TopherAZ Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 I was following the wife the other day when she was driving our 79,and noticed the rear tires were angled in at the top (riding on the inside tread of each tire). What am I looking at replacing, just the shocks? If anyone could point me towards the parts needed and a good place to order them, I'd really appreciate it. Please don't suggest Willcox for parts. Bad experience with them. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccaneer Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 1 hour ago, TopherAZ said: I was following the wife the other day when she was driving our 79,and noticed the rear tires were angled in at the top (riding on the inside tread of each tire). What am I looking at replacing, just the shocks? If anyone could point me towards the parts needed and a good place to order them, I'd really appreciate it. Please don't suggest Willcox for parts. Bad experience with them. Thanks in advance. Shocks are more than likely not the issue on a C3 and what you are describing. Take a "good look" at your strut rods and the rubber bushings, they are either way out of adjustment or they are shot and need to be replaced. While your at it, look at your trailing arms, but that is more than likely not the issue, but they do go bad. How many miles on it? Vansteel is a good place for these parts. GL https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shop.SubGroups&Group=30003 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertdawg Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 You let your wife drive your Vette j/k My 82 had worn out trailing arm bushings giving it the squatty pigeon toe look. Joe at Classic Gold Auto did a great job replacing them and getting the alignment spot on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 Thanks guys! Here are a few pics of the driver's side. What parts would you all suggest from seeing this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccaneer Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Have a look further inboard on the strut rods where you make the adjustment on the eccentric, the bushing may be gone? The strut rods either pull the tire IN or push it OUT. ANY rubber bushing that is cracked should be replaced. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Buccaneer said: Have a look further inboard on the strut rods where you make the adjustment on the eccentric, the bushing may be gone? The strut rods either pull the tire IN or push it OUT. ANY rubber bushing that is cracked should be replaced. ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave64 Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 I'd say replace the strut rod bushings, or replace them with better, adjustable strut rods, spring hanger kits and trailing arm bushings. All the bushings I can see look a bit worn under there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccaneer Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Here is what I did on the strut rods. I got tired of my rods not staying adjusted after a couple burnouts with DRs on the back. I went to chrome moly heim joint rods that I made my self. They work awesome, easy to adjust and give the car a more firm planted feel. I had my machinist make me a couple close tolerance shims and works well and never have to worry about the rubber bushings again. I would also replace those rubber bushings and be done with it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 Looks awesome Buc! I'm not sure I can go as balls-out as you did w/ the adjustable strut rod, but I am going to replace it and the rest of the bushings w/ this kit from corvette Central. Thoughts on the kit? Other things to consider? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave64 Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 That should help, though, I prefer beefier, adjustable strut rods. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccaneer Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 4 hours ago, TopherAZ said: Looks awesome Buc! I'm not sure I can go as balls-out as you did w/ the adjustable strut rod, but I am going to replace it and the rest of the bushings w/ this kit from corvette Central. Thoughts on the kit? Other things to consider? Although you can use that one, I would HIGHLY recommend going with the adjustable struts. You will not regret it. You can even get the rubber bushing adjustable hiem ends if you like, the kits are out there. Try Van Steele. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 52 minutes ago, Buccaneer said: Although you can use that one, I would HIGHLY recommend going with the adjustable struts. You will not regret it. You can even get the rubber bushing adjustable hiem ends if you like, the kits are out there. Try Van Steele. I wish I had the coin to go with the adjustable ones. But the current ones lasted over 40 years and 50,000 miles so hopefully the new ones will too. Here's hoping! Thanks again, Buc and Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted July 21, 2021 Author Share Posted July 21, 2021 Thanks for the help guys. The kit and stainless brake lines are ordered fron corvettecentral.com (I hope they actually fulfill orders, unlike Willcocks). Shocks are available locally. Should be a fun next couple of weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertdawg Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Take pictures and post them to keep this thread going with your rebuild. We love making fun of your goofs since we can’t be there to break things ourselves. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buccaneer Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 If you haven't purchased them yet, have a look here at Duntov Corvette. Struts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share Posted July 23, 2021 20 hours ago, Desertdawg said: Take pictures and post them to keep this thread going with your rebuild. We love making fun of your goofs since we can’t be there to break things ourselves. Oh I will. 49 minutes ago, Buccaneer said: If you haven't purchased them yet, have a look here at Duntov Corvette. Struts New stuff is on the way. Struts? I can't imagine the struts would be bad... right? They are just metal bars. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 Here we go! If all foes well: S/S brake lines Adjust e-brake New shocks Strut rod Trailing arm bushings Spring connector and bushings We won't finish it today but maybe in the next 2-3 weekends. Wife is getting her hands dirty! SHE'S ALL IN! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 Drivers side completion so far... Shock Strut rod and adjustment bolt S/S Brake line Spring connector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertdawg Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Tell the wife she missed a spot… looking good, all I did this weekend was take calls and sleep. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P51tj Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Keep them pics coming...lookin good yall! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted August 8, 2021 Author Share Posted August 8, 2021 Since it's all apart, I went ahead and got the caliper high temp o-ring conversion kit from corvettecentral.com and threw it I today. Also got a new brake line w/ armor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azmotorhead Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Hate to tell you this: the big washers on the spring bushings are on upside down. the rounded end should be towards the rubber bushing. Not terribly important just being critical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Azmotorhead said: Hate to tell you this: the big washers on the spring bushings are on upside down. the rounded end should be towards the rubber bushing. Not terribly important just being critical Thanks for the head's up. It's all still taken apart so that's an easy fix. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopherAZ Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 I've noticed that the rear wheels (in neutral) are very hard to turn. The wheels and rotor are off so it can't be the e-brake, right? No grinding noise so it seems the bearings are not the cause. What elst could it be? I can not grab onto the lug studs and turn it by hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azmotorhead Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 On 8/12/2021 at 5:47 PM, TopherAZ said: I've noticed that the rear wheels (in neutral) are very hard to turn. The wheels and rotor are off so it can't be the e-brake, right? No grinding noise so it seems the bearings are not the cause. What elst could it be? I can not grab onto the lug studs and turn it by hand. Ebrake shoes holding it, or if the rear wheels are at full droop the half shaft ujoints may be binding 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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