Need some advice please help!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
Need some advice please help!
Okay so a few weeks back my c5 lost control around a curve and end result was whole drive side slammed into a side walk. Now the rear of my car is dog tracking or crab walking, those of you who don't know that reference it means the front is going straight but the rear looks like im drifting. Now the rear drive wheel is pushed way towards to driver door camber is definitely off. Now to my question what would I be looking for to diagnose this issues? I have bought a whole rear driver side suspension assembly already. How ever I need to know what normally causes this "dog tracking" in the first place and find out if I can even afford to fix it asap I really want to enjoy the summer with my vette any and all help will be very appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 760
Likes: 242
From: All Over The Place
Have you had it aligned before? If so, do you have the print-out of the results? Take it back and have a 4 wheel shot on the car again. There are so many items that could be working together to throw the car out (yes the camber stands out but there are the mounts, control arms, wheel bearings, etc). Depending on force and the inertia running through the components, while the other side was not directly accosted in the hit, there could be some minor issues/insignificant damage as well-not apparent to the naked eye.
Bottom line, get the car up in the air for a 4 wheel alignment and go from there.
Bottom line, get the car up in the air for a 4 wheel alignment and go from there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,021
Likes: 727
Jmo I thinks he's beyond that. Buddy did the same thing. He brought it to a body shop that straighten frames. They should tell u if its savable. They saved his.
I still see cars and trunks drive like that on the road.
Im not dissing above but it sounds like you want this done yesterday. If u check frame and all is good u know your in the right direction. If you start throwing parts at it you might fix it before retirement. If your not retired already.
I still see cars and trunks drive like that on the road.
Im not dissing above but it sounds like you want this done yesterday. If u check frame and all is good u know your in the right direction. If you start throwing parts at it you might fix it before retirement. If your not retired already.
Last edited by helga203; Jun 6, 2021 at 10:26 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
Fundamentally - I agree with helga203 & RtStuf. Something is likely bent.
You say the rear wheel is pushed "WAY Towards the Driver door". That's not alignment, that's almost certainly bent metal). It might be a suspension component (or two), it might be the frame, it might be both.
IMHO - you can go one of two ways. If it was me - I would start from square one. First get the frame checked - if it's bent - it may well be straightenable. Once you know the frame is OK - then you need to check every single component to see if they are "straight" or if they are "bent". The good news is that you now have another set of components to check things against - or you can just replace everything (I would install new "wear parts" on any used rear suspension components before you spend time bolting them on the car). The other option is to just rip off your entire rear suspension and install the stuff you bought -but if the frame is bent - you've done a lot of work, and you still have the problem.
You say the rear wheel is pushed "WAY Towards the Driver door". That's not alignment, that's almost certainly bent metal). It might be a suspension component (or two), it might be the frame, it might be both.
IMHO - you can go one of two ways. If it was me - I would start from square one. First get the frame checked - if it's bent - it may well be straightenable. Once you know the frame is OK - then you need to check every single component to see if they are "straight" or if they are "bent". The good news is that you now have another set of components to check things against - or you can just replace everything (I would install new "wear parts" on any used rear suspension components before you spend time bolting them on the car). The other option is to just rip off your entire rear suspension and install the stuff you bought -but if the frame is bent - you've done a lot of work, and you still have the problem.
