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Front end alignments at home, questions. #348657
06/16/09 06:55 AM
06/16/09 06:55 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline OP
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What do you use to do at home front end alignments at home. I really don't want to take my car to a shop, I'd rather do it myself. What has been your experience to do this? I've did some reseach and have seen some tools on Ebay. Where else should I look? Thanks.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348658
06/16/09 08:01 AM
06/16/09 08:01 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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Lincoln Nebraska
I have not done this at home but this would be how I would do it. Car on a level surface(measure across the subframes side to side w something straight & a carpenters level),half tank of gas ,tires aired up,my weight in barbells in the front seat,UCA's/LCA's lightly snug, move the 4 cam bolts for the most positive caster then set the steering wheel straight ahead,wheels straight ahead(measure the tread) then adj the ride height to where you like it(& equal side to side),then move the rear cam bolt until a carpenters long level vertical on the sidewall reads level on the horizontle bubble then move each tire in 1/32". EDIT I'd use bottle jacks on each corner to get it initially leveled

Last edited by RapidRobert; 06/16/09 08:23 AM.

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: RapidRobert] #348659
06/16/09 08:25 AM
06/16/09 08:25 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,542
BROOK PARK, OH
WILD BILL Offline
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BROOK PARK, OH
I'm fortunate that I do alignments for a living so I just bring them to work.

I see people come in all the time that have told me they've done their own alignments and when I get them up their not even close. I'm not doubting your abilities just telling you my own experiences.

I know its a hual but I'ld be happy to take good care of you if you can't find anyone you trust down there.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: WILD BILL] #348660
06/16/09 08:45 AM
06/16/09 08:45 AM
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Posts: 3,316
Southern Maryland
klunick Offline
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Southern Maryland
To be honest, I don't think most of us can do it right or get even close. For me, the initial alignment after a front end rebuild is exactly that, something that will make it so I can get the car to a shop that can do the job properly.


67 Barracuda FB 69 Superbee "Southern Maryland: If you want a good looking woman, you had better bring her with you"
Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: klunick] #348661
06/16/09 09:05 AM
06/16/09 09:05 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,660
Flint, MI
Gusteve Offline
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Flint, MI
Same for me. I'll just try and get the toe-in close by measuring the distance between the tires at the front and the back of the tire, and that's it.

I'm not too worried about caster/camber or ride height. I can then limp the car the 2 miles up to the local shop. (Fortunately the speed limit on the roads on the way there is 25mph, so I'm not as moving roadblock as I limp the car there.)

For the $100 it might cost to align it, I'd rather have it done right.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Gusteve] #348662
06/16/09 09:19 AM
06/16/09 09:19 AM
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tennessee
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pushbutton Offline
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There's imfo on the 62to65moparornocar.com web site about how to align front end using a plumb bob. I've used the method,and you can get the camber pretty close.camber is more difficult. Still I plan to take car to alignment shop. It drives fine like it is, but I know it's not dead on.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: WILD BILL] #348663
06/16/09 10:18 AM
06/16/09 10:18 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:

I'm fortunate that I do alignments for a living so I just bring them to work.

I see people come in all the time that have told me they've done their own alignments and when I get them up their not even close. I'm not doubting your abilities just telling you my own experiences.

I know its a hual but I'ld be happy to take good care of you if you can't find anyone you trust down there.





Wow, That's nice of you. I just looked, Belbrook is south east of Dayton, right? That's not very far away at all. When could you do it? Hopefully during the work day and I'd be willing to pay the going rate.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348664
06/16/09 10:31 AM
06/16/09 10:31 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,677
Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk Offline
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Fresno, CA
I've got a caster/camber tool. It wasn't very expensive and my results have been pretty good. The only problem is that certain cars (FWD Mopars are especially difficult due to the adjustment effectively being inside the rim) are very difficult to adjust on a flat floor. There's just not enough room to get arms and tools around the tires.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Jim_Lusk] #348665
06/16/09 10:57 AM
06/16/09 10:57 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:

I've got a caster/camber tool. It wasn't very expensive and my results have been pretty good. The only problem is that certain cars (FWD Mopars are especially difficult due to the adjustment effectively being inside the rim) are very difficult to adjust on a flat floor. There's just not enough room to get arms and tools around the tires.




