Doing my own alignment, need help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
You're right, my alignment would absolutely be "out of spec", but that's how I want it. That's another of the beauties of doing it myself: I can set it where I want, and change it if I want without having to pay someone each time.
If you have a high dollar machine and take your time and understand all of the things that go into setting an accurate alignment then that is great, most shops have hacks or kids running the alignment racks who don't even understand the settings they're putting on and how they affect vehicle handling. But please don't try telling someone they can't do it at home and not achieve results that are just as good as using expensive shop equipment (using it properly I will add).
If you have a high dollar machine and take your time and understand all of the things that go into setting an accurate alignment then that is great, most shops have hacks or kids running the alignment racks who don't even understand the settings they're putting on and how they affect vehicle handling. But please don't try telling someone they can't do it at home and not achieve results that are just as good as using expensive shop equipment (using it properly I will add).
Ok, then I will, I do a better job than can be had here locally...period....
and I have tried......up north I had a particular shop what was VERY good for some 40 years for me, down here not one of the idiots can align a fishing pole....
SO, DIY time, and it's not rocket science, just need follow some common sense type procedures......
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
good results yes, same results no. i used the proper army tools to align a humvee, then used the 'fancy' machine at work. within spec it was but would have worn the tires. vehicle can be within spec and still pull, or wear tires. maybe you can adjust a vehicle at home and have great success. i personally just havent seen it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
You don't have to hang out at the track very long to see that highly precise work can be done with some fairly simple tools. IMHO, any conscientious owner who knows how to cipher can do as good or better of a job than many alignment shops do. But, if you don't want to learn how to do your own, take redvetracr's advice and find a new alignment shop.FYI, 8 commercial vinyl tiles (like those you see in schools) and a little grease make for a cheap set of floating turntables.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Honestly if I had a mech around here that was as particular as you claim to be, I'd rather use him as opposed to me breaking out the string, angle finder, level, trammel bars, and calipers and taking 2 hours out of my life. I would love to be able to just roll into a shop and pay my $80. But these days, you're talking one in a million. Odds are your alignment is being done by a high school dropout that thinks having a wheel or two only a nuthair within "spec" is acceptable. Thanks kid, I can do that (and much better) on my own. I've proven that much to myself.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
This subject comes up all the time. All you need is;
http://www.soloperformance.com/Quick...it_p_1172.html
AND a laser pointer to set the rear thrust angle. The car has to be level. I use a straight edge across the rear tires and place a ruler snug against the front spindle sitting on a jack stand. The rear tires need to point the same direction and a small amount of toe in (rear tires only) of 1/16 inch for a street car is my recommendation. I did this for years on my 72 autox car and now I do it on my C-5 Z06. Just need to give yourself plenty of time.
My guess is the alignment shop you went to didn't want to take the time to do it correctly.
http://www.soloperformance.com/Quick...it_p_1172.html
AND a laser pointer to set the rear thrust angle. The car has to be level. I use a straight edge across the rear tires and place a ruler snug against the front spindle sitting on a jack stand. The rear tires need to point the same direction and a small amount of toe in (rear tires only) of 1/16 inch for a street car is my recommendation. I did this for years on my 72 autox car and now I do it on my C-5 Z06. Just need to give yourself plenty of time.
My guess is the alignment shop you went to didn't want to take the time to do it correctly.
