Self alignment.

[!Zar!]

I was interested in who did self alignment, and what you are using for self alignment. I am looking for ways to measure most if not all alignment setting. Also if you are using products let me know your oppinion on them.

[aznpoopy]

eastwood sells a tool that measure camber and caster, with an optional attachment tool that measures toe.

its about $200 for the first tool and another $100 for the toe attachment, iirc.

i think harbor freight also sells something similar.

[mct3351]

here is a DIY on aligning the 240sx

http://www.negative-camber.org/jam149/technical/alignment.html

[Maeda]

String, a tapemeasure, and some chalk.

BE SURE TO DO EVERYTHING ON LEVEL GROUND!

Otherwise you'll end up like me. All 4 wheels with different toe. I had a grand total of 7 inches of toe errors!

[krustindumm]

String, a tapemeasure, and some chalk.

BE SURE TO DO EVERYTHING ON LEVEL GROUND!

Otherwise you'll end up like me. All 4 wheels with different toe. I had a grand total of 7 inches of toe errors!


You can shim the ground to level using vinyl tiling. It is cheap, durable, and thin, so it works well. Also, if you stick two face to face with some grease in between they work like toe plates (the swivle things under the front tires on an alignment rack) to prevent the suspension from binding and giving false readings.

[wickdmarz]

here is a DIY on aligning the 240sx

http://www.negative-camber.org/jam149/technical/alignment.html

Thanks for the link! I got mine done the day before DD31 and came back with my rear driver's side with an awesome amount of negative camber...might try this instead of complaining to the place I went to...

[krustindumm]

I don't like that method for checking toe. The strings are good, but measuring from hub centers on a car with staggard wheels wouldn't work well. I think it would be better if you measured from the ends of the string (in front of and behind the car) to get them parallel, then went from the hubs to get them parallel to the car.

[drift into a curb]

Go to vodie's alignment in garden grove, these guys are old school. they'll set, test drive, reset, test drive until it's greeeat.

I'm thinking of getting the specialty products alignment tool for camber caster. Anybody else try it with lots of success?

[infinitexsound]

toe plates, digital camber/caster gauge, 2 tape measures...

usually when u buy toe plates it comes with 2 free tape measures..

all of this can be found on ebay....
http://i6.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/64/fd/da_1_b.JPGintercomp camber/caster gauge brand, they do have digital ones...

toe plateshttp://i20.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/ca/1d/63_1_b.JPG

[turtl631]

I don't like that method for checking toe. The strings are good, but measuring from hub centers on a car with staggard wheels wouldn't work well. I think it would be better if you measured from the ends of the string (in front of and behind the car) to get them parallel, then went from the hubs to get them parallel to the car.

you could just calculate how much difference the stagger adds

[slideways2004]

toe plates, digital camber/caster gauge, 2 tape measures...

usually when u buy toe plates it comes with 2 free tape measures..

all of this can be found on ebay....
http://i6.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/64/fd/da_1_b.JPGintercomp camber/caster gauge brand, they do have digital ones...

toe plateshttp://i20.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/ca/1d/63_1_b.JPG

i am really thinking about buying these. but from the actual company that makes them not from ebay. How does the camber/caster gauge mount? does it mount to your wheel or hub?

[240trainee]

i am really thinking about buying these. but from the actual company that makes them not from ebay. How does the camber/caster gauge mount? does it mount to your wheel or hub?

I believe it mounts with a magnet, Harbor freight has a similar one for $10 that only has markings for camber.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42496

[Jung918]

i am really thinking about buying these. but from the actual company that makes them not from ebay. How does the camber/caster gauge mount? does it mount to your wheel or hub?

I believe it usually mounts onto the rotor.

[jmauld]

I believe it mounts with a magnet, Harbor freight has a similar one for $10 that only has markings for camber.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42496

This thing is junk. I tried one and you'll have better luck just eyeballing it.

[infinitexsound]

mock up the toe plates to the center bore of the wheel or hub, then u place the gauge center.... thats how u really should get a read out... must be on flat level'd ground....

[Phlip]

Eyeballing it all the way!
... and basic hand tools

... I am down to 3 sets of tires daily driving per month.

[Nizzan4u2nv]

Here is the eastwood one.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=11134&itemType=PRODUCT

Any input? Im thinking of getting this, it will pay for it self within a few alignments.

[infinitexsound]

eh kinda a waste... id rather have toe plates, and a digi camber caster gauge.....