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DIY alignment
#775740
08/17/10 09:19 AM
08/17/10 09:19 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
zrxkawboy
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
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Does anyone do their own alignments? I know there is equipment available, I just don't know if it's any good. Any recommendations are appreciated.
Sadly, there is no one in this small town that I trust to do a good alignment.
It's Swifty! Swifty, you toad sucker!
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: Rick_Ehrenberg]
#775742
08/17/10 10:20 AM
08/17/10 10:20 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
zrxkawboy
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
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Thanks for the fast reply, Rick. Can you elaborate on the level that you use?
Thanks!
It's Swifty! Swifty, you toad sucker!
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: Rick_Ehrenberg]
#775744
08/17/10 11:01 AM
08/17/10 11:01 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
zrxkawboy
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
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You mentioned caster, too...briefly, where is caster measured with this method?
I really do appreciate the help!
It's Swifty! Swifty, you toad sucker!
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#775747
08/18/10 11:32 AM
08/18/10 11:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,788
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Magnum
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,788
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
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I've tried a few times but after checking the work on a proper rack. I'll no longer do the final setting at home. You can not match the precision of a modern alignment machine.
It would take hours to duplicate and experienced technicians accuracy which can be done in under 20 minutes.
69 Super Bee, 93 Mustang LX, 04 Allure Super
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: bonefish]
#775749
08/18/10 01:19 PM
08/18/10 01:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,451
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,451
So Cal
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Quote:
ive had my car to every REPUTABLE alighnment shop in a 2 county area and its a joke,no one around here can do these old school front ends,I FEEL YOUR PAIN,i finaly found an oldtimmer that said "WELL ILL TAKE A LOOK ATER FER YA"he got it pretty darn close but still have a bump steer issue.
The actual bump steer geometry is not going to be changed with an alignment rack per se. You need a bump steer gauge and you need special tie rods or move the centerlink up or down using steering box shims and slotting the idler arm hole.
Or you can run one of those geometry corrected upper control arms that removes bump steer in B/E bodies.
On finding a good alignment shop... Try getting ahold of the local SCCA Solo II autocross club. Should be able to find that with a search online. Then contact them and ask them where all the autocross guys are getting their custom alignments done at. Alignments are a real big deal to those guys, so you have the power of group of a 100 local people looking for a good alignment technician.
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: autoxcuda]
#775750
08/18/10 09:46 PM
08/18/10 09:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,274
s.w.fl
bonefish
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,274
s.w.fl
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Quote:
Quote:
ive had my car to every REPUTABLE alighnment shop in a 2 county area and its a joke,no one around here can do these old school front ends,I FEEL YOUR PAIN,i finaly found an oldtimmer that said "WELL ILL TAKE A LOOK ATER FER YA"he got it pretty darn close but still have a bump steer issue.
The actual bump steer geometry is not going to be changed with an alignment rack per se. You need a bump steer gauge and you need special tie rods or move the centerlink up or down using steering box shims and slotting the idler arm hole.
Or you can run one of those geometry corrected upper control arms that removes bump steer in B/E bodies.
On finding a good alignment shop... Try getting ahold of the local SCCA Solo II autocross club. Should be able to find that with a search online. Then contact them and ask them where all the autocross guys are getting their custom alignments done at. Alignments are a real big deal to those guys, so you have the power of group of a 100 local people looking for a good alignment technician. [/quote HEY Steve where can i get one of those control arms?
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: bonefish]
#775751
08/19/10 02:42 AM
08/19/10 02:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,451
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,451
So Cal
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Quote:
Quote:
ive had my car to every REPUTABLE alighnment shop in a 2 county area and its a joke,no one around here can do these old school front ends,I FEEL YOUR PAIN,i finaly found an oldtimmer that said "WELL ILL TAKE A LOOK ATER FER YA"he got it pretty darn close but still have a bump steer issue.
The actual bump steer geometry is not going to be changed with an alignment rack per se. You need a bump steer gauge and you need special tie rods or move the centerlink up or down using steering box shims and slotting the idler arm hole.
Or you can run one of those geometry corrected upper control arms that removes bump steer in B/E bodies.
On finding a good alignment shop... Try getting ahold of the local SCCA Solo II autocross club. Should be able to find that with a search online. Then contact them and ask them where all the autocross guys are getting their custom alignments done at. Alignments are a real big deal to those guys, so you have the power of group of a 100 local people looking for a good alignment technician.
Quote:
HEY Steve where can i get one of those control arms?
Hotchkis sells a geometry corrected Upper Control Arm. It removes a bunch of the bump steer they measured in those cars.
Explained here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzxPWrdPlt0
Discription here: http://www.hotchkis.net/dodge_b_e_body_geometry_corrected_tubular_upper_aarms.html
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: autoxcuda]
#775752
08/20/10 08:03 PM
08/20/10 08:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688
Marlboro, NY, USA
Rick_Ehrenberg
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688
Marlboro, NY, USA
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Quote:
Hotchkis sells a geometry corrected Upper Control Arm. It removes a bunch of the bump steer they measured in those cars.
Too bad it uses heim joints, kinda short-lived on the street. Plus, I've found bump-steer to be very minimal if everything is as-designed (read: blueprinted, as described above, not difficult at all).
Bump steer is easily measured at home, just a couple of 2x2' wood sheets and piano hinges, and a cinder block. Better with 2 setups. Also, any alignment rack is fine, just crank the bars all the way down, then measure toe at 1" intervals from full jounce (where you'll be with T-bars unwound) to full rebound.
Rick
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: Rick_Ehrenberg]
#775753
08/20/10 10:28 PM
08/20/10 10:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,451
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,451
So Cal
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Quote:
Too bad it uses heim joints, kinda short-lived on the street. Plus, I've found bump-steer to be very minimal if everything is as-designed (read: blueprinted, as described above, not difficult at all)...
A-bodies or E-bodies?
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#775756
08/21/10 02:19 AM
08/21/10 02:19 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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yeah I forgot about it needing to be loaded. Well if I put tiles under all 4 wheels where would I measure?
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: DIY alignment
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#775758
08/21/10 02:32 AM
08/21/10 02:32 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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Sounds like I need to string it and hang a mini bubble gauge made for that on each of the 4 strings. Would that suffice?
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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