Topic: 1st Alignment in more than 11 years!
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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I took it to Carl's Alignment and Brake here in Vancouver, WA yesterday and had a four-wheel done, first time since I've owned it at least. (And I rebuilt the rear suspension many years ago!) Charged me $125, but it feels really good, steering wheel is straight and I knew this was the right place to go through word of mouth and I always see muscle cars, hot rods, hot trucks, and, yes, Vette's getting work done there. They ended up having to adjust shims at all four corners. They showed me what they did and pointed out a few things for me to address - a really good experience overall.
One thing he pointed out was the rear-end's laziness and lack of damping going over bumps. I've never liked the KYB GR-2's I installed years ago, and he agreed. I really need something better, especially in back. Would love Bilsteins, but not ready to spend that much. I think I'm going to go with the good old white (Gas-Adjust?) KYB's. I'm going to start with replacing the two in the back first and see how that feels. The front feels pretty good already, but eventually I'll replace all four. Any thoughts?
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Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
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'm sorry....WHAT? Your rear end is lazy?!?!?

"What th' heck d'ya mean ?"

"What th' heck d'ya mean ?"

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Yeah, yeah, I knew that word wasn't right, but I don't know exactly how to describe it. It just kind of sways in an up and down fashion, going over bumps. Doesn't feel crisp like it should. In engineer-ese, I'd say the damping rate isn't sufficient. The spring is the regular 9 leaf, about 8 years old, but not many miles on it.

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
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
Oh....so what ya really meant was yer rear end is floppy!
Your description sounds like the shocks are bad for sure, if it's just kinda floating when you hit a bump/dip or something.
Your description sounds like the shocks are bad for sure, if it's just kinda floating when you hit a bump/dip or something.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Joel, yes, "floats" is a good word, thanks!
John, I've thought of the composite spring in the past as well as the 7 leaf steel (from the Gymkhana option, I think). The one thing I've wondered about the composites: our cars are already front heavy, doesn't removing weight in the rear exacerbate the problem?
Yes, taking weight off the rear hurts the balance a little. The spring is relatively easy to replace, and just the thought of hauling that big lump of steel everywhere made it easy to get rid of it. I like any kind of weight reduction :)
John
1973 BB 4-Speed Coupe Project Car
2009 Z06 Mostly Stock
best thing I've done to the car was to put Bilsteins on it,drives soooo much better
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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