rear offset
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
rear offset
I recently purchased an 86 in great shape from my cousin with low miles. There is absolutely no evidence underneath of any repairs, but the rear is not centered, tire on passenger side is approx. 1/2" farther out than the driver's side. I am very mechanically inclined and can see underneath the obvious shift in the rear. Sway bar clearance/differential is cleary off to one side. Could the mounting bushings for the rear support cause this, as this is really the only left to right support? There are no cam washers on these mounting points for adjustment, which you should never have to do anyway. Has anyone seen this before on the c-4s? Mounting brackets for the rear on the sub frame look fine and square. I have checked rims for back spacing and they are the same. Thanks!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
I have seen this in my C3's over the years, one bothered me so much I put wheel spacers on the one side to even them out! That vette drove straight and true. I have seen it on plenty of C3's over the years, different years too, most owners don't even know it until I start asking them some questions...................but I've never seen it in a C4. I'll check mine tomorrow and start looking at others when I am out and about now.
If your vette is driving as it should, then probably no big deal just like the C3's and if it bothers you, try the spacers, cheap fix!
If your vette is driving as it should, then probably no big deal just like the C3's and if it bothers you, try the spacers, cheap fix!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
It drives ok, until you hit a road seam, then it darts wildy, it has bfgs on the rear and good years on the front, no good, i know but the rear sway bar clearance at the ends, and differential center line is off from the tunnel. I pulled the tranny to install a new clutch and noticed the driveshaft to tunnel spacing left to right was also off. The tires on the rear are oversized which makes it more apparent, one sticks out past the fenderwell, the other doesn't. Really bugs me though, car has 59k on it and is unmallested, but without doing a true pinion to tranny alignment, it's visabaly off. Drivin me nuts! Thanks for the quick response!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
well based on what you describe, lets hear from some other experts out there. My C3 had none of those issues, was just a little off center. Sounds like more going on than I ever delt with. So, some other opinions seem to be needed here..........
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
This is a typical issue with C4's
Its a quality control problem that cannot be rectified.
Ignore it and move on......
Its a quality control problem that cannot be rectified.
Ignore it and move on......
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Common for seeing a difference in how the tires sits in the wheelwell in both C3's and C4's.But it's also possible that one side may have been damaged in a collision and the repair work was done by a shop where somebody didn't have a lot of Corvette experience.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 8
From: Livonia Michigan
I recently purchased an 86 in great shape from my cousin with low miles. There is absolutely no evidence underneath of any repairs, but the rear is not centered, tire on passenger side is approx. 1/2" farther out than the driver's side. I am very mechanically inclined and can see underneath the obvious shift in the rear. Sway bar clearance/differential is cleary off to one side. Could the mounting bushings for the rear support cause this, as this is really the only left to right support? There are no cam washers on these mounting points for adjustment, which you should never have to do anyway. Has anyone seen this before on the c-4s? Mounting brackets for the rear on the sub frame look fine and square. I have checked rims for back spacing and they are the same. Thanks!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
