On to the next problem: C3 rear suspension -- again really that tough?

[Albee]

I'm in the process of getting my '80 back on the road. Got the motor OK - fresh fluids, et.c., and some great carb work from Lars in Denver (learned of him from this forum - thanks).
Next step - correct the pull-to-the-right. I called my usual alignment guys for a 4-wheel alignment, and they tell me they won't do C3 rear end work. I thought that was a bit extreme, so called around - got the same story from other shops.
So - what's the big deal with C3 rear suspensions -- and --

anybody know of anybody in eastern Ohio / western PA / northern WV panhandle who is competent with this work.

My education by hard knocks continues with this car. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

I'm in the process of getting my '80 back on the road. Got the motor OK - fresh fluids, et.c., and some great carb work from Lars in Denver (learned of him from this forum - thanks).
Next step - correct the pull-to-the-right. I called my usual alignment guys for a 4-wheel alignment, and they tell me they won't do C3 rear end work. I thought that was a bit extreme, so called around - got the same story from other shops.
So - what's the big deal with C3 rear suspensions -- and --

anybody know of anybody in eastern Ohio / western PA / northern WV panhandle who is competent with this work.

My education by hard knocks continues with this car. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

you can check with your local chevy dealership. The one i worked at had a vette specialist and he took on all vettes. I would hope all chevy dealerships has a competent vette specialist. :ugh

 

[6880 Mike]

...they tell me they won't do C3 rear end work...So - what's the big deal with C3 rear suspensions...

Usually it's a lack of experience at setting the rear. When I took my car in, the alignment tech admitted he had never set a Corvette rear and did not know how to do it. I told him I could set it if he would read his machines and give a holler when we had it. He agreed. We did it together, and he guaranteed it.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Most shops won't touch C2/C3 rear suspension because 95% of them are a rusted together mess that requires hours or days with cutting torches or saws just to break bolts and shims loose, never mind do the alignment. :ugh Possibly if you show them that yours is in immaculate factory fresh condition they'll agree to do it on a hourly rate basis.

 

[BankOfHell]

Best rear alignment I ever had done on my '77 was at a Firestone. Been taking it to them for alignments ever since.

 

[Peer81]

Took mine to the alignment shop one week ago. Alright everything is almost new without rust on my car, with very little help from my side just some pointers it took the guy (his first c3) around 3.5 to 4 houres. Not to bad I think.

Greetings Peter

 

[hotmtrsports]

I took mine to PEP Boys and it took them 4 hours.

Took it for a 3 hour ride the next day and noticed everytime I stepped on it there was noise and was headed back when somebody behind flagged me down and pointed out that my right rear tire was almost at 45 degrees. I went to nearest place I could park and called the tow company. I figured one of my rear spindle bearings went.

I put it on my lift the next day and found that PEP Boys did NOT TIGHTEN the cam bolt on the right side!!!!!! ad

They paid the $200 tow bill and gave me a 1 year unlimited alignment.

Chuck M

 

[Albee]

O.K. --
What I'm getting here IS, that aligning the rear end is probably really an actual PIA.

With all thanks for replies, and all due respect, I know enough to stay away from franchise stores (Chevy / Firestone / Monro / et.c.) because:

1: the guy who did YOUR car last week, and was a wizard, may NOT be there THIS week.

and

2: either the shop mgr &/or the tech -- is getting paid to up-sell. They KNOW the car is out of warranty. They KNOW you want / need it fixed. They KNOW you really don't want to fu@k around, taking it from place to pace. And, MOST IMPORTANTLY - they KNOW YOU CAN'T FIX IT YOURSELF. IF you let them run wild, they will change parts that they know about, and experiment at fixing your problem, charging you every part, and every billable minute. Not necessarily because they WANT to -- but because "CORPORATE" has instructed them to do so. Their bonuses, or maybe even their jobs, depend on it.

Thanks, but no, thanks.

Still looking for a regional independent, who wants to make a buck, doing what he / she knows and loves to do. I have no problem paying a guy / gal who knows / does / bills what's needed to correct the problem. But I ain't paying for somebody's trial-by-error education, or some regional manager's bonus.

Again, with all due respect. Thanks.

 

[glen242]

I'm in the process of getting my '80 back on the road. Got the motor OK - fresh fluids, et.c., and some great carb work from Lars in Denver (learned of him from this forum - thanks).
Next step - correct the pull-to-the-right. I called my usual alignment guys for a 4-wheel alignment, and they tell me they won't do C3 rear end work. I thought that was a bit extreme, so called around - got the same story from other shops.
So - what's the big deal with C3 rear suspensions -- and --

anybody know of anybody in eastern Ohio / western PA / northern WV panhandle who is competent with this work.

My education by hard knocks continues with this car. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

I am in Western PA, near the airport, and I use a local shop for my 4 wheel alignments. They also let me wander around while they are working on it and have no problem showing me the specs they get.

Last alignment I got was $120 + parts. I do take in my own rear shims as they are Corvette specific. However, if the rear adjustments and shim bolts are rusted beyond turning, you will either pay more or have them refuse to do it.

To show you how precise they want to be, my after market shim pack had no 1/32 shims. They told me to go find some 1/32 shims so that the alignment would be perfect. The car set on the alignment rack while I rounded up some shims from my local rear axle expert.

Be aware, I bought a shim kit from a 'vette supplier. I miced some of the shims and found some way out of the marked specs. Called the supplier and his guy miced some that he had in stock. His were out of spec the same as what they shipped me in their kit.