Thanks for responding, is this worth owning? web page

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Jim_Lusk] #348666
06/16/09 11:00 AM
06/16/09 11:00 AM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 236
Southern CA
Colin Frolick Offline
enthusiast
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Southern CA
i;ve done it on all my cars, it is not that hard. alignment is another skill to have in you automotive repertoire like tuning a carburetor. i learned from watching my dad align his 71 challenger.

make sure your floor is level, i've used a laser level to verify that. my current garage is pretty good. i park the car on some 1/4" plywood on one side to flatten it out.

the FIRST thing to do is set your ride height, because if you change this last then the static caster and camber you just dialed in will change.

i try to set the cars for maximum caster and 0 - 0.5* negative camber. you can measure camber with an angle finder on a straight piece of steel across the rim. or until i had an angle finder we just eyeballed it against the rear wheel. on a solid rear axle car you're pretty assured the rear wheels are vertical. i know people scoff at "eyeball" alignments but your eyes are better than you think.

set the toe last. use a tape measure and compare the measurement across the front and rear of the wheels. make sure you park the car while it's rolling forward as you don't want the wheels deflecting in from rolling backwards. i usually try for 1/16" toe in. while you're adjusting this is a good opportunity to make sure your steering wheel is lined up straight. if you think about which way the tie rods are moving you can make your toe adjustment and help straighten out the wheel.

if the car pulls to one side, add caster to that side to make it drive straight. changing the caster also changes the camber a little, so you will have to fiddle with it some to make it work. on the mopars with cam-bolts for adjusters it is very straightforward. keep practicing.

last week i changed the front shocks on my imperial; that car has suprisingly little suspension travel and to get the front shocks out i had to remove the upper control arm from the frame to let the lower arm fall enough to remove the shock. anyway when i put it back together i set both sides for maximum positive caster and i lucked out cause it drives pretty damn straight now. the new bilsteins are awesome

Last edited by Colin Frolick; 06/16/09 11:03 AM.
Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348667
06/16/09 11:20 AM
06/16/09 11:20 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,542
BROOK PARK, OH
WILD BILL Offline
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BROOK PARK, OH
Quote:



Wow, That's nice of you. I just looked, Belbrook is south east of Dayton, right? That's not very far away at all. When could you do it? Hopefully during the work day and I'd be willing to pay the going rate.





Double check my location

I'm in Brook Park 44142 which is a suburb of Cleveland.

Little diferent now aint it

FWIW it's $69.99+tax.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: WILD BILL] #348668
06/16/09 01:15 PM
06/16/09 01:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline OP
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Quote:

Quote:



Wow, That's nice of you. I just looked, Belbrook is south east of Dayton, right? That's not very far away at all. When could you do it? Hopefully during the work day and I'd be willing to pay the going rate.





Double check my location

I'm in Brook Park 44142 which is a suburb of Cleveland.

Little diferent now aint it

FWIW it's $69.99+tax.





Duh, I was multi tasking this morning. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Thanks for the offer.
My next door neighbors.(2 of them) are auto repair places but I don't trust either of them, even though they let me help/get in the way. The older guy who used to do them retired last year and now the new guy is really new.

I've been driving it but the front end needs checked. I'm gonna call Bill aka 6970GTX and see if there old dodge deaalership can still do it.

Thanks again everyone.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348669
06/16/09 01:45 PM
06/16/09 01:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,179
Atco NJ
DJVCuda Offline
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DJVCuda  Offline
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Posts: 11,179
Atco NJ
dealerships are gonna need revised numbers - the stock alignment numbers are not so hot for a radial car anymore - FYI

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: DJVCuda] #348670
06/16/09 02:29 PM
06/16/09 02:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,542
BROOK PARK, OH
WILD BILL Offline
Senior Member of the Junior Dragster Club
WILD BILL  Offline
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BROOK PARK, OH
#'s are easy

Go for as much caster as you can get

I like camber to be a little Neg. No more than -.5 though.

