machine a 6061-T651 alum spacer same height as the shim stack to replace the 'pile', but with a center hole (vs slot) for final install...h/s shims have been known to fall out in flight.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
Get out of that store. If they dont have those shims, they dont know what they are doing. Those shims are used for any car that uses front control arms, rear wheel drive. I learned this the hard way. All these places want to do is a "toe and Go".
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 378
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Wow.....
Thanks for all the comments. I have found what I needed at the local KOI parts store. Except that I have to make the slot bigger to be able to slide them over the bolts....It is just a good thing that I am a toolmaker!!!!!
I will take my car back there...to be honest it may be partially my fault. I had stopped in to that shop on a Sunday to check out the shop. The person that made the appointment should have told me to have their
master mechanic do the alignment...I could tell that this person did not know too much about cars.....When I got there for my appointment the person at the counter looked surprised that I was bringing in a Corvette. After they realised what a job it was they recomended that I bring it back when their expert was working (next saturday).
They were pretty honest with me so I will let their expert work on it. I always have a before and after print out made when I have any of my cars done. Atleast this way I can watch the tech work and ask any questions that I have....If I had it done at the dealer I would have to
leave it over night and I would not be able to watch it being done...I was assured that their expert is very good at his job.
Thanks everyone for your input
Thanks for all the comments. I have found what I needed at the local KOI parts store. Except that I have to make the slot bigger to be able to slide them over the bolts....It is just a good thing that I am a toolmaker!!!!!
I will take my car back there...to be honest it may be partially my fault. I had stopped in to that shop on a Sunday to check out the shop. The person that made the appointment should have told me to have their
master mechanic do the alignment...I could tell that this person did not know too much about cars.....When I got there for my appointment the person at the counter looked surprised that I was bringing in a Corvette. After they realised what a job it was they recomended that I bring it back when their expert was working (next saturday).
They were pretty honest with me so I will let their expert work on it. I always have a before and after print out made when I have any of my cars done. Atleast this way I can watch the tech work and ask any questions that I have....If I had it done at the dealer I would have to
leave it over night and I would not be able to watch it being done...I was assured that their expert is very good at his job.
Thanks everyone for your input
Last edited by seijack; Sep 12, 2010 at 09:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
I had mine set up for the track and it was about $140, but it did take them at least an hour and they had a Hunter machine which is the best. With the negative camber and the lowering I did it sticks like glue!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
Wow.....
Thanks for all the comments. I have found what I needed at the local KOI parts store. Except that I have to make the slot bigger to be able to slide them over the bolts....It is just a good thing that I am a toolmaker!!!!!
I will take my car back there...to be honest it may be partially my fault. I had stopped in to that shop on a Sunday to check out the shop. The person that made the appointment should have told me to have their
master mechanic do the alignment...I could tell that this person did not know too much about cars.....When I got there for my appointment the person at the counter looked surprised that I was bringing in a Corvette. After they realised what a job it was they recomended that I bring it back when their expert was working (next saturday).
They were pretty honest with me so I will let their expert work on it. I always have a before and after print out made when I have any of my cars done. Atleast this way I can watch the tech work and ask any questions that I have....If I had it done at the dealer I would have to
leave it over night and I would not be able to watch it being done...I was assured that their expert is very good at his job.
Thanks everyone for your input
Thanks for all the comments. I have found what I needed at the local KOI parts store. Except that I have to make the slot bigger to be able to slide them over the bolts....It is just a good thing that I am a toolmaker!!!!!
I will take my car back there...to be honest it may be partially my fault. I had stopped in to that shop on a Sunday to check out the shop. The person that made the appointment should have told me to have their
master mechanic do the alignment...I could tell that this person did not know too much about cars.....When I got there for my appointment the person at the counter looked surprised that I was bringing in a Corvette. After they realised what a job it was they recomended that I bring it back when their expert was working (next saturday).
They were pretty honest with me so I will let their expert work on it. I always have a before and after print out made when I have any of my cars done. Atleast this way I can watch the tech work and ask any questions that I have....If I had it done at the dealer I would have to
leave it over night and I would not be able to watch it being done...I was assured that their expert is very good at his job.
Thanks everyone for your input
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Aligning the front end is no different than any other car that uses upper and lower control arms and shims for adjusting caster and camber. That design has been around since the 50's.Adjusting the rear end is not a lot different than other cars with an independent rear suspension.
Most shops use a computer-controlled alignment system to get alignments right. All the specs are in the computer and displayed on a monitor for the tech to see.
Take the shims back for a refund. There is no way that you should have to provide your own shims for an alignment job.
And to repeat, never ever go to a Firestone store for work. Find a reputable auto repair facility.
