Wheel Alignment Specifications & Procedures Chevrolet Corvette C4

ADJUSTMENT

Note. On vehicles with electronic chassis controls, ensure all systems are functional before adjusting riding height or wheel alignment.

Before adjusting alignment, check riding height. Riding height must be checked with vehicle on level floor and tires properly inflated. Tire inflation specifications can be found on door pillar, side wall of tire, sun visor or glove box. Bounce vehicle several times and allow suspension to settle.

Visually inspect vehicle for signs of abnormal height from front to rear or side to side. Remove extra heavy items from passenger and luggage compartments. If riding height is not within specifications, check, repair or replace suspension components. See RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS table. (Scheme 2)

RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS

Note. For vehicles not listed, riding height between left and right side of vehicle should vary less than 1" (25.4 mm).

RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS

Riding Height Measuring Points. Scheme 2

FWD VEHICLES

When supporting vehicle with floor jack, place support at suspension lift points or frame lift points. Floor jacks may be placed under front crossmember on most models. (Scheme 3)- (Scheme 8).

RWD VEHICLES

Floor jack may be used under rear axle or front suspension lower control arms. Observe the following precautions

1. NEVER use jack on any part of underbody.
2. DO NOT raise entire vehicle at side rail with jack midway between front and rear wheels, or permanent body damage may result.
3. DO NOT allow lifting plate fingers to contact axle cover plate when lifting at rear axle housing.
4. If vehicle is equipped with a stabilizer bar, DO NOT lift at rear axle housing. (Scheme 3)- (Scheme 8).

BUMPER JACK

Bumper jack should only be used if supplied as original equipment with vehicle. If vehicle is not supplied with a bumper jack, DO NOT lift vehicle by the bumper at any time. Bumper jack should only be used to change flat tire.

Note. Always follow hoist manufacturer's instructions. DO NOT allow hoist or adapters to contact suspension, exhaust or steering components. Frame contact must be made. Use adapters if necessary. Lift vehicle as shown in illustrations. Illustration is not available for Corvette.

AXLE CONTACT HOIST

Hoist should contact lower control arms or front crossmember, and rear axle as shown in illustrations. (Scheme 3)- (Scheme 8).

FRAME CONTACT HOIST

Hoist adapters must contact vehicle in specified areas. (Scheme 3)- (Scheme 8). Adapters must be positioned to distribute load and support vehicle in a stable manner. DO NOT allow lift pads to contact exhaust system components. On Corvette, position frame contact hoist on frame rails, forward of rear wheels and rearward of front wheels.

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

ADJUSTMENTS

Note. Refer to RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS table for body code applications.

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: A, J, L & N BODIES

To adjust front camber, loosen 2 strut-to-steering knuckle bolts. (Scheme 9) Move top of wheel in or out to obtain correct camber specification. While holding wheel in position, tighten 2 strut-to-steering knuckle bolts. Rear camber is not adjustable. If rear camber is not to specification, repair or replace damaged or worn suspension or body parts.

Scheme 9

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: B, D & Y BODIES

Adjust front camber by adding or subtracting equal number of shims between both ends of upper control arm shaft and frame. (Scheme 10) To adjust rear camber on Corvette, loosen lower spindle rod adjusting cam lock nut and bolt. Turn cam to obtain correct camber. (Scheme 11) Tighten adjusting cam lock nut and bolt.

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: C & H BODIES

To adjust front or rear camber, loosen 2 strut-to-steering knuckle bolts. Install Camber Adjuster (J-29862). (Scheme 12) Tighten or loosen camber adjuster as necessary to obtain correct camber. While holding wheel in position, tighten 2 strut-to-steering knuckle bolts.

Scheme 12

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: E & K BODIES

To adjust camber, loosen 2 strut-to-steering knuckle bolts. Tighten or loosen camber adjusting bolt, located above spindle next to upper strut-to-steering knuckle bolt, to obtain correct camber. While holding wheel in position, tighten 2 strut-to-steering knuckle bolts.

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: F BODY

To adjust camber and caster, remove dust cap from upper strut tower. Using a fender bolt, attach Adjuster (J-29724) to fender. (Scheme 13) Loosen 3 strut mount-to-strut tower nuts. Adjust camber and caster to specification. Tighten nuts to 21 ft. lbs. (28 N.m). Remove adjuster.

