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Topic: 4 wheel alignment

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


4 wheel alignment

Posted: 8/29/07 8:31am Message 1 of 5
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
What is the expected cost to align the tires. Belle Tire said they do them for $65 but that don't mess with the shims. To me, that doesn't make since. So that is my question, based on T and M, what should I expect from a reputable shop. I know that it is way out but there is a lot of new parts and nothing is broke or wornout.


Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


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4 wheel alignment

Posted: 8/29/07 9:21am Message 2 of 5
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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA
Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560
Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops
I paid $100 for the front end.  The guy did it the old way with the rods and lock for the steering wheel.  It took him over an hour, but it was done right and done well.
 
He also gets $100 for the rear, but he does mess with shims, etc.
 
Hope this helps,



4 wheel alignment

Posted: 8/29/07 10:32am Message 3 of 5
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I think I paid about $130 for 4 wheel on the '74 a couple of years ago at the Chebby dealer...but they only actually did the toe on the front...I marked the shims, and none were moved/changed. I must've had it just aboot perfect to start with, eh?(yeah, right!)
Even some of the 'Vette repair places hate doing rear wheel alignments 'cause they can be a pain.
So...I would expect somewhere in the $100-$200 range at a reputable place.
One of the local Vette places here(Corvette Corner) advertises them for $160 for our club members.


Joel Adams
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4 wheel alignment

Posted: 8/29/07 12:15pm Message 4 of 5
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Newark, DE - USA
Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 468
Vette(s): 1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60
I paid 115.00 for a full 4 wheel allignment & it took him almost 2 hrs. This a a local shop that knows older vettes. It's very rare that they have to touch the shims in the rear. So in the rear it's usuallyl just adjusting the struts. The front can be anything. Mine took longer than usual because I just replaced the entire front with a kit from VBP & switched over to the mono leaf in the front.
Alan



                                               

4 wheel alignment

Posted: 8/29/07 4:13pm Message 5 of 5
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
OK, here is what I got. The original aliengment that was done over 10 years ago was not done correctly. After the front ad rear ends were totally rebuilt it was taken to a Bell Tire for the aliegnment. I talked to Bell Tire earlier this week and they told me they don't do any shimming. Now that my tires are completely worn out, mostly my fault for not taking the car to someone sooner, I checked around and was told to take it to this shop. One of only two shops that "know what they are doing". Ayway, they put it on the rack and show me how bad thinks are. Now I know that some of the problem with the rear may be do to the fact I changed the spring to a TRW fiberglass one and the car sits a little higher then it did but the toe was way out and the camber was out by 3* or more. Atleast that is what they are telling me. I am not one to do things on the cheap so I said make it right. Needless to say 4 hours later and a heafty bill but I am on the road again. And I still need tires.


Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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