any good alignment techniques?

[dsastr_clan]

Hello there,

as probably most of the cool kids here do(j/k) I'm constantly replacing or upgrading my suspension components which throws my alignment awfully bad all the time, i understand that by upgrading the suspension it will make my car to be almost impossible to alignment to factory specs but you can still get it fair, i do have the unlimited alignment from Firestone and im not gonna lie they have been pretty fair to me i take my car to get align there prob every 2 months they do a good job but i change my setting almost every week and i hate the hassle for them and me to be taking the car up there so frequently, like for example right now im experiencing some positive toe issues on the rear. I would like to know if any of you guys have develop a good method, Technic to get you car aligned or run decent on the freeway without taking it to a shop.

[dsastr_clan]

anybody this?

[jspaeth]

WTF are you talking about. Putting on aftermarket stuff gives YOU more room to play.

Every single suspension piece on my car is aftermarket except for the LCAs, and I can easily get the car within OE spec on anything.

[enkei2k]

why do you change your alignment specs every week?

[Marc240]

*Blowsmind*
like woooahhh

[omgRWDgoodness!]

Yeah, I was a little confused when reading your post. I don't have any aftermarket suspension components and even I know that they give you a lot more in terms of adjustability and ease of doing so, which gives you no reason to be unable to return to factory specs. Maybe your alignment place sucks? Anyways, I've read that you can buy DIY alignment kits and machines, but that's probably expensive as hell. I also know there's camber and toe adjustment bolts you can buy to adjust it yourself, but I'd think you couldn't tell how accurate it is without going to get it spec'd.

[fckillerbee]

hahahahahahahahaaaa....the good technique is to get proper tools. the bad technique would be what you are doing now...align by sight.

aftermarket parts makes things EASIER....not HARDER.

[jspaeth]

hahahahahahahahaaaa....the good technique is to get proper tools. the bad technique would be what you are doing now...align by sight.

aftermarket parts makes things EASIER....not HARDER.


honestly though, if you have a really flat parking lot, you can do a decent job of measuring toe using two jackstands with a piece of fishing line stretched between them.

And you can kind of get camber using a plumb-bob.

Not THAT accurate, but maybe to within a degree or so.

[dsastr_clan]

hahahahahahahahaaaa....the good technique is to get proper tools. the bad technique would be what you are doing now...align by sight.

aftermarket parts makes things EASIER....not HARDER.

THATS WHAT I'M ASKING UP THERE !! if u ANY use tools? if u do use tools what kind of tools are they?? i don't have any tools to do a decent alignment so i'm trying to do it by sight, thats why i change the settings every almost every week i change it and leave like that for a bit test it out and see how the car drives and then change it again, also i'm constantly upgrading stuff till i get to a full upgraded suspension (if i had the damn money i will do it all at once). I'm just looking to see if there is any bad ass dogs in here that could share their knowledge about DOING decent garage alignment.

[aznpoopy]

full DIY alignment = boxing the car. this is a complete pain in the ass though. see link:

Alignment (http://www.miata.net/garage/alignment/index.html)

as for tools, fancy ass camber/caster gauges and toe plates. but really, shit is a pain in the ass also. search for it on google.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Specialty%20Products/827/91100/10002/-1?CT=999
http://www.racingplus.com/alignment-tools/longacre/dig-caster-camber-gauge-w-acculevel/1362p10530
etc.

[Om1kron]

full DIY alignment = boxing the car. this is a complete pain in the ass though. see link:

Alignment (http://www.miata.net/garage/alignment/index.html)

.

Pretty much if you don't have one of those laser alignment systems or a lifetime alignment from discount tire or something, this is the most accurate and old school way to perform your own alignment.

[Spring Break '92]

A suggestion. Instead of upgrading your suspension constantly and having to realign every time, just do it all at once and then do an alignment.

[dsastr_clan]

A suggestion. Instead of upgrading your suspension constantly and having to realign every time, just do it all at once and then do an alignment.


cuz i dont have enough money to do it all at once :( that link help out a lot im gonna def try that!! i also came out with an idea(at least to check that the camber is equal on both sides) after browsing around at sear's tool section, i found this cheap angle gauge so i thought i can get a bar about my rim size and stick the angle gauge on the center of the bar then just place the bar on the center of the rim while on the car and make sure that the readings of the angle gauge are the same on both sides. i know it might not give me perfect camber but it'll ensure that the camber is the same on the sides. thoughts?

[aznpoopy]

that is basically what a camber gauge is.
What's New Here? : Bergman Racing Supply (http://www.bergmanracingsupply.com/store/images/Caster%20%20Camber%20Gauge%20w%20Magnetic%20Adapte r.jpg)

[fckillerbee]

or put a leveler on your tires and mark the point of which the "bubble" was in. That should give you even "guesstamets".

just remember, string alignments only work if the ground is flat, front and rear wheels and tires are the same etc.

[ericcastro]

..........any bad ass dogs in here t...........

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

cuz i dont have enough money to do it all at once :(

thats understood.

but it sounds like you are buying something new every 2 weeks.

You bought the lifetime alighnment, stop being a fucking pussy and use it.


the reality is, you dont know what the fuck you are doing.
And so I am sure, its pretty pointless to be trying to fine tune suspension with your limited knowledge.

Guys, I know how to add, i just need a calculator so i can finish building this rocket.............

Just have it set for street and leave it.
You are wasting your time, their time, and ours.
There is no need for all the suspension tweaking.
get another hobby to hold you off while you save for parts.