rear control arms

[Gary S.]

i am currently installing rear arms in a c3 corvette chassis is there an inital shim set up or do i need to have the body installed and start the wheel alignment process

[Terry M.]

Re: rear control arms

i am currently installing rear arms in a c3 corvette chassis is there an inital shim set up or do i need to have the body installed and start the wheel alignment process

If you didn't keep the shim packs or their dimensions from the previous arms, there is no place to start from. Just split the gaps evenly on both sides and let the alignment shop fine tune them.

[Dick W.]

Re: rear control arms

To get the proper alignment, the body needs to be on, fuel in the tank, etc. You can install the arms on the bare chassis and do you alignment later.

[Edward J.]

Re: rear control arms

Gary, what I did when I did my 63 is to get a measuring tape, and just use the center tire tread on both rear tires front then rear of tire( center of tire).just get it to measure about the same or maybe even a 1/8 inch more toward the rear. this will get you close enough to get you to the alignement shop. as for the rear camber(strut rod adjustment) I leave the car on a flat level concrete floor and use a L shape ruler. the one the constrution guys use to make sure something is square. and rest it against the tire and just make it as close to square as you can.

the measuing tape trick and square can be used on the front also.

[Joe L.]

Re: rear control arms

i am currently installing rear arms in a c3 corvette chassis is there an inital shim set up or do i need to have the body installed and start the wheel alignment process

gary-----

Make sure you use SLOTTED style shims. Otherwise the rear alignment could cost you a lot OR you might get an inferior,"get-it-out-of-the-shop-it's-good-enough" alignment job.

Also, you want to use a CORVETTE SPECIALIST for the alignment. Most alignment shops won't have the shims (if they are needed) and won't have the skill/experience to do a 63-82 Corvette rear alignment.

[Gene M.]

Re: rear control arms

Gary,
I'm pretty sure GM set the alignment (shim stacks) prior to putting the body on. So if you follow along the same idea ya should be good. Start off insuring ya have minimum bearing clearance as it will affect both toe and camber. Also rear end yoke plays enters in to settings so make sure 1/2 shafts are biased inward towards differential. First need to set the frame at ride height. Pulling down on the frame against the springs will be necessary. The assembly manual gives the dimensions. Also need to set the rear wheels parallel to frame and square (level works nice) to ground as a start. Movement of shims and cams will get you there. Remember to have toe split about the center line of the frame. I started out verifying and using the frame rails as being parallel to insure the toe is centered about the frame. Long straight edges placed against the hub or rim and frame rails works well. A tube with a smaller tube slip inside works well to verify the toe front to rear on rim to see a 1/16" difference. But it will not insure it is square with frame center line. This is when long straight edges helps to insure centered by having same measurement from frame rails to wheel forward edges. I shoot for 1/16" total toe in and zero degrees camber.

[Edward J.]

Re: rear control arms

Joes is correct, If your car is a one of the C3 without the slots. they can be changes out once the alignement is done. use the sloted one for alignement, Then when finished they can be changes out with correct ones of the same size.It does require a little extra work to swap out.

If you find someone willing to take the time to do a correct alignement you may have to bring your own shims for the front and rear. This is what I did. The align. shops supply of front shims may not be configured as the factory ones were, And generally no one has the rear ones on hand. unless he a corvette speciality shop.