Alignment questions

[Philthy]

So...since I'm a real do it yourself kinda guy (read:cheap) I want to takle my own alignment. I know Eric has done a few of his own, so what kind of advice can I get? I guess I need some tools, some string and some pvc pipe. What's a good source for the tools and whaich ones should I avoid?

Also, my transmission has decided it no longer wants to go into reverse. Take a moment to pray for me that it's only the linkage, I do not want to have to remove the motor and take the tranny back apart.

 

[Shoaz]

Just look for a good caster/camber gauge. I have a FasTrax which works great and will clamp onto most wheels for hands-free adjustment. There are others out there, too, so shop around.

Otherwise it's just pvc or conduit and string and basic tools.

 

[NCTaurusSHO]

I needed to buy plates that go ontop of the struts to be able to align mine. (i work at an aligment shop as well) so you may have to get some of those form ford (about 75$ each)

 

[Philthy]

Cool, thanks guys. After picking up the alignment parts, what settings should I shoot for? When I got my Miata aligned, the intarweb had pages and pages of alignment spec for everything from ******** autocross to boulevard cruiser, but I didn't find anything like that for the SHO. I guess I want something along the lines of moderate street, occassional autocross, rare track. Also, I'm thinking about picking up some heims and making some aluminum rear control arms. Next week when I remove my transmission, I'll measure the rear mounts and find out what size heims I need.

And yup, you read that right, I think the tranny must come out. I pulled the linkage off and still couldn't get reverse to engage. Maybe I should hunt down that tranny video to make sure I put everything back together the right way last time. Do I have to pull the motor again to get the tranny out? Someone please say, "No."

 

[NCTaurusSHO]

you should be able to drop the subframe to get the tranny out. I would only recommend if you have a lift to use..... or else the engine might have to come out too using a hoist , unless you have a way to get the car high enough to drop out the subframe and get the tranny out that way.

as for the alignment stuff, umm basically i would recommend having someone do it with alignment tools (laser and such) unless someone on here can tell you how to do it. I just always use my alignment tools to set the camber and caster.

ashley

 

[Shoaz]

Cool, thanks guys. After picking up the alignment parts, what settings should I shoot for? When I got my Miata aligned, the intarweb had pages and pages of alignment spec for everything from ******** autocross to boulevard cruiser, but I didn't find anything like that for the SHO. I guess I want something along the lines of moderate street, occassional autocross, rare track. Also, I'm thinking about picking up some heims and making some aluminum rear control arms. Next week when I remove my transmission, I'll measure the rear mounts and find out what size heims I need.

The stock alignment settings won't be bad for that sort of thing, and then just lean toward the "aggressive" range of the settings. In other words, balance both sides so that the caster is on the high side as well as the camber. That'll probably mean about -1 to -1.5 degrees camber, and zero toe in the front.

I've not done a rear alignment with the stock control arms, but with adjustable arms it's pretty easy to get some mild (a degree or so) camber back there and a little bit of toe-in.

You need to do it on a surface that puts all four wheels level...I use a water level to double check. And I use a couple of pieces of whiteboard, about 12" x 12" with some grease in between them under the wheels so that you're adjusting the alignment and not the alignment torque in the tire tread (i.e., you want the tire free to move with the alignment).

Once you get the hang of it you probably won't go back to an alignment shop again. I just did my SVTF a little while ago as well (after I discovered I'd bent a tie-rod when I hit a curb a few years ago).

 

[Philthy]

So, support engine from top, lift car to sky, unbolt subframe, catch heavy falling stuff? Sounds like the alignment will have to wait until after that then. Yea! SHO worked for 2 days, maybe 3. SHOstration setting in.