Rear Wheel Alignment
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 28
From: Montclair New Jersey
Rear Wheel Alignment
I have a 1986 coupe. I had to replace the U-joints on the back half shafts. When I did this I decided to install my new rear also. The rear was just a swap D36. I must of twisted something because the wheel on the passenger side is pushed in a little on top. The driver's side is straight. Should a four wheel alignment fix this? The car drives fine. I just don't like the wheel like that.
thanks..
thanks..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I had this same issue on my 89 about a month ago, the top of the rear wheel tilted in about an inch..When they did my 4 wheel alignment they didn't torque the locking bolts on the strut to the factory spec, and the strut moved when I hit a pothole...Tell the person that does your alignment to torque to spec on the nut and bolt that locks the camber strut, specs are in the FSM...Some shops under torque this nut and the strut will move if not tightened correctly..If you drive with the wheel like it is , your tire will be trashed in a short time......
.....WW
.....WW
Last edited by WW7; Sep 17, 2015 at 07:05 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 28
From: Montclair New Jersey
Thanks for the info...I decided to go to the dealer. I don't trust anyone around here anyway. I know the dealer is a big risk also. At least I have some info going in there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 28
From: Montclair New Jersey
I just wanted to update my alignment. Today I had an appointment with the dealer. I made the appointment 10 days ago. I also took the morning off from work. I arrive at 8 am, they take the car inside. I walk away for 5 minutes and the service manager comes up to me.....He says they can't do my car because the computer doesn't go back to 1986. I am about to explode.....I say to him...you took my information last week, you knew what I was bringing. Don't you think you could of checked first. At this point I don't want them touching the car anyway. The dealer manager hears me and comes over. I explain the problem and he gives me 5 free oil changes....WTH?? I leave!! I contacted a few vette owners and I was referred to a local shop. I went by, and spoke to the owner. I feel comfortable and have an appointment next wednesday morning. I should of asked before I went to the dealer, I know better. I just assumed it could be done there.
I just wanted to vent because nobody listens anyway....just my dealer experience
I just wanted to vent because nobody listens anyway....just my dealer experience
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
What computer ? 
...You went in for an alignment right? Anyone can do a 4 wheel alignment if they have the equipment.You can get the spec information online..Sounds like they may have decided they didn,'t want to work on your car for some reason...This is why I hate dealerships, they don't know there azz from a hole in the ground....
...WW
...You went in for an alignment right? Anyone can do a 4 wheel alignment if they have the equipment.You can get the spec information online..Sounds like they may have decided they didn,'t want to work on your car for some reason...This is why I hate dealerships, they don't know there azz from a hole in the ground.......WW
Last edited by WW7; Sep 17, 2015 at 12:21 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Most dealerships do have access to repair information for older cars. ALLDATA is one online system that covers repair information and has specific step-by-step instructions, specs and pictures. Dealersships should also have the old service manuals although a tech may have to go look for the books in a storage room or the back of the parts room.
New alignment equipment is computer controlled and there should be alignment data stored in the system. All an alignment tech has to do is to enter year, make and model and the specs will show up.
You may want to go to this page and select "Alignment Specs" then print the pdf file and keep it with the car in case you should ever run into problems with places that say they don't have the specs. Use the specs for "Daily Driver".
New alignment equipment is computer controlled and there should be alignment data stored in the system. All an alignment tech has to do is to enter year, make and model and the specs will show up.
You may want to go to this page and select "Alignment Specs" then print the pdf file and keep it with the car in case you should ever run into problems with places that say they don't have the specs. Use the specs for "Daily Driver".
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
It's certainly an unfortunate experience and maybe you just weren't told the truth. Is this an old established dealer or maybe a recent newer dealer? I was in a shop a while ago and they had newer equipment and some more recent equipment. I was just getting some tire work but a "younger" alignment guy looked to be paying attention to the alignment he was doing so I asked how frequently the equipment was calibrated/checked. The more recent equipment was still on a contract and gets frequent checks and the other equipment not as frequently but he mentioned recently.
I discussed a C4 alignment and the problem was the shop didn't actually have the required shims for the front. If the alignment couldn't have been done swapping the existing shim positions it couldn't have been accomplished.
This certainly is a possibility even in a dealership environment. Service manager said "let's clean the shop", away goes the dusty clutter? Newer equipment and they rolled all of the "old" out along with the hardware? Certainly possible.
OP - if you've something that they can do the oil changes on certainly take advantage of it. If it's NOT a later GM product make sure they actually have a filter for the change in stock.
I discussed a C4 alignment and the problem was the shop didn't actually have the required shims for the front. If the alignment couldn't have been done swapping the existing shim positions it couldn't have been accomplished.
This certainly is a possibility even in a dealership environment. Service manager said "let's clean the shop", away goes the dusty clutter? Newer equipment and they rolled all of the "old" out along with the hardware? Certainly possible.
OP - if you've something that they can do the oil changes on certainly take advantage of it. If it's NOT a later GM product make sure they actually have a filter for the change in stock.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Sep 17, 2015 at 10:24 AM.
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
NEVER TAKE A C4 to a STEALERSHIP!
NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!
Your story is just one of thousands posted here over the years.
Those guys only know what the books tell them and have experience with.
NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!
Your story is just one of thousands posted here over the years.
Those guys only know what the books tell them and have experience with.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 28
From: Montclair New Jersey
Update....This past Wednesday I went to a private shop. I used the specs from the "Vette Brakes" website. I set the car up for advanced street. The car never felt better. The steering wheel is perfectly straight along with the rest of the wheels. They did a great job and I couldn't be happier.
