Hello, I have just finished putting my front end suspesion kit in. ( balljoints,tie rods,control arm bushings and idler arm ) I drove it for a while yesterday and i could take my hand off the wheel going 70 and it was totall straight. It would not go to one side. My question is that it is a rule of thumb to get the front end alignment after front suspension work but do you think it really needs it? Thanks Eric
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Re: 72 Alignment after front end rebuild kit.
My vote is to have it aligned by a competent tech and ask for a printout of the before alignment settings and then also get a printout of what the alignment settings are when they make the adjustments. Know what your alignment is supposed to be before you go to the alignment shop. Some of the the computer alignment systems may not have the specific alignment specifications for your 72 Corvette.
I once took my 68 in for a alignment a day before a trip. Drove about 1500 miles. Got back home and noticed both front tires were really worn on the inside of each tire and the overall loss of tread thickness was really evident when comparing the front tires with the tread thickness of the rear. The shop I had taken my 68 to was not one I had used before. Taking my car to another shop it was discovered the toe was adjusted wrong. -
Re: 72 Alignment after front end rebuild kit.
Eric -
Absolutely, have it aligned - the difference in compliance/durometer between the original (worn) bushings and the new ones will definitely change your alignment settings. If you have radial tires, don't use the original factory toe-in spec for bias tires; radials want no more than 1/16" total toe-in.Comment
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Re: 72 Alignment after front end rebuild kit.
John, Do you know the numbers on the alingment on the 72 with radial tires? Thanks EricComment
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Re: 72 Alignment after front end rebuild kit.
Eric -
I have no references past 1969, but I just had my '67 with radials aligned as follows, and it improved it significantly: Front camber = 0, Front caster 2.7 deg. positive, Toe-In 1/16" total; Rear camber 1/2 degree negative, Toe-In 1/32" per side, split evenly across the thrust centerline. I would think these specs would apply to yours, as the components are all the same.Comment
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Re: 72 Alignment after front end rebuild kit.
Just ask your shop to use 1973 and up specs, Corvettes came with radials starting in that year and the specs reflect this.Comment
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