Get the cross camber and cross caster as close as to each other as possible.

Toe I set at 1/16th in on each.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348671
06/16/09 03:03 PM
06/16/09 03:03 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,344
Cincinnati, OH
6
6T6Cuda Offline
top fuel
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Cincinnati, OH
Quote:

What do you use to do at home front end alignments at home. I really don't want to take my car to a shop, I'd rather do it myself. What has been your experience to do this? I've did some reseach and have seen some tools on Ebay. Where else should I look? Thanks.




I have everything you need if you want to borrow it...

I have the fast track gauge w/ toe adjuster & toe plates, and a bunch of other stuff...

I tried to do it, worked OK, took it to my brothers shop and it was no where near where I set it; I think I needed a leveler location...

You are welcome to try it...

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348672
06/16/09 03:05 PM
06/16/09 03:05 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,344
Cincinnati, OH
6
6T6Cuda Offline
top fuel
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,344
Cincinnati, OH
Quote:

Quote:

I've got a caster/camber tool. It wasn't very expensive and my results have been pretty good. The only problem is that certain cars (FWD Mopars are especially difficult due to the adjustment effectively being inside the rim) are very difficult to adjust on a flat floor. There's just not enough room to get arms and tools around the tires.




Thanks for responding, is this worth owning? web page




I looked at that one...

It might work, but you have to put it on the wheel every time you make a measurement, each time it can be a bit different also, to make a reading you have to turn the screw until level, one more time consuming step when you have to make a lot of readings and adjustments (camber effects caster and vice versa); a direct reading scale is nicer...

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348673
06/16/09 05:03 PM
06/16/09 05:03 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,344
Cincinnati, OH
6
6T6Cuda Offline
top fuel
6T6Cuda  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,344
Cincinnati, OH
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:



Wow, That's nice of you. I just looked, Belbrook is south east of Dayton, right? That's not very far away at all. When could you do it? Hopefully during the work day and I'd be willing to pay the going rate.





Double check my location

I'm in Brook Park 44142 which is a suburb of Cleveland.

Little diferent now aint it

FWIW it's $69.99+tax.





Duh, I was multi tasking this morning. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Thanks for the offer.
My next door neighbors.(2 of them) are auto repair places but I don't trust either of them, even though they let me help/get in the way. The older guy who used to do them retired last year and now the new guy is really new.

I've been driving it but the front end needs checked. I'm gonna call Bill aka 6970GTX and see if there old dodge deaalership can still do it.

Thanks again everyone.




If you need a good shop; performance alignment on Grooms (sp?) road (of Cornell) is the place to go; a bit expensive (about 120) and has a waiting list (about a month), but he is the only one that will spend the time to get them close, that I know of...

Also, JCassle (sp?) on here is out in Milford and works at a tire discounters, he might be able to help you out...

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: 6T6Cuda] #348674
06/16/09 07:13 PM
06/16/09 07:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline OP
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Cincinnati, Ohio
Hey Richard Thanks for the generous offer, I might just take you up on that. I'm gonna check for some level concrete here at the house and then decide what I'm gonna do. I have recieved some great advise here today on how to go about it at home, thanks to everyone.

I'm sure there are plenty of guys that know how, just not real comfortable leaving my car with anyone. I'd like to wait on the car if possible.

Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: Challenger 1] #348675
06/16/09 09:51 PM
06/16/09 09:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,542
BROOK PARK, OH
WILD BILL Offline
Senior Member of the Junior Dragster Club
WILD BILL  Offline
Senior Member of the Junior Dragster Club

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Posts: 10,542
BROOK PARK, OH
Alignment racks when they are installed are pefectly level. That's probably why the #'s were different when it went on a rack.


Re: Front end alignments at home, questions. [Re: WILD BILL] #348676
06/17/09 11:02 AM
06/17/09 11:02 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 413
northeast ohio
M
mkdart Offline
mopar
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Posts: 413
northeast ohio
Bill, if I wanted you to do a alignment for me. Where would I take it? I'm in Parma. Mike

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