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DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use?

Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda

DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 03:38 AM

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
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 04:34 AM

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.



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Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 04:39 AM

I think two greased plates and marking the caster angle like joelson6 did here:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...mendations.html
Posted By: RUNCHARGER

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 05:10 AM

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.
Posted By: astjp2

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 06:04 AM

Do you plan on doing a bump steer check too?
Posted By: BigBlockMopar

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 11:30 AM

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.





Posted By: rustbuckett68

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 04:37 PM

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??
Posted By: 67R/T4speeder

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 04:47 PM

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.
Posted By: BigBlockMopar

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 06:25 PM

CamberMeas
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cambermeas/id909887950?mt=8

iAlign
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ialign/id334573404?mt=8
Posted By: krautrock

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 08:16 PM

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.
Posted By: 67R/T4speeder

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/02/17 08:27 PM


Thank you
Posted By: tahoechallenge

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/03/17 05:52 AM

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.
Posted By: John_Kunkel

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/14/17 08:23 PM

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
Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/14/17 08:57 PM

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?
Posted By: Skeptic

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 10/17/17 03:00 AM

Does anybody know of a good Android app?
Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/25/18 07:20 AM

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

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Posted By: RylisPro

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/25/18 07:45 AM

That's pretty cool and not too expensive either!
2 alignments and it pays for itself!
Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/25/18 08:21 AM

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
Posted By: astjp2

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/29/18 07:43 AM

Not cheapest but it works:

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/All-Alignment-Equipment/Alignment-Accessories
Posted By: moparx

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/29/18 05:37 PM

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
Posted By: dangina

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/30/18 05:32 AM

just bought the Tenhulzen setup, can't wait to try it out!!
Posted By: myduster360

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/30/18 04:48 PM

I've set my own toe for years using strings/polls but a couple years ago I picked up an old Hunter alignment machine, like this one, off of Craigslist for $300. Fully functional

Posted By: John_Kunkel

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/30/18 10:55 PM

Originally Posted By dangina
just bought the Tenhulzen setup, can't wait to try it out!!


My only complaint with it is the plastic thumb screws that attach the various parts, they snap off if not careful when handling the plates.
Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 01/31/18 02:19 AM

Originally Posted By dangina
just bought the Tenhulzen setup, can't wait to try it out!!


Probably want to go ahead and email them for the longer [free] studs to measure camber. They include short ones but weren't even close for my 'Cuda.
Posted By: dangina

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 02/01/18 03:04 AM

Originally Posted By GoodysGotaCuda

Probably want to go ahead and email them for the longer [free] studs to measure camber. They include short ones but weren't even close for my 'Cuda.


I ordered from amazon - do you email Tenhulzen for the longer ones?
Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda

Re: DIY/Home Alignment Tools - What do you use? - 02/01/18 04:00 AM

Originally Posted By dangina
Originally Posted By GoodysGotaCuda

Probably want to go ahead and email them for the longer [free] studs to measure camber. They include short ones but weren't even close for my 'Cuda.


I ordered from amazon - do you email Tenhulzen for the longer ones?


Yep, they sent them out immediately. I also ordered from Amazon.
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