A number of years ago I became interested in doing my own front end alignments and because to really research how they are done, why they are done and how to do them. There are many threads here and on many other forums on the topic to one degree or another and the thought came to mind to try and get something down on one thread, specifically about equipment but also to include any techniques.
As I was going through my research I determined that I needed some equipment to enable me to do alignments with some degree of accuracy. The real impetus for this was when a friend brought over his camber/caster gauge (see pic) and we used it on another one of my builds. It was then that I knew I needed one and jumped online and ordered one.
When I was working on my 70 Challenger, I ended up having Firm Feel rebuild by steering box and I installed a new fast ratio pitman arms and idler arm and subsequently decided I needed to align the front end. Since I had a new shiny tool I figured I was good to go. Well I soon ran into a couple of issues, first was that there was a bit of a learning curve for me and I had to figure out what to adjust when (camber, caster, toe) which I eventually did (in the order I just wrote).But then I had an issue with the UCA bolts being substandard (stripping the threads) which I overcame but getting quality ones. But then I went on to adjust the toe and determined that I needed toe plates. I bought those and proceeded to adjust the toe.
During this time, I experimented with all manner of DIY alignment techniques to include the string method. They all work, just depends on how much work you are willing to put into it. The one thing I had issues with is finding the center of the car because in my mind I needed to know this so that I was measuring off of a known point verses just measuring between the tires/wheels. I eventually determined that "if" you could positively ID the center it would be interesting and perhaps useful, but in reality you didn't need to as you are going to use the steering wheel and the toe measurements to get what you need.
All this led me think a lot about this and the PIA it was to try and work around the tires, crawl under the car to adjust the ti rod ends, etc. This got me to thinking about making some type of drive on ramps for my 2 post lift which lead me to alignment stands. The problem here is that if you pick the car up and put it back down on stands, the suspension isn't settled because the tires need to have a chance to become square to the road/surface (when you let the car down, part of the tire is "folded" under and needs to get square).
Another aspect of this was effort was a need for "turn plates" to allow the rotation of the wheels out and in 20 degrees. I tried several of the DIY methods (2 pieces of plate or metal with grease between them) cardboard, etc. But in the end I decided that I needed/wanted actual turn plates and subsequently I purchased some.
As I was looking at these stands I came across "Hub Stands" which essentially replace your wheel/tire and can allow you to do the same work without the issue of having a tire in your way. The main problem here is that again, when you put the car down (off a lift or jack), the suspension will be angled inward (as under the car) a small degree and this needs to be corrected prior to any alignment adjustments. Well, my search in this area found a place that puts a hub stand on a wheel roller (the thing you put under your tires so you can push a car around the shop). This got me to thinking that since I already have some of those wheel dollies, I could get a hub stand and marry the two and arrive at the same device. So (you guessed it) I ordered some up, however I will not get them for awhile so we will see how this is going to work. My idea is to adapt my hub stands to my wheel dollies and be able to accurately align the car without stings and other crap. There is another option which is to use "Ball Transfers" under the stand to accomplish the same thing, but I already have the dollies. I will also modify the hub stands to facilitate toe adjustments by attaching a square tube/bad to each that allows me to use the tape measures and reach the tie rod ends.
Now, for those of you who are wondering "why in the world go through so much trouble and BS when you could just run the car down to a shop or do it the old school way" I would say "because I can".. I do not like giving my car over to someone at a shop so there is that, secondly I like buying and having tools, so there is that, and lastly I like knowing everything I can about every aspect of the vehicle.
So to wrap this up, I have purchased the camber/caster alignment tool, toe plates, turn plates and the hub stands. I know there are those who say that on a Mopar, you turn one cam inward and the other outward and then adjust the toe and your are done, that was not my experience at all as when I did this it would be fine until I turned the wheel to one lock and moved the vehicle. The force of moving the vehicle would move the cam bolt on one or the other side. Obviously I had something not right or way out of whack and eventually I overcame it, but I never had a good solid feeling about the alignment and my current efforts are an attempt to overcome that.
So for anyone who was able to get through reading all this and is interested in this subject whether it be tips, tricks, equipment or techniques I am sure there are others here who are interested (at least I am).
Topic: Who does (or wants to do) their own alignments? A discussion about tech & Equip (Read 1113 times)
