DIY wheel alignment

[AndyP]

Anybody done this before?

I started off trying to get it set roughley right so I could drive it to the one place I trust to do it properly, now I've got carried away and want to try and get it spot on

I've got the front wheels set dead parallel at the moment, now I need to establish a centre line on the car so I can make sure the wheels are pointing forward, and put the right amount of toe on. I've seen various methods using string down the centre of the car, or even on 4 cones around the outside of the car.

Any suggestions?

[Donnie]

I set the alignment myself on my cars, I use 2x 2.0m long spirit levels with bolts through the machined edges set to exactly the same height. This gives enough clearance to miss deep bumpers. I also have 6mm threaded bars through with wingnuts on one end and a hook on the other. The m6 bar holds the bolt heads tight against the wheel rim. I've measured (exactly) the distance from the first bolt to a point near the end and then I measure distance apart at two points then diagonally from inboard point to outboard point this ensures the angle is equal on each side. Bit of trigonometry and your wheels are set to decimal fractions of a degree. Also if you attach them vertically you can set the camber perfectly equal too. Remember to lock the steering dead centre. I use a piece of timber with both windows open through the car and clamped to the steering wheel. For mega accuracy put 3x bags of sheep food in the drivers seat (or a suitable substitute weighing +/- 80 kg)
One convienient thing about spirit levels is the bubble indicates when you have the gauges level or vertical and the surfaces are dead straight.
Grind the specs of the heads of the bolts and set their height with a vernier as even 0.1mm makes a big difference over 2.0m

[stocious]

This is something I'm going to need to do.. Many thanks for starting thread

[Donnie]

Goes without saying you need correctly inflated tyres, a level area to work and you must roll the car at least one wheel circumference back and forward after each adjustment then remeasure and recalculate. I've got dunlop gauges and a camber gauge too but the bumper on the s2 is too deep.

[DJones]

I do my own too. I shim the car up on 3mm hardboard to get it level for camber adjustment, I use a magnetic camber gauge.

For track I have two pieces of timber with slots cut at each end for fishing line to sit in. One piece is screwed to the front bumper under the number plate, centre lined.

The other screws to the bottom of the rear valance, again centred. The fishing line is then stretched from end to end, basically putting the car inside a box. I then use a plastic 100mm wide straightedge that sits on the rim of the wheel, this straight edge has two strips of an old tape measure glued in place. I simply work my way around each corner adjusting accordingly, the fact it's all screwed to the car means it can't be knocked out of place plus you can move the car around allowing checks for buckled wheels etc.

Interestingly I once checked my set up on a laser machine and it was bang on...

Hope it helps.

Darren.

[Error404]

I pay a man with an optical scanner £40 to do mine while I drink free coffee and inspect the underside of my car

[Donnie]

I'd love to have that option but the only people with the laser gear up here don't have a clue - I mean really don't. They don't give a **** about doing a job right and they haven't even got a grip of basic geometry.

[stocious]

My usual guy is gone to oz and his alco boss is definitely not touching it, so I'll be following what's posted here.. As I have no idea where to bring it once rolling.. I've been looking at some magnetic tracking tools past few days and would appreciate any input As to what to buy?

[s2driveruk]

hmmm, reminds me i need to do mine soon, front left is scrubbing nicely and car is fidgety which usually means its ready lol Will wait till nights open out and refresh the front bushes etc and then do it but will watch with interest at £55 a pop

[malncol]

My usual guy is gone to oz and his alco boss is definitely not touching it, so I'll be following what's posted here.. As I have no idea where to bring it once rolling.. I've been looking at some magnetic tracking tools past few days and would appreciate any input As to what to buy?

where abouts in OZ did he end up . might be handy for me
mal

[G60Rallye]

I string my car up to set its tracking. Its the easiest and best way to get it bang on. Used on lots of race cars who usually have very nicely machined brackets that attach to the front and rear of the car.

[Mr.Crossfire]

So it seems that the poor worksmanship is an universal problem with the wheel aligning. I got so pissed with the "service" quality of majority of alignment places, that I started a business of my own. Bought an used Facom GTR-300, car lift I had already. Been doing alignments every now and then, most of my customers having quattros. Out in the "field" the string-method seems to be working quite nicely.

[s2driveruk]

great to get a pictorial 'how to' on this stuff...

[terrybullwon]

Built this for mine.

I still need a good days work to get it 100% but you get the idea

[Sir Buff]

How about this?

http://trackace.co.uk/Trackace.html