1973 rear wheel toe adjustment problem

[Sascha P.]

Hi all!

Today I wanted to work through the rear wheel alignment process. It worked well for rear right wheel but not for the left rear wheel.

As it turns out, even with all shims inserted toe is 'out'.

I created a line that was parallel to the frame. From that line I measured to the rear end of the wheel and to the front end of the wheel. To my surprise I was not able to 'toe in' the wheel.

After looking through my rear end I got almost depressed because I have no idea what to do.

Thanks for any ideas, do not hesitate to come back with any question you may have,
Sascha

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 rear wheel toe adjustment problem

Over the last few days I measured all kinds of components of the rear suspension. I also re-read the assembly manual. Currently I believe my problem is related to the body sitting too high. The 10-leaf spring seems to be too strong and pushes the body up.

To test this I will remove one or two leafs of the spring, check if the car sits lower and if the tire is pushed out further so that I can adjust toe.

If anyone here has experience the corvettes sitting too high, please share with me how you tackled that problem.

[David H.]

Re: 1973 rear wheel toe adjustment problem

Hi all!

Today I wanted to work through the rear wheel alignment process. It worked well for rear right wheel but not for the left rear wheel.

As it turns out, even with all shims inserted toe is 'out'.

I created a line that was parallel to the frame. From that line I measured to the rear end of the wheel and to the front end of the wheel. To my surprise I was not able to 'toe in' the wheel.

After looking through my rear end I got almost depressed because I have no idea what to do.

Thanks for any ideas, do not hesitate to come back with any question you may have,
Sascha

Sascha

Wheel on or off your car?

Car suspended (jack stands)?

Trailing Arm at ride height?

Van Steel's Suspension Video has a procedure for rough alignment, but that is with body off

Dave

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 rear wheel toe adjustment problem

Dave,

I tried with wheels on and off. When on, they were sitting on sliding plates (if that is the right term). When measuring the height to the wheel well from ground, I measured 31 inches. According to the assembly manual that should be at around 28 inches. Hm, if the trailing arm is at ride hight, I am not sure.
But I also measured the height difference of the ends of the struts and that was about 4 inches instead of 2.48.
I hope this helps. Will try to find that video now. Thanks.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1973 rear wheel toe adjustment problem

There is considerable rear toe change as the suspension moves within it's range of jounce and rebound. Recommended toe specs are with the ride height in the normal range, so you have to correct your ride height issues before you can make valid toe measurements.

I have no idea what spring you have, but instead of trying to make it work by removing leaves, maybe you should just scrape it and look for a proper and serviceable '73 rear spring.

Duke

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 rear wheel toe adjustment problem

Hello Duke!

Yes, I will replace the leaf spring, but for now I just want to test a little and see if a different ride hide allows me to set the toe. I want to make sure there is no other problem.

Today I will tackle the ride hide and see where it goes.

I will keep you updated!

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 rear wheel toe adjustment problem

Yesterday I removed the leaf spring and lowered the car with my hydraulic jack down to the ride height as specified in the assambly manual. With that I was only able to get the rear left tire straight but but toe in did not work.
I then removed two springs from my 9 leaf spring and the car sat slightly higher that on the jack.
Now I really do not know where to go from here.
Attached is an image that shows the car on the spring and on the jack.
20210706_232149.jpg