Topic: Rivets on front left frame located in the wheel well
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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I just put my 77 on jacks as I plan to do a lot of brake and suspension work. I noticed that when I took the wheels off located on the left front frame (inside the wheel well) just behind the brake area there are two rivets. I looked on the right front side and they are not there.
My question is this ... why are they only on the left side? The tires and rims that I just took off are the original rally and the left tire looked like it was hitting those rivets when you turned the tires to the left as far as they would go. Seems like a really stupid design.
Any thoughts?
Thanx!
77 Red Corvette 
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Anni, if you are talking about the left (driver side), towards the backside of the fender well...........it would be the two carriage bolts that holds your steering box on.............I hope this might help. Take care, Larry
corvette440hp
Thanx Larry for your help. Now just need to figure out a way to hopefully stop the wheels from hitting them ever so slightly when turning fully towards the left.
Anni "77 Red Corvette"
Lifetime MemberModerator
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
Are these the original, or original sized tires? If so, they shouldn't be rubbing there to start with. There are a couple of things that could cause it...
One thing is there might have been some frame damage somewhere along the line...
The other thing is, the "stops" on the lower control arms may be worn, and allowing the spindle to turn farther than it should. This is most likely the issue with yours, as it is fairly common to see a lot of wear on them. The stops are part of the lower control arms, and as the steering is turned hard to the stops, it tends to wear down the metal on the control arms...the more wear, the more it will allow the steering to turn past where it should, and then the tires may start rubbing.
I have some pics somewhere...I'll look and see can I find them...
One thing is there might have been some frame damage somewhere along the line...
The other thing is, the "stops" on the lower control arms may be worn, and allowing the spindle to turn farther than it should. This is most likely the issue with yours, as it is fairly common to see a lot of wear on them. The stops are part of the lower control arms, and as the steering is turned hard to the stops, it tends to wear down the metal on the control arms...the more wear, the more it will allow the steering to turn past where it should, and then the tires may start rubbing.
I have some pics somewhere...I'll look and see can I find them...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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