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thegoodbeamer
Jedi Warrior
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Has anybody used the DYI alignment tools.I'm looking at the FastTrax one from Summit.It is the same one Eastwood has but a bit less expensive.Mind you Eastwood has a video on using it
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ALIGNMENT TOOLS
- Thread starter thegoodbeamer
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TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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I assume you mean front-end alignment ... I use my own home-made tools. Rather crude and yet quite accurate for toe and camber.
The toe gauge is a length of 1x2 lumber, with two rectangles of 3/16" hardboard nailed to it. Turned so the hardboard sticks up, it comes just to the centerline of the tires. To use it, I jack up the front end and mark the tire surface while spinning them (to get a line I know is perpendicular to the axle), then set the car down and bounce it a few times to settle the suspension. Put the toe gauge on the rear of the wheels and make marks, then put it in front, match one mark and measure at the other mark.
For camber, I use a carpenters square, (2) 6" rulers and a pair of small C-clamps. Plus the assumption that my garage floor is reasonably flat (which it is). Clamp the rulers to the vertical leg of the square so they have the right spread to touch the rim outside each tire bead, while the other leg of the square is held on the floor. The sine of the camber angle times the wheel diameter gives the difference in ruler lengths.
The toe gauge is a length of 1x2 lumber, with two rectangles of 3/16" hardboard nailed to it. Turned so the hardboard sticks up, it comes just to the centerline of the tires. To use it, I jack up the front end and mark the tire surface while spinning them (to get a line I know is perpendicular to the axle), then set the car down and bounce it a few times to settle the suspension. Put the toe gauge on the rear of the wheels and make marks, then put it in front, match one mark and measure at the other mark.
For camber, I use a carpenters square, (2) 6" rulers and a pair of small C-clamps. Plus the assumption that my garage floor is reasonably flat (which it is). Clamp the rulers to the vertical leg of the square so they have the right spread to touch the rim outside each tire bead, while the other leg of the square is held on the floor. The sine of the camber angle times the wheel diameter gives the difference in ruler lengths.
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I've the old Dunlop AGO40 alignment gauge set-up. Works great on about anything but was originally for setting the FF and FA racecars.
https://www.dunlopge.co.uk/productmoreinfo.php?cat_ID=4&prid=65
https://www.dunlopge.co.uk/productmoreinfo.php?cat_ID=4&prid=65
I've got one of those too, Doc. Mine came from the McClaren Indy car team, and works a treat. I've also got a set of turntables, a Howe caster/camber gauge, and one of the blade type camber gauges.
Still use strings, too!
The AGO40 was very handy in setting up the Spit, with adjustable rear toe.
Jeff
Still use strings, too!
The AGO40 was very handy in setting up the Spit, with adjustable rear toe.
Jeff
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/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif ~scavenger!~ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
I got mine from England back in, oh, Idunno... There was rumor at the time that Dunlop was about to discontinue 'em. Camber gauge I got from Summit about the same time.
I got mine from England back in, oh, Idunno... There was rumor at the time that Dunlop was about to discontinue 'em. Camber gauge I got from Summit about the same time.
Doc, no scavenging involved. I paid $100.00, cash money for the AGO40 and the blade camber gauge combined.
I admit to scavenging the turntables, though. When I was at the GM Proving Grounds, they had built a new facility for the NVH Lab, and wouldn't have anything but new equipment. So, they just laid the old stuff out on benches and said that we could have anything we wanted. I scored quite a bit that day. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Jeff
I admit to scavenging the turntables, though. When I was at the GM Proving Grounds, they had built a new facility for the NVH Lab, and wouldn't have anything but new equipment. So, they just laid the old stuff out on benches and said that we could have anything we wanted. I scored quite a bit that day. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Jeff
OP
thegoodbeamer
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Thanks all
I do think I will order the tool.As to turntables,that part is easy.I screw a piece of plwood to each ramp.Both planes are level and the back is on stands and level.I put a well greased piece of plywood on the piece I have attached to the ramps.Crude but works quite well.I used a level for camber and a rod for toe in.Good enough for testing and going to an alignment shop
I do think I will order the tool.As to turntables,that part is easy.I screw a piece of plwood to each ramp.Both planes are level and the back is on stands and level.I put a well greased piece of plywood on the piece I have attached to the ramps.Crude but works quite well.I used a level for camber and a rod for toe in.Good enough for testing and going to an alignment shop
jlaird
Great Pumpkin
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For toe in I think you guys are working too hard.
Look around the pits at the race track.
A couple of peices of alum about 10x18 with about a 30 degree bend along one long side. Small v cut on flat side near the end, both peices need to be marked the same so you measure to the same spots.
Place against front wheels. Measure front and back of each peace of alum across the car. Make the measurements the same. That is 0 degrees folks.
Bugeyes are 0 degrees + or - 1/8.
Look around the pits at the race track.
A couple of peices of alum about 10x18 with about a 30 degree bend along one long side. Small v cut on flat side near the end, both peices need to be marked the same so you measure to the same spots.
Place against front wheels. Measure front and back of each peace of alum across the car. Make the measurements the same. That is 0 degrees folks.
Bugeyes are 0 degrees + or - 1/8.
jlaird
Great Pumpkin
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Surely would, works with any type tire wheel.
It is a peice of alum that is about 10 in by 18 inch, one of the long edges is bent a bit, about 30 degrees from the remander so that it sits nicely on the ground against the wheel leaving some hang over the front and tha back. The top edge of both peices are marked about one inch in from the end.
Push against the front wheels and measure at the marks across to the other front and rear, when both are the same toe in/out is 0.
https://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/item.asp?id=152&catid=5
It is a peice of alum that is about 10 in by 18 inch, one of the long edges is bent a bit, about 30 degrees from the remander so that it sits nicely on the ground against the wheel leaving some hang over the front and tha back. The top edge of both peices are marked about one inch in from the end.
Push against the front wheels and measure at the marks across to the other front and rear, when both are the same toe in/out is 0.
https://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/item.asp?id=152&catid=5
foxtrapper
Jedi Trainee
Offline
Some day I'll actually make this tool. Until then, sewing pins and a tape measure. As well seat of the pants and tire wear eyeballing.