Notices
Evo X How Tos / Installations Post or link to your detailed how to / installation articles in here. If you have any questions regarding the how tos, feel free to post them in the Request sub-forum.

Anyone knows how to do wheel alignments the X?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 21, 2009 | 12:19 AM
  #1  
Daskid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Anyone knows how to do wheel alignments the X?

I tried looking for a DIY on how to do wheel alignments on the X and can't find one. Can anybody so kind enough to post detailed instructions on how to do both front and rear wheels? And tools needed? Basically, a full blown DIY.

This would be nice to know since wheel alignments from where I live goes about $100-$120 a pop.

I bet auto-X peeps can chime in.

Thanks!
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2009 | 07:47 AM
  #2  
irmerm's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Originally Posted by Daskid
I tried looking for a DIY on how to do wheel alignments on the X and can't find one. Can anybody so kind enough to post detailed instructions on how to do both front and rear wheels? And tools needed? Basically, a full blown DIY.

This would be nice to know since wheel alignments from where I live goes about $100-$120 a pop.

I bet auto-X peeps can chime in.

Thanks!
Well, the first item needed for a DIY alignment is an alignment rack... you got one of those?
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2009 | 12:49 PM
  #3  
Evonemic's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: here
^^ nice.. how much are those.. worth putting in anyones garage.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2009 | 03:35 PM
  #4  
stokEd's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Originally Posted by Daskid
This would be nice to know since wheel alignments from where I live goes about $100-$120 a pop.
If there's a Firestone or Goodyear service center nearby they sell lifetime alignments for $150.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2009 | 03:51 PM
  #5  
LVSBB6's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
From: CAN
there is no such thing as DIY alignment......
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2009 | 04:33 PM
  #6  
goofygrin's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 4
From: Frisco, TX
Originally Posted by LVSBB6
there is no such thing as DIY alignment......
*cough* bull****.

You need a camber gauge (accurate, not the bubble kind) and toe plates. I recommend longacre products.

Or you can go with the string alignment method. Google those items and you'll be on your way.

If you've never done one, helped do one or at least watched a tech do one up close, this is something you shouldn't be doing yourself. Pay the $150 for a lifetime at Firestone and move on.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2009 | 04:14 PM
  #7  
Daskid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Hmmm.. okay, nevermind....
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #8  
jmorris1027's Avatar
Evolving Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: orlando
I think if $120 for an alignment is gonna break the bank, maybe an evo isn't the car you should own. Just my .02
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2009 | 07:49 PM
  #9  
Daskid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Never said it'll break the bank. Just curious if it's possible for a DIY.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2009 | 07:04 AM
  #10  
tephra's Avatar
EvoM Guru
15 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 67
From: Melbourne, Australia
before you spend the money on an alignment get some camber tops for the stock suspension.

stock front suspension is NOT camber adjustable on the Evo.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2009 | 07:11 AM
  #11  
ethan169's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut / Vermont
Originally Posted by stokEd
If there's a Firestone or Goodyear service center nearby they sell lifetime alignments for $150.
WOW thats a pretty sweet deal! 150 for a lifetime? As in go in whenever you need to realign? Even after new suspension or something like that?

I going to look into this now. As a single 4 wheel alignment averages 80-90 bones.

-Ethan
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2009 | 03:21 PM
  #12  
LaXGSR's Avatar
Evolved Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: US
I don't really trust Firestone to touch my car. I've had good luck with the string alignment method, and I think I can get the toe more accurate than a Firestone tech would. For camber, you can do it with a carpenter square and ruler, or I recently switched to a digital laser level. It's definitely not easy, and will probably take you 3+ hours the first time you do it. Like others have said, it's much easier to just get a shop to do it if you trust them, but it's also not impossible (or even that hard really) to DIY. Just search here (evo 9 forums) or nasioc for DIY alignment threads.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2009 | 03:38 PM
  #13  
Daskid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Originally Posted by tephra
before you spend the money on an alignment get some camber tops for the stock suspension.

stock front suspension is NOT camber adjustable on the Evo.
Any link to this camber tops? Is this another term for camber plates? So are you saying it's needed on all four wheels?

Originally Posted by LaXGSR
I don't really trust Firestone to touch my car. I've had good luck with the string alignment method, and I think I can get the toe more accurate than a Firestone tech would. For camber, you can do it with a carpenter square and ruler, or I recently switched to a digital laser level. It's definitely not easy, and will probably take you 3+ hours the first time you do it. Like others have said, it's much easier to just get a shop to do it if you trust them, but it's also not impossible (or even that hard really) to DIY. Just search here (evo 9 forums) or nasioc for DIY alignment threads.
Yeah, I don't like the fact that Firestone techs have a high risk of gouging your wheels and denying it once you notice it. Plus, when they do a test drive, you don't know if they improperly beat the crap out of your car. Although, $150 is a sweet deal...

I will look into that DIY. Thanks!
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2009 | 03:50 PM
  #14  
tipoytm's Avatar
Evolved Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: CA
Wow... lifetime alignment for that cheap? Maybe you mean if you buy the tires from them and it goes with the lifetime of your tires? $150 is not a lot of money if you are talking about the whole lifetime of the car... they'd be losing a lot of $$$ if you keep your ride for 5-10 years lol, and have it aligned every year.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2009 | 03:56 PM
  #15  
wevo1985's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 667
Likes: 1
From: kingston,ny
their is a dyi alingment, but very hard to do. and you have to put holes in the ground you doing it on. i learned it when i was in school and its not fun at all. its also not perfect at all so on a car like this i wouldnt recomend. to bad you guys arent around here. we only charge 89.99 for them and we have all the new machines.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:52 AM.