C2 alignment help

[John S.]

Need some advice on who to take my 67 327/300 coupe to for front and rear alignment. I am in the process of replacing both trailing arm assemblies due to bad bearings. I plan on putting existing shims back in the same position but am planning on driving up to Tahoe for the regional. I need some place in southern California, preferably the Antelope Valley or the San Fernando Valley. Obviously I would like to take it to someone who has plenty of experience with Corvettes.

John Seeley
67 Black/Teal coupe

[Stuart F.]

Re: C2 alignment help

John;

Trust by what you say you will be using bias ply tires. If not, there is a consideration with radials as you know. They don't publish specs for radial equipped C-2's so you will want someone with Corvette experience.

Stu Fox

[Bill I.]

Re: C2 alignment help

There was just a post this week I think, by John Z showing specs for C2's with radials. Bill.

[John S.]

Re: C2 alignment help

Looking for that now as I have put new Pirelli super touring tires on just last week. Exact reason I want someone who knows what they are doing

John

[Bill I.]

Re: C2 alignment help

John, check your email. Bill.

[John C.]

Re: C2 alignment help

John,

I use a piece of string that they use for laying concrete block (because it's strong). Hook it on the rear spring bolt come around the outside of the tire, go to the front tire, make it straight and then you can see if the rear tire is out of alignment. Then go to the other side of the car do the same thing, make the front tire straight so that it touches front and back of the tire and check the rear tire for alignment. Go back to the other side, do the same thing again and you can see the toe in on the front of the car. If you can do the trailing arms then you should be able to do this.... Take a 3 ft. level you can check the camber on each tire as long as the floor is somewhat level. I being doing this way for years.

John
Have Fun!!!

[John G.]

Re: C2 alignment help

Assuming these are the original factory bushings currently installed in your trailing arms:

This was my experience. Likely needless to say, if you haven't disassembled your trialing arms yet you should count and mark the factory installed shims as they are installed on the car, as disassembly progresses. This will give you an idea on how to divvie them up upon reinstallation.

It seems the available newer front trailing arm bushings are manufactured somewhat wider than the originals were. The installed thickness of both bushings when compressed together (after finish swaging on straight mounting tube end) as an assembly will be wider than the factory dimension was. .. You'll likely have some leftover shims after trailing arm re-installation as fewer shims will be needed to fill the 'gap', so to speak.

Upon trailing arm re-installation, in my case, I installed both inboard shim 'packs' as were originally installed at the factory. Filling up the remaining outside gap with remaining shims for each side netted a few extras, of course. I've yet to have a rear wheel alignment done to confirm how close this method is but I believe I'm in the ballpark.

[Ralph E.]

Re: C2 alignment help

Need some advice on who to take my 67 327/300 coupe to for front and rear alignment. I am in the process of replacing both trailing arm assemblies due to bad bearings. I plan on putting existing shims back in the same position but am planning on driving up to Tahoe for the regional. I need some place in southern California, preferably the Antelope Valley or the San Fernando Valley. Obviously I would like to take it to someone who has plenty of experience with Corvettes.

John Seeley
67 Black/Teal coupe

Why not just take the Vette to your local Chevrolet dealer!

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 alignment help

The inside pack is the important one, after that just stuff the outside to fill and LIGHTLY tap the last shim. Put the thin shim in the middle of the pack and tap the thicker shim.

I used the stringline method but I like to do it myself.. Camber is not difficult with a level, just make sure to go around the block and recheck. I made a level surface on my garage floor with some floor tile that will allow the tire to slide when adjusting but the trip around the block is a good idea.

[Alan D.]

Re: C2 alignment help

So Tim, what type of tile did you use? Like that idea - much simpler then moving back and forth.
I have also confirmed John's comment about the new trailing arm bushings being larger. Since I had measured & located all shims and bushings knew the difference. So just took the .25 shims and milled the difference. Now have not done the string to check them out yet since its spring cleaning time, but will verify. Thanks for the ideas guys.

[John S.]

Re: C2 alignment help

Thanks to all for the advice with my trailing arm issues. I have replaced them and did the alignment at home per the posts instruction and everything came out perfect! the tile deal was a great idea! Cheap (.69) non ceramic tile at Home depot did the trick. I also purchased a digital level with .1 degree increments (2 foot) and found a level spot on the shop floor. Camber was a piece of cake. Toe was harder, but with trial and error I was able to get it also. Car drives and tracks perfectly straight! I am off to Tahoe. Thanks again guys!

John Seeley
67 Black/Teal coupe

[Ken A.]

Re: C2 alignment help

Why not just take the Vette to your local Chevrolet dealer!

Your local Chevy dealer only has specs and "technicians" that are for a C-6. In addition they will most likely grease your carpet and leave handprints everywhere, for no additional charge. I know some out there have a "good" dealer experience. This only applies to the other 95% of you.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 alignment help

John,

I use a piece of string that they use for laying concrete block (because it's strong). Hook it on the rear spring bolt come around the outside of the tire, go to the front tire, make it straight and then you can see if the rear tire is out of alignment.

John,

I don't think the string method of aligning either the front or rear can be accurate. If I remember correctly, there's a difference in track, or distance between wheels for front and rear. The rear wheels are farther apart than the fronts.
I don't remember the dimensions but I think it's somewhere around an inch.
I suppose the string method would get the alignment at least somewhere near specs though.