Wheel alignments
Is it possible to get a good - Do It Yourself - 4 wheel alignment at home? I have been watching some of the U tube videos and thinking about making up my own alignment kit using basic materials. It doesn't seem to be all that difficult.
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Re: Wheel alignments
Modern alignment equipment is wonderful, but most techs don't understand the basic geometry involved with alignment, and don't fully understand the equipment. I gave up on them 30 years ago and have done my own alignments ever since using an inclinometer and tape measure. As you say it's relatively simple using simple tools, but is tedious and time consuming, and I don't have to argue with some guy who wants to set camber at the factory spec of +3/4 deg. when I want is set at negative 1 degree. Like initial spark timing, alignment is a "tuning" parameter, and the OE specs are usually a compromise.
The inclinometer reads camber directly. The difference between side to side camber readings at full left and right lock is caster, and you have to be very careful determining the proper sign.
The trickiest part on IRS cars is measuring individual rear wheel toe. Total toe must be split equally between both sides. One way is to carefully measure the centerline of each cross member, then lay a string across them using plumbobs to position it vertically as close to wheel centerline as possible so toe on each side can be measured from the string.
On the front unequal toe will result in the steering wheel being cocked off at an angle on a straight road, which is corrected by tweaking the tie rods equal amounts in opposite directions until the wheel is straight.
Duke -
Re: Wheel alignments
Yes.............but you need to understand the basics and have decent in-home equipment.
Some folks have done it with nothing but a string and a level, but this will not give you the best results for all measurements. I use/have a FAS-TRACK equipment for caster and camber.
LarryComment
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Re: Wheel alignments
Sounds like a good article is really needed by our members for the Restorer magazine.
Just need a volunteer.Comment
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Re: Wheel alignments
I recall I learned the technique from a book authored by Herb Adams back in the seventies or eighties. As you may know he was a former Pontiac engineer, but the technique is applicable to any car. The book is likely out of publication, but there may be used examples available on the Web.
I realigned my '88 Mercedes 190E 2.6 when it was about year or two old - just the front end for maximum negative camber and maximum positive caster equal on both sides. The final numbers were negative 3/4 deg. camber and +10.5 degrees caster. Later I got the dealer to check it at no charge and their measurements were within about 0.1 degree of mine. So, if you're careful and take your time a simple "garage alignment" with a tape measure and inclinometer can give pretty good results.
DukeComment
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Re: Wheel alignments
also a great reference, Fred Puhn's book "How To Make Your Car Handle" from '76.Comment
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Re: Wheel alignments
Like Larry above, I use a Fastrax tool for caster/camber adjustments. I've been doing my own alignments for the last 30+ years. The nice thing is that you can fine tune your suspension yourself instead of relying on a "generic" setting read out of a book. Besides, good luck finding anyone that can correctly align a C-1.Comment
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