Thoughts on DIY home, street car alignment?

After having to hop underneath with straightedge and tape measure to fix the rear toe of the last alignment I had done, I'm thinking of buying a (Longacre) caster/camber gauge and set of toe plates and doing it myself from now on.

I'm looking for those EXPERIENCED with doing home, street car alignment and what your thoughts are in doing so. Other than difficult access in reaching some adjustment bolts, anything I'm overlooking?

Thanks in advance

That is exactly the equipment I have and noone does my alignments but me. One important part is to have as close to a flat, level floor as possible. I don't have turn plates yet, but someone tipped me off to some wax paper years ago, and that helps make things easier. I watch my tire wear and make adjusments accordingly. Some string and a few jackstands also help. Larry McReynolds covers the method in his book "How To Become A Winning Crew Chief". My daily driver hasn't seen an alignment shop in over 15 years and tires last a long time.

I made steer plates for about $20: I went to the local steel supplier and bought four pieces of maybe .125" stainless, about 10"X10". Simply put a half-dollar-sized splotch of motor oil between two, and presto chango, turn plates. I should have made some for the rear as well to eliminate the need for rolling. You'll still need to bounce the suspension to overcome "stiction" in your bushings.

However, I did one garage alignment and measuring caster was difficult and I couldn't get good accuracy. I got fed up and found a local shop who let me use his laser alignment machine for a flat fee. It wasn't cheap but he let me take the time to chase the nth degree.

David

I do it all the time on my race car at home. It is accurate, easy but time consuming and a little repetitive and annoying. I do it that way to save $ because I change things a lot to fiddle and because its even more irritating to try to explain why I might want to be in the driver seat up on the rack or why an E30 might need -3.6 camber and .25" of toe out.

I have marks on the chassis for where to hang a plumb bob and so on as well as some home made toe tools to make the job easier. My iPhone and a straight edge make a great camber/caster gauge.

When it comes to my street cars and tow vehicle... I couldn't be bothered. I drive it to the local garage with the frame straightener and Hunter rack (figuring there is at least one guy there who knows what he is doing) and let him wrestle with it for $50.

Pray tell, how does one use an iPhone for a caster/ camber guage?

i bought a cheap caster/camber gauge and do it myself with a couple coffee cans, boards, and tape measures. i did my 54 about 5 years ago, it goes down the road straight, does not pull, feels comfortable and safe at 100+(at the track.....) and my tires are wearing totally even.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: My iPhone and a straight edge make a great camber/caster gauge.

earlier this week i was thinking about this.....I have a level app on my droid based phone that can take measurements like this and thought....maybe I can learn to tweak my own alignment and get it to match camber close enough on both sides using the phone.

what a timely thread.

porksboy wrote: Pray tell, how does one use an iPhone for a caster/ camber guage?

There are many ways... but I use iCarpenter and a straight edge across the face of the wheel.

The last time I paid for an alignment, I had to fix it when I got home, so I do my own with a level, tape measure, and angle gauge.

The most imprtant thing when checking camber is to have the car level.

I found that my garage floor had a slight slope, so I made a couple of plywood plates to put under one side. My 2000 ZX2 never had a "professional" alignment but many by me. Track and DD had different settings.

I am fortunate in that my garage floor is about as flat as can be. Turning plates have been a larger 'What if'. There is a British show called Wheeler Dealer and they had a home/shop alignment set-up that uses what amount to Moon discs as turning plates. You place one in front of each tire and roll the car onto them. I should try to find-out what company made the equipment.

Thanks for all the tips and input!

Another easy way to make turn plates: cut 4 12x12 squares of 1/8" masonite, drop a quarter sized blob of grease on the shiny side of one then put the shiny side of another on that. Repeat and now you have a pair of cheap turn plates. You can stick them in a plastic bag so you can save and reuse them.

Remember to make another set for the rear without grease so the car will be level.

I bought one of those $29.95 Harbor Freight electronic angle finders, it's been great. http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-angle-gauge-95998.html