DIY Alignment

[JasonNagra]

I have issues getting alignements done because my car is so low, and no one around here wants to adjust the alignment to the specs that I want for one reason or another. I would MUCH rather do it myself I know where all the adjustment point are and I am t eone who installed the suspension pieces on my car. (pillow T/C rods, RUCA, Teins, etc)

What I was wondering was how many of you do your own alignments and how do you do them? What tools do you use? Any special gauges or measuring devices you employ?

I looked at this http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/polpos.htm and it seems accurate and effective but Im not too sure on what to go with.

Also are those bubble caster/camber gauges effective? Are they very accurate?

Thanks everyone.

[240Stilo]

That thing looks like something you can make yourself. Just set a level perpindicular to a straight-edge and you're set.

[thx247]

we have that unit.


It works fine

but you really need a very flat surface, and some piano wire or something that does not stretch, and is long enough to reach across the length of the car to keep proper tensions on everything. It is not at all easy to set the proper toe imo.

[JasonNagra]

Well just the gauge on its own measues only camber and caster. However the additionl add on piece is what allows toe adjustment. Do you need strig for the camber/caster adjustment at all?? I am really not clear on how this works and what not.

[thx247]

you throw out the arms, and then put a piece of straight metal on the opposite tire. Measure the difference between the front and rear of the tires. Typically you have 1/16th of an inch of toe in. 1/16th of an inch is really hard to measure accurately when you are using crappy tools. This is why the guage is somewhat difficult to use. But it can be accurate if you cut out the variables

[JasonNagra]

Well are those bubble caster/camber gauges effective? Are they very accurate?

[Replicant_S14]

Well are those bubble caster/camber gauges effective? Are they very accurate?

Yeah but as was mentioned earlier, you need a flat place to use it. Better yet, flat AND level. Also, the type of wheels you have determines if it's "hands free" or not.

Looks like a decent tool. Unless it's total crap, 150 bux is a good price for this type of guage.

thx247- those toe arms look kinda dinky in the pics. Do they fold down nice and square?

[RedlineRacer]

how low is your car?

[Dousan_PG]

no one can adjust it? haha
you arent looking hard enough

go to HIRO's auto repair in costa mesa, they can do it and to your spec

there a lots of shops in the LA area that do race cars and track cars. price is hefty at times though.

[Flybert]

There's also West End Alignment in Torrance.

[JasonNagra]

See the problem is Aaron everytime i get a new suspenson piece (often), everytime I raise the car, or anytime i make my own adjustments to any part of the suspension geometrey of the car I feel like I need an alignment, which I do. I would much rather spend around $200 once, and then just do it all myself from there on out. This would save me money, I could do it when I wanted to, and perhaps even at the track.

[JasonNagra]

What about this unit guys: http://www.ikeya-f.co.jp/a-1gage/manual.htm

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by JasonNagra
What about this unit guys: http://www.ikeya-f.co.jp/a-1gage/manual.htm

i like that alot. price isnt that bad too. me and some friends might get it when the USD to YEN is decent. who knows.

if there is one in the USA like such, id get that first of course! haha

[JasonNagra]

Can you explain to me how that one works Aaron?

Edit: Also what is the difference this and the "pro" model?

[Dousan_PG]

its not rocket science
study the pics.

[JasonNagra]

Well it looks like you attatch one part to front hub, and other part to rear hub and then run the string. How does this give you an accurate reading though if its in relation to the rear wheel? Is it assuming the rear wheel is at correct specs, and then bases the front wheels alignment off that? If so then it would be quite innacurate, no? Would this type of a tool also require a really flat and level surface, I assume not but I just don't know.

Wow didn't realize it was almost $400.

[Dousan_PG]

yes still need level surface. how do you expect to do camber on a hill?

as far as initial
i would think do what you do when aligning yourself. set it up first then fine tune.

for me when changing suspension (affects toe) i drive adjust drive adjust drive adjust untilits correct. the verify it all with tape measure to best i can. but at that point (when its as close as i can get it) i take it to an alignment shop for perfection and fine tune..

[Dr. Evil]

DIY alignment can be very easy and very difficult. You must first have an intimate undrestanding of the factors that go into an alignment. I'm not going to take the obscene effort required for me to explain thoroughly and go into detail about every aspect that YOU SHOULD KNOW before attempting your own alignment.

Just put it like this - if you can answer all these questions, you should be able to DIY. If you cannot, bring your vehicle to one of the previously mentioned tuner shops, and have the experts do it for you.

1. Which wheels steer the car?
2. What is the thrust angle?
3. Is your rear toe adjustable?
4. Does camber affect steer angle?
5. Is negative toe the same as negative camber?
6. What steps are involved in mounting an alignment tool PROPERLY?
7. How does CASTER affect TOE?
8. How does CAMBER affect CASTER?
9. How does THRUST ANGLE affect TOE?
10. How much does TIRE PRESSURE affect an alignment?

These are basic - if you do not understand the concepts behind these questions, you will not understand how to correctly attempt a tire alignment, even if all the steps were laid out in front of you.

