DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?
#2380314
10/01/17 11:38 PM
10/01/17 11:38 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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I am interested in picking up some DIY home wheel alignment tools to setup my car and probably use it on a few other vehicles I have around. I have seen Longacre and Quick Trick, are there any other common setups out there? I am thinking of buying a digital caster/camber gauge, some wheel mount, toe plates and likely some turn plates. My Hotchkis UCAs are too much of a pain to have a shop reasonably align the car.
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#2380344
10/02/17 12:34 AM
10/02/17 12:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,465 So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,465
So Cal
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I went with the longacre because I thought I could used the digital angle finder for other projects.
The rim clamps on the Longacre nor Fastrxx are not extremely robust. I used a bungee around the unit to hold it to the rim. I think the Longacre could be a tad more stable. But that could be my mind playing trick cause it looks a lot sexier.
Two pieces of plywood with a slot would work as good as the Longacre toe plate. Honestly I just hooked the tape to a tread and measured to the same tread-line in the other side.
The two plates are expensive. I used greased sheets. Plates would make the caster angle procedure quicker. It would be more accruate too, but think I/we getting that perfect may not be that necessary.
Last edited by autoxcuda; 10/02/17 12:59 AM.
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?
[Re: autoxcuda]
#2380367
10/02/17 01:10 AM
10/02/17 01:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada
RUNCHARGER
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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I have a fastrxx and marked up a couple of ceramic floor tiles (I put masking tape on the floor so I know the tiles don't move), they work great. I measure toe in from inside wheel edge to inside wheel edge. I have measured from tire tread but trust the wheel edges more, it can be a hassle if you have headers though.
Last edited by RUNCHARGER; 10/02/17 01:14 AM.
Sheldon
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#2380402
10/02/17 02:04 AM
10/02/17 02:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785 Utah and Alaska
astjp2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785
Utah and Alaska
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Do you plan on doing a bump steer check too?
1941 Taylorcraft 1968 Charger 1994 Wrangler 1998 Wrangler 2008 Kia Rio 2017 Jetta
I didn't do 4 years and 9 months of Graduate School to be called Mister!
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#2440390
01/25/18 03:20 AM
01/25/18 03:20 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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For what it's worth, i bought this setup and was able to align my car over the last week or so. Once I made a few adjustments, I was able to figure out how to get repetitive readings and setup the car. I need to make a slight toe tweak to align the steering wheel, but the initial drive was very good. For the money invested and how often I will use it, I don't have many complaints. There are a couple of things I would like to improve, but it's a pretty good bank-for-buck. I paid $192 shipped
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?
[Re: RylisPro]
#2440412
01/25/18 04:21 AM
01/25/18 04:21 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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That's pretty cool and not too expensive either! 2 alignments and it pays for itself! Probably one alignment, given I have the [horrid] old style Hotchkis upper control arms. Man, those things are a pain to adjust...I am doing a whole front end job on my Father-in-Laws Li'l Red Express and my Warlock will be close behind it. Also, it goes down to 13" wheels, so I can align my old FSAE car. I'll put it to use! Naturally, the on-car adjustment version came out just a couple of months after I bought my set.
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?
[Re: astjp2]
#2442851
01/29/18 01:37 PM
01/29/18 01:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,355 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,355
north of coder
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i just restored a pair of alignment turntables i got at a swap for $25. needed new bearings [38 7/16" balls] and a lot of rust blasting. luckily, the bearing races were in great condition, as the old grease had petrified and protected the races. the angle indicator plates cleaned up very well by careful cleaning, and did not require re-painting the lines and numbers. paint, and they look very good, plus they move very smooth in all directions now ! they were locked up when i purchased them. i'll see if i can grab a pic today. these are very simple items mechanically, so if you see a set at the swaps, and can get 'em relatively cheap, don't be afraid to tackle a re-build.
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