Do-It-Yourself Alignment -- Tips?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Haslet,Texas
Do-It-Yourself Alignment -- Tips?
I know some of you do your own front and rear alignments. On my Vette, I try and do my own work whenever possible. Well, it needs a four wheel alignment. Can any of you that do your own alignments point me in the direction of a guide to follow? Also, can you recommend a decent caster/camber gauge? If doing the alignment yourself is difficult, let me know, and I guess I'll reconsider finding a shop.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
http://www.vettenet.org/align.html
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/diy-alignment.html
tools:
http://www.longacreracing.com/
all of these links are bookmarked at www.corvettefaq.com
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/diy-alignment.html
tools:
http://www.longacreracing.com/
all of these links are bookmarked at www.corvettefaq.com
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
JUst follow the guides allready mentioned, and everything will be fine, I did, and my '72 here is the only car I have ever attempted alignment on, only as a responce to the LOUSEY jobs I have had here in Florida, I figgered I could not do worse, and sure enough, I"m right, it's about perfect....just takes time and patience...
GENE
GENE
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
From: Maine
I'm not sure if it's in those links or not, but Norval has done some great posts about DIY alignment. He uses a laser line level and magnetic camber/caster gauge. I used similar tools on mine and it seems to track straight and true. So far - so good!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
It's not easy but due able. I have a caster camber gage, a toe gage and a lazer level. I use all three and find setting the toe the hardest.
To do it right you also have to have an assortment of shims for the front A arms plus shims for the back. Most just set the back camber and call it good.
TOE CAN NOT BE SET WITH A TAPE MEASURE. To buy the proper caster/camber gage is about $130 plus a toe gage is about $100 and again this is the hardest one to set.
To use the caster/camber gage you also need a couple of plates for the front tires can be turned 20 degrees either way easily because you will be doing alot of it.
If you are into fiddling it can be very rewarding setting the alignment yourself but it is time consumming.
That said I would not let any shop set/touch my car.
Your rear trailing arm through bolts need to be able to be loosened and shims changed and this can be a big problem for older vets that have not had work done in this area.
Good luck
To do it right you also have to have an assortment of shims for the front A arms plus shims for the back. Most just set the back camber and call it good.
TOE CAN NOT BE SET WITH A TAPE MEASURE. To buy the proper caster/camber gage is about $130 plus a toe gage is about $100 and again this is the hardest one to set.
To use the caster/camber gage you also need a couple of plates for the front tires can be turned 20 degrees either way easily because you will be doing alot of it.
If you are into fiddling it can be very rewarding setting the alignment yourself but it is time consumming.
That said I would not let any shop set/touch my car.
Your rear trailing arm through bolts need to be able to be loosened and shims changed and this can be a big problem for older vets that have not had work done in this area.
Good luck
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