Scheme 13

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: W BODY

1. To adjust front camber, loosen 3 strut cover attaching nuts. Remove strut cover. Lift front of vehicle enough to allow strut attaching studs to clear mounting holes. Cover top of strut to keep metal shavings from damaging strut. Using Template (J-36892) as a guide, file the 3 holes as necessary to allow for camber adjustment. (Scheme 14) CAUTION: DO NOT lift vehicle by suspension components, or over extend the drive axles when lifting vehicle.
2. Paint exposed surfaces with Red oxide primer. Paint area to match color of vehicle. Lower front of vehicle while aligning studs into holes. Install, but DO NOT tighten 3 strut cover attaching nuts. Set camber to specification. Tighten strut cover attaching nuts to 17 ft. lbs. (24 N.m).
3. To adjust rear camber, raise vehicle and remove rear wheel. Using Spring Compressor (J-35778), remove rear leaf spring. Remove strut assembly. Place strut assembly in vise. File lower strut-to-spindle mounting hole, lower strut attaching hole and lower stabilizer bracket-to-strut attaching hole to allow for camber adjustment. (Scheme 15) Install strut assembly. Adjust camber to specification. Tighten rear strut-to-spindle nuts to 136 ft. lbs. (184 N.m).

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

CASTER ADJUSTMENT: A, J, L, N & W BODIES

Caster is not adjustable. If caster is not to specification, check for worn or damaged suspension or body parts. Repair or replace as necessary.

CASTER ADJUSTMENT: B, D & Y BODIES

Caster is adjusted by transferring shims, from front to rear or rear to front, of the upper control arm shaft mounts and frame. (Scheme 10) The difference between left and right caster should NOT be more than 1/2 degree.

CASTER ADJUSTMENT: C, E, H & K BODIES

1. Loosen, but DO NOT remove, one front outer nut and one inner nut from strut mounting tower. (Scheme 16) Remove remaining nut and washer from strut mounting tower. Raise vehicle until outer strut stud has cleared hole.
2. Using an 11/32" drill bit, drill one hole in front and one behind outer strut hole. File excess material from between holes to create an elongated slot. Lower vehicle to install strut into tower. Adjust caster to specification. Tighten nuts to 17 ft. lbs. (24 N.m).

CASTER ADJUSTMENT: F BODY

To adjust caster, see F BODY under CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: F BODY .

Scheme 16

FRONT TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT: A,C, E, H, K, N, W & Y BODIES

Loosen tie rod end lock nut. (Scheme 17) Loosen steering gear dust boot clamp(s) at tie rod end. Turn tie rod end to obtain correct toe-in. Tighten lock nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Ensure steering gear dust boot is straight after adjustment. Tighten dust boot clamp.

Scheme 17

FRONT TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT: B, D, F, J & L BODIES

Loosen tie rod end adjusting sleeve clamp bolts. Turn center adjusting sleeve to adjust toe-in. (Scheme 18) Ensure bolts are at bottom of tie rod and facing forward. Tighten tie rod end adjusting sleeve clamp bolts.

Scheme 18

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT (REAR): A & N BODIES

Rear toe-in is not adjustable. If rear toe-in is not to specification, repair or replace worn or damaged components.

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT (REAR): E & K BODIES

Loosen front and rear inside control arm mounting bolts. Pry between rear control arm mounting bolts and rear support assembly until proper toe-in is obtained. (Scheme 19) Tighten control arm mounting bolts to 66 ft. lbs. (90 N.m).

Scheme 19

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT (REAR): Y BODY

Loosen rear tie rod adjusting lock nut. Turn tie rod end to obtain correct toe-in. Tighten lock nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT (REAR): W BODY

1. Using holes in rear suspension rod and jack stand pad, hook Turnbuckle Adjuster (J-38118) between rear suspension rod and jack stand pad. Hand tighten turnbuckle adjuster.
2. Loosen rear rod-to-crossmember nut at crossmember a minimum of 4 turns. Tighten or loosen turnbuckle adjuster as necessary to obtain correct rear toe-in. Tighten rear rod-to-crossmember nut to 81 ft. lbs. (110 N.m), plus an additional 1/6 turn (60 degrees).

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
• CAMBER ADJUSTMENT: F BODY
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS