DIY Alignment

[DJCarbine]

I've done similar (albeit less complicated) home alignments and went to alignment shops to get it checked afterwards.

If you are anal about your alignment, you can get closer than most alignment places can. I've had horrible experiences with lazy alignment techs where "good enough" was their motto.

[gutbuster]

Excellent thread!!! i have applied the same methods on my CRX, 911, MR2 spyder, Passat wagon and Odyssey van. It's not for everyone, but if you are methodical and understand the basics you can do a very good job. Heck, you think guys that track their cars go to an alignment shop to tweak settings?

[JesseE]

I can't tell you how many times someone has done the alignment themselves at home for 100's of dollars and then they wear the tires out after 6 months bring it to our shop and we put it on our laser alignment rack and its wayyyy off.

Problem is half a degree off on toe and your tires can be gone in months... just not worth it IMO.

Props to you if you can get it right, but it will cost you more time/money/energy then taking it to someone with a laser alignment rack who can do it in less than a hour. My last shop would do alignments for 59.99 with whatever custom settings you want.

[Stevo22]

Originally Posted by FRSFirestorm

One more thing I'll add to this thread. I've mentioned it in another.

I would have expected to see a difference in the equdistant with a parallel string.

From published data I've found:

Front track width 1519mm
Rear track width 1539mm

I expected to see a 10mm difference in equidistant between the front and rear when I strung it. It was not there and I can't explain it.

Have you done this again and seen the difference between front and rear track width? Seems strange that your readings show no track difference and the published data suggest there is one.

[FRSFirestorm]

Originally Posted by Stevo22

Have you done this again and seen the difference between front and rear track width? Seems strange that your readings show no track difference and the published data suggest there is one.

I haven't done it again. Shortly after this alignment I had a set of Koni's installed and had the shop that installed them also do an alignment.

I still can't explain the track difference.

[FT_Monk]

Originally Posted by JesseE

I can't tell you how many times someone has done the alignment themselves at home for 100's of dollars and then they wear the tires out after 6 months bring it to our shop and we put it on our laser alignment rack and its wayyyy off.

Problem is half a degree off on toe and your tires can be gone in months... just not worth it IMO.

Props to you if you can get it right, but it will cost you more time/money/energy then taking it to someone with a laser alignment rack who can do it in less than a hour. My last shop would do alignments for 59.99 with whatever custom settings you want.

I have the opposite experience lol. My SVT was aligned every year with new tires, my WRX was aligned for 10 times and 2 set of tires before I realized that these alignment places were trully hit or missed. Mostly missed! I learned to align with string and everything is well since. What happen is alignment tech do not, cannot spend time on careful setup, the machine calibration can be crap, or they just simply don't care.
Alignment at home is hard work, but if you have a place to work and want to set the car up how you want it to be, it can be rewarding.

[FT_Monk]

Originally Posted by FRSFirestorm

One more thing I'll add to this thread. I've mentioned it in another.

I would have expected to see a difference in the equdistant with a parallel string.

From published data I've found:

Front track width 1519mm
Rear track width 1539mm

I expected to see a 10mm difference in equidistant between the front and rear when I strung it. It was not there and I can't explain it.

I have not work with the twin, but the wider rear track should be there. When you set up your string, if the front is 103mm from the center of the wheel, the rear should be 93mm.

[OICU812]

Doing stuff for yourself is very rewarding and this is just cool! Likely I will just have a shop do mine when needed again simply cause of tools, lack of and the time involved in doing this yourself. Kudos big time for the extensive writeup and great detail given!!!

[p00mba]

this is legit..

[Stevo22]

@FRSFirestorm Ok so at lunch I measured from one of the inside tire grooves (see picture below)to the other front and rear.



The difference was 3/8 inch which is almost 10mm. So I am not sure why you did not get the track difference. Are your aftermarket wheels square or staggered?

[FRSFirestorm]

Originally Posted by Stevo22

@FRSFirestorm Ok so at lunch I measured from one of the inside tire grooves (see picture below)to the other front and rear.


The difference was 3/8 inch which is almost 10mm. So I am not sure why you did not get the track difference. Are your aftermarket wheels square or staggered?

Same wheels. The only thing I can figure is the wheel center cap is slightly convex and I wasn't dead center on all of them. When I string it again I'll remove the wheels and measure to the hub ring.

[FT_Monk]

The string set up is wrong.

[Stevo22]

Originally Posted by FT_Monk

The string set up is wrong.

Care to explain?

[ftc~brz]

wow. I'm amazed!
your diy reminded me I need to get 1/2 conduit for curtain rods. Double kudos for you!