Need self alignment equipment recommendations
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 71
From: MA
Need self alignment equipment recommendations
This year I have spent over $300 on multiple alignments and my vette’s alignment is still not right
. Front tires are cupping badly on the inside edges. I am getting tired of this and want to do my own alignments. Can anyone suggest what I need to do camber and toe? Any recommendations for good how-to primers for do-it-yourselfers?
. Front tires are cupping badly on the inside edges. I am getting tired of this and want to do my own alignments. Can anyone suggest what I need to do camber and toe? Any recommendations for good how-to primers for do-it-yourselfers?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
May not help. The alignment may not be the problem.
Cupping can be caused by an unbalanced tire condition, faulty wheel bearings, loose parts, fatigued springs or weak shock absorbers. Check the condition of the shock by forcefully bouncing the front end of the car several times and releasing it on the down stroke. Failure of the vehicle to settle after two strokes suggests worn shocks or struts.
Early detection is key
"Once a particular wear pattern develops it will continue for the life of the tire." New tires will not correct a wear pattern problem and will soon begin to wear unevenly or prematurely if the cause of the problem is not repaired.
To do your own alignment you can get a Camber/Caster Gauge for about $40 at a Race Shop. Then you need to get a way to measure a level spot in your garage. I used a 6 ft level and measured level across the car in front and back. I did not bother with level from front to rear. To get the floor level I used foot square pieces of asphalt tile that are 1/8in thick. I ended up with 3 for the left front wheel and two for the right front wheel. The hard part is adjusting the rear since if you make a toe error you can get dog walking.
Here is a place for a procedure for C4s that can be used to guide you on what to do with a C5: http://www.vettenet.org/align.html .
Bill
Cupping can be caused by an unbalanced tire condition, faulty wheel bearings, loose parts, fatigued springs or weak shock absorbers. Check the condition of the shock by forcefully bouncing the front end of the car several times and releasing it on the down stroke. Failure of the vehicle to settle after two strokes suggests worn shocks or struts.
Early detection is key
"Once a particular wear pattern develops it will continue for the life of the tire." New tires will not correct a wear pattern problem and will soon begin to wear unevenly or prematurely if the cause of the problem is not repaired.
To do your own alignment you can get a Camber/Caster Gauge for about $40 at a Race Shop. Then you need to get a way to measure a level spot in your garage. I used a 6 ft level and measured level across the car in front and back. I did not bother with level from front to rear. To get the floor level I used foot square pieces of asphalt tile that are 1/8in thick. I ended up with 3 for the left front wheel and two for the right front wheel. The hard part is adjusting the rear since if you make a toe error you can get dog walking.
Here is a place for a procedure for C4s that can be used to guide you on what to do with a C5: http://www.vettenet.org/align.html .
Bill