Hmmm....this makes me think....should I make an alignment FAQ? Would it be worth the time and would people actually CARE?

[Dousan_PG]

Dr. Evil:

i would love to see such
i can answer a confident "YES" To those qs with the exception of a few.

thanks!

[JasonNagra]

Alignment FAQ PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand most but not all, but I'm here to learn!

[Replicant_S14]

Originally posted by Dr. Evil
Hmmm....this makes me think....should I make an alignment FAQ? Would it be worth the time and would people actually CARE?

I'd be into that. I'm not sure what you're willing to do but a car specific "how to" type faq with pics and using common tools would be extra useful. Some FAQs tend to be diluted by esoteric jargon and by the writers need to impress people with their expertise. I'm not saying you'd do that but the slightly condecending tone of your post made me think of it. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way so don't take offense.

I think it'd be great and I officially volunteer to the the test idiot. Most of these guys are pretty bright so if I can figure it out, they can too.

[thx247]

Originally posted by Dr. Evil
DIY alignment can be very easy and very difficult. You must first have an intimate undrestanding of the factors that go into an alignment. I'm not going to take the obscene effort required for me to explain thoroughly and go into detail about every aspect that YOU SHOULD KNOW before attempting your own alignment.

Just put it like this - if you can answer all these questions, you should be able to DIY. If you cannot, bring your vehicle to one of the previously mentioned tuner shops, and have the experts do it for you.

1. Which wheels steer the car?
2. What is the thrust angle?
3. Is your rear toe adjustable?
4. Does camber affect steer angle?
5. Is negative toe the same as negative camber?
6. What steps are involved in mounting an alignment tool PROPERLY?
7. How does CASTER affect TOE?
8. How does CAMBER affect CASTER?
9. How does THRUST ANGLE affect TOE?
10. How much does TIRE PRESSURE affect an alignment?

These are basic - if you do not understand the concepts behind these questions, you will not understand how to correctly attempt a tire alignment, even if all the steps were laid out in front of you.

Hmmm....this makes me think....should I make an alignment FAQ? Would it be worth the time and would people actually CARE?

not many people here are going to know any of that crap other than question 1.

Frankly, most of its not important for these guys on this board

[JasonNagra]

MOST YES, BUT I AM STRONGLY INTERESTED. PLEASE DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME THX.

I went to the book store to purchase some detailed literature on the above subjects and suspension in general. Bought a couple of books and I have already learned a lot. I would love to learn all of the above, and A LOT more. I look at these forums as a place for me to learn along with others. I don't care for all the crap, I just ignore it. I get what I need, try to help others if I can and then leave.

Dr. Evil - are you going to do an FAQ?

[240Stilo]

Dr. Evil can't put stuff in FAQ.

[JasonNagra]

Okay, sure he cant put IN the FAQ, but he could write one up in tech and then it could be moved to FAQ. I'm sure mods would move a thread like that. But thanks for contributing Stilo!:rolleyes:

[climo]

I use one of those handheld gauges all the time when setting up the alignment on our trucks. They work great if you know how to use them. One item that is helpful to have is turntables. This allows your tires to turn 20° easily rather than scrubbing along the ground. I've used wax paper and a piece of cardboard before which works in a pinch.

Like the prior posts, you have to understand the geometry of the suspension to be able to align it correctly. If not you could make it worse and then your tires will wear out sooner.

[240Stilo]

Originally posted by JasonNagra
Okay, sure he cant put IN the FAQ, but he could write one up in tech and then it could be moved to FAQ. I'm sure mods would move a thread like that. But thanks for contributing Stilo!:rolleyes:

Good luck getting a mod to do that. I wrote a long write-up on installing new springs and/ or struts and I could not get them to do it.

[JasonNagra]

Originally posted by climo
I use one of those handheld gauges all the time when setting up the alignment on our trucks. They work great if you know how to use them. One item that is helpful to have is turntables. This allows your tires to turn 20° easily rather than scrubbing along the ground. I've used wax paper and a piece of cardboard before which works in a pinch.

Like the prior posts, you have to understand the geometry of the suspension to be able to align it correctly. If not you could make it worse and then your tires will wear out sooner.

Hey you're in LB? Maybe you can help me do my alignment?

[climo]

but we're not allowed to work on our own vehicles. It sucks too cuz we have everything to set a car up including corner scales.

Once I get my coilovers I WILL bring the corner scales home to do my setup though. Maybe we can have a coilover setup day or something.

Setting the alignment on a lifted truck is a piece of cake but when the vehicle is lowered then it becomes a little tricky trying to get inside to adjust everything. I'm available on the weekends if you would like some assistance.

[JasonNagra]

AWESOME! Ya, setting up coilovers is a tedious job but I really need to do it as well. Let me know when your free and such. Check your pm climo!

[thx247]

whoever it was that asked

when the arms fold down they are...fairly secure. If you wanted to you could bend them and mess up your alignment measurements.

I almost like that japanese guage more than the one we have. Would be easier to do at least. Although I don't know how accurate. String = teh noes!