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DIY alignment

Posted By: zrxkawboy

DIY alignment - 08/17/10 01:19 PM

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.
Posted By: Rick_Ehrenberg

Re: DIY alignment - 08/17/10 01:30 PM

I have been using a SmartLevel (caster/camber) and tape measure with two sharp sheetrock screws for decades!

Rick
Posted By: zrxkawboy

Re: DIY alignment - 08/17/10 02:20 PM

Thanks for the fast reply, Rick. Can you elaborate on the level that you use?

Thanks!
Posted By: Rick_Ehrenberg

Re: DIY alignment - 08/17/10 02:51 PM

It is just a digital Level that an outfit sold an adapter for called "Smart Camber". You just hold it against the rim (bead seat area). Nice part: You can "zero out" the floor camber.

Rick
Posted By: zrxkawboy

Re: DIY alignment - 08/17/10 03:01 PM

You mentioned caster, too...briefly, where is caster measured with this method?

I really do appreciate the help!
Posted By: Rick_Ehrenberg

Re: DIY alignment - 08/17/10 03:05 PM

Same as every alignment, by calculations during a "caster sweep" (turning wheels lock/lock).

Rick
Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: DIY alignment - 08/18/10 06:12 AM

I use a method laid out here with my $40 camber/caster tool. Put the front cam all the way out and the rear all the way in. Adjust the rear cam until you have about 1/2degree negative camber. This is the most positive caster that you can get out of the parts you have on the car.

Of course, this is AFTER setting the ride height and BEFORE setting the toe (I like about 1/16-1/8" toe-in).

If the car pulls with this setup, then you can check the caster and adjust accordingly, but I haven't had to alter from this setup. I also set the ride height to have about an inch between the LCA bumper and the frame (I use a better point on the LCA to make both sides even. I also check from the frame to the floor - same spot).
Posted By: Magnum

Re: DIY alignment - 08/18/10 03:32 PM

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.
Posted By: bonefish

Re: DIY alignment - 08/18/10 04:48 PM

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.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: DIY alignment - 08/18/10 05:19 PM

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.
Posted By: bonefish

Re: DIY alignment - 08/19/10 01:46 AM

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?
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: DIY alignment - 08/19/10 06:42 AM

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
Posted By: Rick_Ehrenberg

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 12:03 AM

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
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 02:28 AM

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?
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 05:57 AM

Quote:

I use a method laid out here with my $40 camber/caster tool. Put the front cam all the way out and the rear all the way in. Adjust the rear cam until you have about 1/2degree negative camber.

Jim The parking lot out here sure isn't level. What/where on the car do I measure (& jack it up if needed) to get the car level so the above procedure will be valid for me?
Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 06:09 AM

I'm fortunate that I have a very level carport (it's more level than my garage). The problem is that you can't just jack the car up. The front suspension needs to be loaded. I'd suggest finding a friend with a level spot.......
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 06:19 AM

yeah I forgot about it needing to be loaded. Well if I put tiles under all 4 wheels where would I measure?
Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 06:24 AM

In order to determine the levelness of your setup you need to span them with a known, flat board or steel beam and use a level. Until you have the ride height set there really is no way to determine that the car is truly on level "ground" using the car. You also need to make sure you are level front to rear.
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 06:32 AM

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?
Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 06:40 AM

Yes, if the string is tight.
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 06:41 AM

Got it. Thank you Jim
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: DIY alignment - 08/21/10 12:08 PM

I have done it at home more than once, have drove both of my cars now many miles. I'm happy.
I use a device I got from Summit. Lucky my garage is level front to rear and only needed 3/4" left to right.




My alignment rack. lol
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