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DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? #2380314
10/01/17 11:38 PM
10/01/17 11:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
GoodysGotaCuda Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda  Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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. spank


1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi
2020 RAM 1500
[img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2380344
10/02/17 12:34 AM
10/02/17 12:34 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,442
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
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So Cal
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.


IMG_0272.JPGIMG_0271.JPG
Last edited by autoxcuda; 10/02/17 12:59 AM.
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2380347
10/02/17 12:39 AM
10/02/17 12:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,442
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
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So Cal
I think two greased plates and marking the caster angle like joelson6 did here:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...mendations.html

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: autoxcuda] #2380367
10/02/17 01:10 AM
10/02/17 01:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2380402
10/02/17 02:04 AM
10/02/17 02:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785
Utah and Alaska
astjp2 Offline
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Utah and Alaska
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!
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2380430
10/02/17 07:30 AM
10/02/17 07:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar Offline
master
BigBlockMopar  Offline
master

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Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
iPhone app: iAlign




iPhone app: CamberMeas
With this app you can enter your steeringratio and just turn the wheel left and right a certain amount, the app will calculate the rest.






Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: autoxcuda] #2380527
10/02/17 12:37 PM
10/02/17 12:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 654
Alberta
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rustbuckett68 Offline
mopar
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mopar
R

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Posts: 654
Alberta
Couple of sticks and some tie wire make a thingy to check toe. Wrap the wire around the tire to hold the sticks at about the center of the tire, and measure front and back. They can be adjusted to clear some of the under car stuff. What is the latest secret to posting pictures??

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: BigBlockMopar] #2380532
10/02/17 12:47 PM
10/02/17 12:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,668
Caldwell, Idaho
67R/T4speeder Offline
top fuel
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Caldwell, Idaho
Originally Posted By BigBlockMopar
iPhone app: iAlign




iPhone app: CamberMeas
With this app you can enter your steeringratio and just turn the wheel left and right a certain amount, the app will calculate the rest.









Cannot find this App.

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2380593
10/02/17 02:25 PM
10/02/17 02:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar Offline
master
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2380669
10/02/17 04:16 PM
10/02/17 04:16 PM
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Posts: 2,094
central texas
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krautrock Offline
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central texas
I think the Longacre gauge I got was working fine. I bought the adapter to screw it on the spindle.

I used grease and thin metal sheet as plates...on a smooth concrete surface.

My measurements were repeating.

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: BigBlockMopar] #2380678
10/02/17 04:27 PM
10/02/17 04:27 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,668
Caldwell, Idaho
67R/T4speeder Offline
top fuel
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Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2381053
10/03/17 01:52 AM
10/03/17 01:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 371
Kings Beach, CA
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tahoechallenge Online content
enthusiast
tahoechallenge  Online Content
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Posts: 371
Kings Beach, CA
I use Fastrax. After using it for a few years, I think I am finally good at it. The key is repeatability. If you are not measuring the same way each time, the measurements you get are useless. I use a few pieces of greased Plexiglas for turn plates. I use two tape measures and tire tread for toe.

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2387388
10/14/17 04:23 PM
10/14/17 04:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,591
Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel Offline
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I have the Tenhulzen setup, a couple of slick plastic bags under the tires acts as a cheapo swivel plate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation...p;v=ZIUUAW5KyWk


The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: John_Kunkel] #2387412
10/14/17 04:57 PM
10/14/17 04:57 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
GoodysGotaCuda Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda  Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
Originally Posted By John_Kunkel
I have the Tenhulzen setup, a couple of slick plastic bags under the tires acts as a cheapo swivel plate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation...p;v=ZIUUAW5KyWk


Looks like a pretty nice system, priced well too. I like the simplicity of the wheel mount, have you had any issues with it coming off of the wheel with only two contact points?


1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi
2020 RAM 1500
[img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2388442
10/16/17 11:00 PM
10/16/17 11:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,394
The Pale Blue Dot
Skeptic Offline
master
Skeptic  Offline
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The Pale Blue Dot
Does anybody know of a good Android app?

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
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
GoodysGotaCuda Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda  Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
Originally Posted By John_Kunkel
I have the Tenhulzen setup, a couple of slick plastic bags under the tires acts as a cheapo swivel plate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation...p;v=ZIUUAW5KyWk


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

26165642_1768904746486909_850124230056571804_n-3.jpg

1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi
2020 RAM 1500
[img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2440401
01/25/18 03:45 AM
01/25/18 03:45 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,432
NorCal
RylisPro Offline
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NorCal
That's pretty cool and not too expensive either!
2 alignments and it pays for itself!


73 `Cuda
Instagram: @rylispro
YouTube: RylisPro
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925-214-9192
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: RylisPro] #2440412
01/25/18 04:21 AM
01/25/18 04:21 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
GoodysGotaCuda Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda  Offline OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
Originally Posted By RylisPro
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. spank


1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi
2020 RAM 1500
[img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2442707
01/29/18 03:43 AM
01/29/18 03:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785
Utah and Alaska
astjp2 Offline
master
astjp2  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785
Utah and Alaska


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!
Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? [Re: astjp2] #2442851
01/29/18 01:37 PM
01/29/18 01:37 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,192
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,192
north of coder
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.
beer

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