Recommend me a mechanic for my C3

[Jimkounter]

I'd taken my 1981 C3 to my local garage for an oil change and new spark plugs along with a few other bits and bobs such as a squeaky wheel. A month (!) later I get it back and they've apparently changed some bushings in the tie rods or tie rod ends which was a surprise and not asked for. I get the car back and there's a huge negative camber on the rear wheels and most of the issues it went in for haven't been addressed.

The garage has always serviced my other vehicles without issue but I think I need someone who's familiar with American cars to take a look.

Can anyone recommend a mechanic who can work on C3s in my area around Chippenham / Swindon?

I'm currently unable to do any work on it myself due to a back injury so I'd like a specialist to take a look.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

John.

 

[Chuffer]

I'd taken my 1981 C3 to my local garage for an oil change and new spark plugs along with a few other bits and bobs such as a squeaky wheel. A month (!) later I get it back and they've apparently changed some bushings in the tie rods or tie rod ends which was a surprise and not asked for. I get the car back and there's a huge negative camber on the rear wheels and most of the issues it went in for haven't been addressed.

The garage has always serviced my other vehicles without issue but I think I need someone who's familiar with American cars to take a look.

Can anyone recommend a mechanic who can work on C3s in my area around Chippenham / Swindon?

I'm currently unable to do any work on it myself due to a back injury so I'd like a specialist to take a look.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

John.

Sorry to hear about your tales of woe but unfortunately your average spanner wielding mechanic will not have the right credentials for working a classic Corvette . With a camber like that do they normally work on Jap drift cars ??? How far are you prepared to travel ? There are all the usual Corvette specialists often discussed on the forum but do not know anyone around your area .

 

[Roscobbc]

JimKounter - sorry to hear about your issues.......hopefully someone will come on here who perhaps lives closer to you and suggest a mechanic with more specialist knowledge!

 

[Forrest Gump]

I reckon they have changed the bushes in the rear strut rods and the adjustment cams have moved giving you the excessive camber. The garage probably did set the camber correctly but the adjusters have moved - probably on your journey home. I must admit I had the same trouble after changing these bushes to poly bushes and after that I just could not get the adjusters to stay locked in position, no matter how tight I did the nut.
John on this forum had the same problem and resolved it by cutting serrations in the clamping washers.
I resolved it by ditching the stock strut rods and fitting threaded-end adjustment type. They’re so easy to adjust and stay in position.
Changing the strut rod isn’t a difficult job for a garage, but getting them to stay locked in position is difficult.

 

[Jimkounter]

Are these bushes visible? When they showed me what they'd done they claimed the bushes replaced were within the rods? They'd actually sub contracted some electrical work out to someone else who instead decided to muck about with my suspension. Bit worrying about poly bushes. I'd have asked them to stick to rubber had I been informed about it. The rest of the suspension bushes are rubber and are cracked , needing replacement I think.

I need some engine work doing as well (the engine completely cuts out if it hits the redline) then comes to life when the revs drop and I want an overall inspection as I intended to drive it to the Alps this summer. Happy to drive for a couple of hours to get the right specialist.

 

[Forrest Gump]

That is correct, the bushes are within the strut rods and not visible without disassembly. They may have used rubber, but I would bet they've used poly as easier to fit and I think for some reason, as I found, poly don't want to stay locked in position.
Maybe send your area Club rep a message asking if he can recommend someone to work on your car.

 

[Chuffer]

Are these bushes visible? When they showed me what they'd done they claimed the bushes replaced were within the rods? They'd actually sub contracted some electrical work out to someone else who instead decided to muck about with my suspension. Bit worrying about poly bushes. I'd have asked them to stick to rubber had I been informed about it. The rest of the suspension bushes are rubber and are cracked , needing replacement I think.

I need some engine work doing as well (the engine completely cuts out if it hits the redline) then comes to life when the revs drop and I want an overall inspection as I intended to drive it to the Alps this summer. Happy to drive for a couple of hours to get the right specialist.

Tops Cats near Aylesbury in Bucks are well known and respected and are 50 miles from Swindon . Also Williams Brothers Racing at Bugbrooke , Northants who I have used and are great guys and well experienced in Chevy V8 engine work and they love Corvettes . They are 66 miles from Swindon . Good luck getting sorted as it sounds like you have had a bad experience .

 

[Emc]

See my post on poly bushes