DIY Wheel Alignment

[DHMag]

after becoming frustrated with Firestone when they spent 2 hours on my car to tell me i needed $3K in parts and labor to be able to align my car, i took it home and did it myself. i was wondering if there were any other DIY alignment ppl out there who DIDNT use specific wheel alignment tools.

my tools consisted of(just to name a few):

- 20' of #4 string
- 18" level
- 6" steel rule (metric scale)
- 7/8" wrench (for outer TRE nut)
- 13mm wrench (for inner TRE adjustment)
- 1" wrench (for rear GTP control arm nut and adjustment)


it took me the better part of 5 hours and 3 tries to get it close. not caring to take the time to calculate the degree-to-millimeter ratio, i set my toe-in at 3mm difference between front and rear of wheel. and camber with 3mm of difference between top and bottom of wheel.

im very happy with the outcome and how it handles now. previous alignment was way out of whack. gave dartiness on the highway, and horrible tire wear. so bad that i ran thru the Kumho 712s in just 12K miles.

anyone else have any tips to add for us DIY Alignment ppl ? id be interested to hear how some others do it.

 

[gmorrell]

I use a FasTrax C/C gauge with the 9110 toe adapter kit; its plenty accurate, affordable, and easy to use, about $200 with the toe gauge, so it pays for itself in 4 or 5 alignments, and I have two track cars to keep lined up. FasTrax C/C Gauge

 

[DHMag]

Gary M.:
I use a FasTrax C/C gauge with the 9110 toe adapter kit; its plenty accurate, affordable, and easy to use, about $200 with the toe gauge, so it pays for itself in 4 or 5 alignments, and I have two track cars to keep lined up. FasTrax C/C Gauge

thats a decent price for alignment equipment, but this is exactly what i meant when i said "specific wheel alignment tools" . as for the toe gauge, do you measure from toe arm to toe arm ? looks like i might be purchasing that setup soon though...

 

[Hack]

How do you adjust everything with the car sitting on the ground? Or do you take the various measurements, jack the car up, adjust, and remeasure? The products in Gary's link look very interesting. A worthwhile investment. Especially if you are experimenting with different set-ups.

 

[DHMag]

yellowSHO:
How do you adjust everything with the car sitting on the ground? Or do you take the various measurements, jack the car up, adjust, and remeasure? The products in Gary's link look very interesting. A worthwhile investment. Especially if you are experimenting with different set-ups.

i set the front and rear camber with the car on the ground. i tried setting the toe with the car on the ground but the steering wheel kept moving, so thats when i raised the car to set front toe. last nite at work, i had some time to establish how much toe and camber i set according to metric measurements, and it appears i have too much toe-in and camber. im going to do some more problem solving to get it closer to specs. though, im sure theres already a formula for this. ill search the Internet and find out.