 

[Albee]

@ glen242

I would like to talk to your guys. I am in Steubenville -- 35 - 40 minutes from Moon Their contact info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[6880 Mike]

...Best rear alignment I ever had done on my '77 was at a Firestone...

FWIW: that's where I went.

 

[Albee]

Mid-course update --

The saga continues --
Found a local guy who said he could / would do just the front end. I figured it was better than nothing, and worth a shot. New Hunter equipment -- looked good on paper --

He futzed with it for almost 2 hours, took it off the rack, and said he didn't have the correct tools to do the front end!?!? Since he agreed to do it, knowing what it was, and then didn't accomplish anything, he didn't charge me any diagnostic time -- just handed me back the keys.

He said that there are shields and brackets that impeded his ability to get at the adjustment points. Does that sound right? Again, I started this, thinking that, since they made C3's for 15 years, and 1980 was towards the end of the run, that all the bugs / problems / fixes would be either engineered out, or at least figured out.

Anyhow, from this forum, I got a reference for a guy about 35 miles away -- HE says he can do front and back, no sweat. Set up an appointment for a week from Tues., after Labor Day Weekend. Will keep you posted.

 

[bagger]

Just throwing in my two-cents worth. After rebuilding my front and rear suspension on my 68, took it to the Chevy dealership. Cost me $220 for both the front and rear and for the last 2 years it's been driving like a dream.

 

[Peer81]

For the front, is you have a cold air intake running on the passender side on the right side of the airco pump then you need to remove that. On the left side here isn't any problem.
Try to find somebody how is also racing cars. They know there stuff and are willing to help you I think

Greetings Peter

 

[lars]

The saga continues --
Found a local guy who said he could / would do just the front end. I figured it was better than nothing, and worth a shot. New Hunter equipment -- looked good on paper --

He futzed with it for almost 2 hours, took it off the rack, and said he didn't have the correct tools to do the front end!?!? He said that there are shields and brackets that impeded his ability to get at the adjustment points. Does that sound right?

Al,
You're dealing with idiots again. The front suspension and alignment process on a C2/C3 Vette is identical to any other GM car - it's just like aligning an Impala Station Wagon, and it requires no special tools. The A/C stuff can get in the way, but that's no different from any other GM car. It's only the rear suspension that is unique (and a potential PITA, depending on rust).

Let me know if you need further info - I've done a ton of C2/C3 suspension setups and rebuilds - both front and rear. You can actually do the rear yourself in your garage, since only camber and toe are adjustable - e-mail me for my paper on this if you'd like.

Lars

 

[Albee]

--running a streak with local guys, I guess

-- the guy who fiddled around 2 hours, and didn't do / charge anything -- he said the A/C system and the pollution control stuff, and related shields / brackets made it impossible for him to get to the front end points. The A/C was modded from R12 to R134 -- maybe the mod is in his way? Anyhow, I've got a guy about 45 minutes away, who says he has done C3's, and doesn't seem intimidated by either the front or rear. He gets the car on 9/6.
Gotta say -- took the car on a dry run past the guy's shop tonight. The engine, with Lars' carb work, runs as good or better than new. It will be a total blast to drive, once I don't have to fight the strong pull to the right, and it runs straight down the road.
I'll post again, when I get his results. I hope 3rd time is the charm, here. Thanks to all for the input.

 

[Albee]

Here, as promised, is the update --

O.K. - took the car in on 9/5. 4 weeks later (yeah, weeks, not days) they got the alignment readouts correct --- BUT --the car STILL had a major right-pull.

Power Steering Control Valve failure was suspected, so a new one was ordered by techs. 1 week later, order cancelled by parts supplier. Found this out, when I called tech Tuesday (yesterday).

I found a PSCV on line in a matter of minutes. Within those same minutes, tech discovered that the existing PSCV "might" simply need adjustment, and not replacement. Couple hours later, got a call -- "Everything Okey-dokey - come and get the car -- "

Rolled up this am -- flashed the plastic to the tune of about $270, took the car home. During that ride, noticed that while the car no longer pulled to the right, it wandered over the road. Also noticed that the A/C (which did have to be partially dismantled to do the front end) either wasn't recharged, or developed a leak during the dis- / re-assembly. I immediately called and advised tech of both problems.

SOOOO, I guess we're going back later this week.

And so, it continues. In April, thought I'd pull the car out of mothballs - change a few fluids, get it lined-up, then enjoy it for the summer. -- 6 months later --

Ah, the best laid plans, I guess.

Should have another update, by mid-next week, I hope.

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

Haha well its not a project car unless time is spent good luck with it, hope everything works out

 

[Koop]

Steering

Wander steering.

My steering box was letting my car wander. My mechanic drained it and packed it full of grease, that was over 20 years ago and it still works beautifully and I haven't touched it since. I understand that rebuilds are available now, but it works great so I'm not touching it. The rag joint went bad a couple of years ago, that made the car wander it was a cheap fix.

Good luck

 

[herminator]

Al,
You're dealing with idiots again. The front suspension and alignment process on a C2/C3 Vette is identical to any other GM car - it's just like aligning an Impala Station Wagon, and it requires no special tools. The A/C stuff can get in the way, but that's no different from any other GM car. It's only the rear suspension that is unique (and a potential PITA, depending on rust).

Let me know if you need further info - I've done a ton of C2/C3 suspension setups and rebuilds - both front and rear. You can actually do the rear yourself in your garage, since only camber and toe are adjustable - e-mail me for my paper on this if you'd like.

Lars

Lars,

I would like your paper on rear end camber and toe but I can't find your email. Mine is hcamp19@aol.com, thanks.