I've read on here that some people are doing their own alignments. Does that mean that you guys are doing the whole hyper-accurate manual string alignments, or do you have your own gauges, or are you just turning every bolt that you can adjust to get max camber? I'm thinking that if I'm just looking to increase camber, I shouldn't need to pay somebody to max it out, but I'm not sure if I'm missing something important here. I've done alignments with camber and toe gauges on a tiny single seat off road racecar, but it's a little different from my 8. Can I do this myself without seriously screwing something up? Thanks.

 

Just "maxing camber out" is not the answer, as you'll have no idea of the relative values, corner to corner, and also will be effecting toe.

But, yes, it is entirely possible to get a functional alignment using string or toe bar and any type of gauge which shows variance from level (bubble or digital)...as long as your measurements are entirely consistent and the surface you are working on is truly "square to the world"

 

As far as I can tell, most people on this board at the very least try to max out front camber, and then set rear camber relative to the front. Is that correct?

I have access to longacre toe plates and a longacre camber gauge. I just don't have a good way to attach the gauge to the wheel, but assuming I get that to work out, does this seem like a reasonable way to get this done?

If not, are you guys all going to competition-oriented shops or do you just drop by the local tire store and tell them what you want? Thanks for the help.

 

Hold the toe plates over the tire at a ~45 degree angle (to avoid the bulge where the tire rests on the ground) and use the plate as a base for the camber gauge.

 

I have laser toe plates and a Smartcamber setup

I usually get it done on the rack for a square baseline and then make any needed adjustments from there using my tools. Surprising how many times it comes in where expected once it gets put back on the rack again ...

 

Any recommendations for laser toe gauges. I've drooled for years over the dunlop optical ones since I first saw them years ago. My trammel bar works fine for open wheeled cars but is a real pain on a street car.

 

several options, but this is what I have

http://www.advancedracing.com/toe_plates.php

the plain plates and tape measure are a lot cheaper, but I often don't have an extra person around and the laser setup is a super easy 1 person deal

 

I just bought the lifetime alignment from Firestone, then I can have it re-aligned before and after track each time and any other time as much as I feel like it.

 

^^^^^

I am in a huge fight with Good year over that same 'lifetime alignment'.

My car (the MR2 in my avatar) has been in 5 times, and it still pulls insanely hard to the right.





If there is an easy way to align the car myself, I will do it. I always thought you needed an alignment rack to do align a car

 

have they done anything other then an alignment?

if not then just to let you know theres more things then just an alignment that will make your car pull.

ive seen tons of cars develop severe pulls just from rotating the tires.

kevin.

 

^^^^

Frame is straight
Tires are all brand new
Suspension is new
wheels are all perfect
Brakes are functioning perfect



I just think my local goodyear shop hires all noobs

 

It's pretty hard to screw up an alignment on a properly calibrated Hunter or equivalent rack...even for a noob.

When you say "suspension is new", what does that mean? That might be my first area to look at closely...

Question: When you guys are talking about "lifetime" alignments from tire stores, does that include changing the alignment parameters whenever you want or does it mean that you can have it checked whenever you want and, if necessary, returned to the original specs?

 

I think it is meant to be like that. I don't think they will be too respective to feedback on handling balance at the limit and how well it is rotating. They will keep it within factory specs for you.

 

everybody I know who tried the lifetime alignment deal got a lifetime lesson in getting screwed out of their money

 

Well, the track day that I was going to this weekend got canceled due to weather, so I was able to put off my alignment a little bit longer. I think I'm going to try doing it myself with the gauges that I have and some greased tiles, and then when I screw it up, I got some recommendations on local shops that can fix it for me. I'll report back on how it goes whenever it happens.