DIY alignment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Rockford MI
DIY alignment
Can anyone steer me towards a good diy alignment procedure? Specifically for the toe in on the rear?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by 78anniversary; Feb 18, 2018 at 09:49 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
I recently changed trailing arms and used a variation on this method - Drove the car and it seems to have gotten me pretty close, but I will still get a local shop to fine-tune it before it warms up this spring.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
The guy in the below video details how to do the rear using the "string" method. I tried his technique and it is easy to bend the string a little too much... I then used just a long straight edge such as an 8' level or a stick of angle 2x2 aluminum. You can merely push it up against mounted brake disc and point it forward to see the amount of runout in relation to the bottom of the frame. Keep in mind you have to load the suspension with a couple of floor jacks to get it accurate. Once complete you need to re-check with car and tires on the ground and a pair of Longacre "Toe Plates" like under Summit Racing link.
B-R
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lng-79501
B-R
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lng-79501
Last edited by BlackRocket; Feb 18, 2018 at 10:29 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
Toe in the rear is impacted by the camber adjustment only a very tiny amount (within normal ranges of camber adjustment).
For a "close enough" standard you are safe to only adjust the control arm for toe.
For a "close enough" standard you are safe to only adjust the control arm for toe.
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Feb 19, 2018 at 10:09 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 597
1. Enough to get to a shop.
2. Never again visit a alignment shop.
if your goal is # 2 then it depends on how many miles / year you will drive the car.
Most methods of DIY will make the car drive ok, but sacrifice tire life.
What I mean by this is to get max tire life you do need to be able to accurately setup the alignment tools , take accurate measurements , and repeat the process reliably. Once you feel confident in DIY take your measurements and compare to a alignment shop (Measurements only) Then you will know if your method is as good as a shop.
DIY Alignment is a worth while task since most shops today have never seen a C3 corvette.
And most people that DIY alignment drive their car less than 5000 miles a year and the tires age well before the loose tread due to close enough alignment.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Feb 19, 2018 at 01:43 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
When I bought my '72 back in '95 I had the entire car aligned after a complete suspension rebuild....the rear has been fine....tires are wearing really well.....BUT up front after my doing rack steering, I have had nothing but problems trying to do my own alignment.....
I have come to the conclusion it is because me garage floor is not perfectly level house on a hillside, I assume, done that way to assist drainage. and so the vette sets oddly on the surface....
can't align any car with the surface it sets on is not PURRFECTLY flat.....
so alignment shop......CASE CLOSED......
I have come to the conclusion it is because me garage floor is not perfectly level house on a hillside, I assume, done that way to assist drainage. and so the vette sets oddly on the surface....
can't align any car with the surface it sets on is not PURRFECTLY flat.....
so alignment shop......CASE CLOSED......
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
I spent about $250 for the QuickTricks alignment tool. Check their web page for the different models available. It works well on caster and camber. The toe in measurement, while accurate, is the combined total for both the left and right wheels. So, you need to establish an accurate point of reference to get the individual toe in. Most people use the string method, but here you still need to get a reference point to get the string absolutely parallel to the centerline of the car frame (not the fenders, which can be crooked). I got my alignment done in a little over an hour. Most of the time was getting the string set up.
Last edited by ronarndt; Feb 21, 2018 at 12:35 PM. Reason: typo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 597
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