Topic: Alignment Problem Help
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Evansville`, IN - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1972 Convertible, ontario orange, ps/pb/pw/air conditioning and 31,000 original miles.
I'm 2.5 years into a frameoff restoration. Today I took my 72 convertible in to have the car aligned. Both front and rear. I was told the car had been wrecked and the repair was not good. My right front tire is out 3 degrees (I believe that's what he said) out, even after shims had taken the nut out to the end of the bolt. My alignment guy would not recommend placing a longer bolt in the top control arm to bring the tire (moving the top of my tire inward) into alignment. Said he wasn't sure it would be safe using that long of bolt.
He said he had a frame guy recommend the best thing to do is take the front clip off and cutting the frame and redoing it correctly. Not real excited about this idea. Not only the cost but the time.
Has anyone had this problem? Has anyone used a longer bolt to allow for additional shims to bring the upper control into alignment....
Thanks. I'm sick with the thought of having to tear this thing apart again. It's painted, interior in and ready to drive.
David
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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The frame can get bent out of shape, for sure. Could be from a wreck, or even some hard driving.
I have heard of, and seen, some "off-set" upper control arm shafts, that would allow more camber adjustments for the top. Can't remember where I've seen them advertised, but they are out there. Might be something from Vette Brakes(VBP), but I'm just not sure. A search might find more info...
Adams' Apple 2010-08-28 08:24:33
I have heard of, and seen, some "off-set" upper control arm shafts, that would allow more camber adjustments for the top. Can't remember where I've seen them advertised, but they are out there. Might be something from Vette Brakes(VBP), but I'm just not sure. A search might find more info...
Joel Adams
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Assuming you trust this alignment guy, how did he do the alignment. I've had shops tell me the same but the guy that the older vettes use (Mark @ Modern Wheel) uses the old stick method. Takes him forever but it handles like a dream when he is through.
Might get a second opinion (especially since his buddy just happens to have a frame machine...)
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
When I rebuilt my front suspension I ran into the same thing. The guy doing the alignment said that he has seen this issue from time to time on the old vetts. He said it was from age and use. He said frame shops can bend them back into shape or go with the offset upper control arm shaft. I went with the offset upper control arm shaft. Corvette Central has them #572016
Former Member
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Evansville`, IN - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1972 Convertible, ontario orange, ps/pb/pw/air conditioning and 31,000 original miles.
thanks eveyone. The offset upper control arm shaft sound like a winner and I have thought of some other mods. Feel a lot better. David
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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