Hi guys, I have a 1985 Corvette and I need a wheel alignment. I went to a guy today and he couldn't do it because he had to spin each wheel one at a time to calibrate the sensors, and my rear is apparently a posi so when he spun the rear wheel, it spun the other side also and messed up the calibration. Some high tech machine huh?

Anyway, I'd like to go to a franchise who is capable of doing an alignment on a short arm long arm suspension using shims and somewhere that can do posi rear equipped vehicles.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Short arm long arm suspension and posi rear are on millions of vehicles. Any competent shop should be able to align it.

Sorry, but no recommendation in your area, but find a new shop.

Good luck.

 

I would ask local Corvette or SCCA members who they recommend. Alignment is one of the more precise type services. So finding someone really good can be tough. You need to base your search on the tech vs the shop. Don't be surprised it cost more than the "standard" 4 wheel alignment.

 

Never heard of that!!! I have never had any issues with getting a 4 wheel alignment on any C3-C5 I have owned on and high tech or low tech machine.

I agree take it to another place and ask them first if the are capable of doing it.

 

If you were going to a newer facility I might ask if they have the appropriate shims for the front. A newer shop just might not. An interesting question is also maybe how frequently the equipment is 'calibrated".

You might also before you go to an alignment shop check the shims that are there in each position. Record the number and the thicknesses at each location. Upper arm bolts are 12mm. That could become important. Always ask for a print out of the specifications at start and then the completed. Compare the FSM specs to that of their alignment documents maybe before start.

Seems like a lot of questions but if you don't know someone it's wise to ask. I think you mentioned an instructor in a vocational training program. They might actually be familiar with quality shops, they may have placed students in shops.

You need to plan on it NOT being inexpensive unless it's pretty much "right on" as presented or how critical you want to be on the specs that are accomplished. The more critical you plan on being the more it could cost!

 

The front end specs on your '85 probably calls for 3 deg. caster. I'd recommend you consider 5 deg. caster. Later 'vette's went to 5, and I went that way on my '84, and I like it better than 3 deg.

I'd welcome comments from others on this change!

 

Any shop with a HUNTER ALIGNING MACHINE is recommended.
It still takes a trained operator, but the HUNTER makes the task
much easier, and more reliable.

 

I have been taking my car to a shop that has been in the same family for two generations. The guy told me he doesn't trust the computer alignment machine and only uses it for mini-van type alignments because it's fast and gets the alignment close enough.

He does my alignments the "old way". He aligns the front first and then backs the car onto the alignment rack and does the back "backwards" (toe in becomes toe out, etc.). He charged me $100 for a 4 wheel alignment.

 

This is good advice for the early cars. I used hardened 1/2" washers instead of shims, it took awhile to get the caster/camber set. But I don't have to worry about the shims falling out. I've seen some C4s with a thick stack of shims.

 

That's pretty extreme but I understand it. On my earlier TransAm with Herb Adams components we "wired" the shim stack. Never felt the need for the C4 but if a person were concerned or if it were a "competitive" build it would certainly be something to consider.

 

Never had any issues with my shop doing alignments on my '87. I had supplied custom autocross alignment numbers from Vette Brakes last time and it was easy for them to do. Nothing was said about positraction diffs. Our shop has a Hunter alignment rack and the computer is checked twice a year for accuracy and the service people apply updates as needed.

There is a monitor for each wheel and it will display alignment values in real time. I have Banski components in the rear so it's a simple matter to make changes.

And I would stay away from the franchise stores like Firestone, Sears, or Wal-Mart. Many of these stores may do what's called a "toe and go"; just set toe in front and ignore the rest of the settings. You pay the full fprice for an alignment but get maybe 10 minutes worth of work. Find a reputable shop with an experienced tech and good equipment like a Hunter machine.

Here's a link to the Vette Brakes alignment specs. The "Daily Driver" specs for C4's are slightly different than the factory specs. The Advanced Street spec will definitel help with handling but you may find the car will "grab" at ruts in the road or over uneven surfaces.

Before you do an alignment, make sure that the tie rod ends, ball joints, and bushings are in good condition. An alignment may be worthless if suspension components are badly worn. And remember that many franchise shops will try to sell you suspension work that may not be needed.

 

Yikes!

What you got was a 2 wheel "toe set" alignment twice.

I don't know about adding 2 degrees to the caster, seems like a lot, and may cause the steering to wander or not return to its "center" by nature.

 

Larry, adding 2 deg. caster improves the self centering of the steering, and reduces the tendancy to wander on uneven pavement. That is exactly why I'm recommending this change. The 5 deg. caster is not too much. The steering is very smooth, and not heavy at all, and high speed handling is excellent. I can keep up with the big boys in the corners!

Has anyone tried the 5 deg. caster and been unhappy with it?