DIY Alignment Check (VIDEO)
Apr 14, 2008, 12:44 PM
#2
Evolving Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Yardley, PA
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After replacing my tie rods I did my alignment just like this (well almost, I used a different way to get a flat surface). I will never pay for an alignment again.
When are we going to see a vid to set the caster?
When are we going to see a vid to set the caster?
Feb 3, 2009, 10:51 PM
#4
thanks
Great info. This is the kind of thing that really makes a difference in these hobbies. I followed your vid, but used a laser level from harborfreight. Worked great, and checked the results against string.
The harbor freight level had a digital level meter, so camber was super easy and very accurate. No measuring the gap needed.
It had a laser in the end which shot a pane of a beam that I could use to measure the toe instead of using the string. had to do it in the garage with the lights off though. hahaha. Was accurate to a mm, because I used a clear ruler with mm marks.
No for figuring out how to adjust camber and toe while in the garage....
Thanks a bunch for posting that info.
peace.
M
The harbor freight level had a digital level meter, so camber was super easy and very accurate. No measuring the gap needed.
It had a laser in the end which shot a pane of a beam that I could use to measure the toe instead of using the string. had to do it in the garage with the lights off though. hahaha. Was accurate to a mm, because I used a clear ruler with mm marks.
No for figuring out how to adjust camber and toe while in the garage....
Thanks a bunch for posting that info.
peace.
M
Trending Topics
Apr 16, 2009, 07:14 AM
#8
Using this string method, I set my toe last week. It's a little bit of a pain, but it's really not bad at all. The most cumbersome part is leveling the car and setting up your 'strings' around it to square it off.
*Note I was told to set your camber first; then attack the toe.
Once you have your strings up, it's all about measuring precisely.
Front toe adjustment - just behind the inside of the tire there's a toe arm. You loosen up the nut and them turn the toe arm to feed it in or out. Then tighten the nut back up.
Rear toe adjustment - coming in from the rear, there's a bolt near the center. You tighten/loosen it to adjust. It's kinda neat as there's a solid washer attached to it to push/pull the tire in/out. I know some people have had to shave that washer a bit to get more adjustment.
Front camber adjustment - first you've got the stock camber bolts. check the arrows. I forget which way is which. After that, if you've got coilovers you should have camber plates to adjust.
Rear camber adjustment - ?
*Note I was told to set your camber first; then attack the toe.
Once you have your strings up, it's all about measuring precisely.
Front toe adjustment - just behind the inside of the tire there's a toe arm. You loosen up the nut and them turn the toe arm to feed it in or out. Then tighten the nut back up.
Rear toe adjustment - coming in from the rear, there's a bolt near the center. You tighten/loosen it to adjust. It's kinda neat as there's a solid washer attached to it to push/pull the tire in/out. I know some people have had to shave that washer a bit to get more adjustment.
Front camber adjustment - first you've got the stock camber bolts. check the arrows. I forget which way is which. After that, if you've got coilovers you should have camber plates to adjust.
Rear camber adjustment - ?
May 3, 2009, 12:40 AM
#9
Newbie
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AutoXer: I made and posted my video, then found yours like 5 minutes later. Pretty much the same approach, with the same car too..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8qFjAB67vk
I change my front camber before and after every autox and track event. I do this routine to correct toe each time. It's quite easy. I don't worry about my garage being exactly level though. The increased camber makes a HUGE difference. I put it back after each event because i commute 16k+ miles a year and like to save my tires.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8qFjAB67vk
I change my front camber before and after every autox and track event. I do this routine to correct toe each time. It's quite easy. I don't worry about my garage being exactly level though. The increased camber makes a HUGE difference. I put it back after each event because i commute 16k+ miles a year and like to save my tires.
May 3, 2009, 12:46 AM
#10
Newbie
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Using this string method, I set my toe last week. It's a little bit of a pain, but it's really not bad at all. The most cumbersome part is leveling the car and setting up your 'strings' around it to square it off.
*Note I was told to set your camber first; then attack the toe.
Once you have your strings up, it's all about measuring precisely.
Front toe adjustment - just behind the inside of the tire there's a toe arm. You loosen up the nut and them turn the toe arm to feed it in or out. Then tighten the nut back up.
Rear toe adjustment - coming in from the rear, there's a bolt near the center. You tighten/loosen it to adjust. It's kinda neat as there's a solid washer attached to it to push/pull the tire in/out. I know some people have had to shave that washer a bit to get more adjustment.
Front camber adjustment - first you've got the stock camber bolts. check the arrows. I forget which way is which. After that, if you've got coilovers you should have camber plates to adjust.
Rear camber adjustment - ?
*Note I was told to set your camber first; then attack the toe.
Once you have your strings up, it's all about measuring precisely.
Front toe adjustment - just behind the inside of the tire there's a toe arm. You loosen up the nut and them turn the toe arm to feed it in or out. Then tighten the nut back up.
Rear toe adjustment - coming in from the rear, there's a bolt near the center. You tighten/loosen it to adjust. It's kinda neat as there's a solid washer attached to it to push/pull the tire in/out. I know some people have had to shave that washer a bit to get more adjustment.
Front camber adjustment - first you've got the stock camber bolts. check the arrows. I forget which way is which. After that, if you've got coilovers you should have camber plates to adjust.
Rear camber adjustment - ?
and yes, camber first.. then correct toe.
thanks a lot man I like all of your Videos
Oct 11, 2009, 04:50 PM
#15
I'm also in the phase of chasing down a good autocross alignment setting for my setup and do not wanna pay for so many iterations at a shop.
According to the videos by AutoXer, you jack the car up and then put the tiles under each tire. By doing so, doesn't the suspension get unsettled, therefore affect the alignment? What methods do you use to adjust the camber bolts and toe while keeping the suspension settled?
According to the videos by AutoXer, you jack the car up and then put the tiles under each tire. By doing so, doesn't the suspension get unsettled, therefore affect the alignment? What methods do you use to adjust the camber bolts and toe while keeping the suspension settled?