DIY Alignment

[FRSFirestorm]

I'm thinking once I install my new springs and adjustable suspension bits I'll do my own alignments.

Doing some research and I've come up with 3 possible camber/caster/toe gauges. Anybody have any experience with these and can offer some feedback to them?

LongAcre - Concerned it won't mount to the wheel. http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=1580&catid=5

FastTrax - you can get a Toe measure add on. Non digital. Uses bubble measure and I'm concerned about accuracy.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Specialty-Prod...10#moreDetails

QuickTrick - This is the one I'm leaning toward. Has a separate Toe gauge.
http://www.quicktrickalignment.com/s...tem-with-case/

[d1ck]

Jesus, that QuickTrick system looks awesome.

[ft86Fan]

The QuickTrick looks interesting. Please if you don't mind write a review if you do get it. Thanks.

[mact]

Interesting. I would love to hear a review on the QuickTrick kit. My dad's alignment on his car is so bad that any adjustment would make it better.

[JesseE]

If you like to buy tires every 6 months cause they are worn out because a "string" or "bubble" alignment... lol go ahead

Alignment shops are cheap, just find a good one and work a deal with them if you need multiples.

[celica73]

I've got this camber gauge:
http://www.toyheadauto.com/CasterCamberGauge.html

It's cheap and effective. It does not work very well with 17" wheels (at least not my version).

I also use Longacre toe plates. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Longacre-Toe-Plates-Includes-Tapes/dp/B000VAOHB2"]Longacre Toe Plates (Set) Includes (2) Tapes : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]

Between my cars, and all the people I've loaded the plates to, thousands of dollars have been saved.

[Hardrock4445]

How often you planning on aligning your vehicle? For the range of 200-300 I would think you could get a few alignments on a true alignment rack by a professional. I would think for such a new car that had no rusted/frozen bolts you should be around 80-100 bucks for a 4-wheel align.

[FRSFirestorm]

Looks like I may be the guinea pig.

Originally Posted by JesseE

If you like to buy tires every 6 months cause they are worn out because a "string" or "bubble" alignment... lol go ahead

Alignment shops are cheap, just find a good one and work a deal with them if you need multiples.

Thanks for the ummm..... warning. I'll take it in consideration. From the research I've done, string and bubble alignments can be done quite accurate if done properly.

There are several reasons I want to do it myself. I won't go into them. The purpose of this post was not to debate the logic of doing your own alignments but to ask about the equipment available out there to do them.

[FRSFirestorm]

Originally Posted by celica73

I've got this camber gauge:
http://www.toyheadauto.com/CasterCamberGauge.html

It's cheap and effective. It does not work very well with 17" wheels (at least not my version).

I also use Longacre toe plates. Longacre Toe Plates (Set) Includes (2) Tapes : Amazon.com : Automotive

Between my cars, and all the people I've loaded the plates to, thousands of dollars have been saved.

I've seen those tools in a couple DIY alignment pages and were the first I looked at when starting the search. Guess I'm willing to spend a bit more money to go digital.

[FRSFirestorm]

Originally Posted by Hardrock4445

How often you planning on aligning your vehicle? For the range of 200-300 I would think you could get a few alignments on a true alignment rack by a professional. I would think for such a new car that had no rusted/frozen bolts you should be around 80-100 bucks for a 4-wheel align.

Really don't know how many I'll do. Obviously the first and I like the idea of tweaking it a bit and then checking it ever so often. I like doing things myself and I'm in the middle of Smallsville KY. Any good shop I find would likely be hours away and an all day event when you count travel. Its more about time than cost. Along with the satisfaction and assurance its done right by doing it myself. In the past alignments are one of the very few things I've had a "professional" perform on my vehicles. They weren't all pleasant experiences.

[FrX]

Originally Posted by d1ck

Jesus, that QuickTrick system looks awesome.

Originally Posted by ft86Fan

The QuickTrick looks interesting. Please if you don't mind write a review if you do get it. Thanks.

Originally Posted by mact

Interesting. I would love to hear a review on the QuickTrick kit. My dad's alignment on his car is so bad that any adjustment would make it better.

I am similarly intrigued. I may just pick one up myself.

[Hardrock4445]

Originally Posted by FRSFirestorm

Really don't know how many I'll do. Obviously the first and I like the idea of tweaking it a bit and then checking it ever so often. I like doing things myself and I'm in the middle of Smallsville KY. Any good shop I find would likely be hours away and an all day event when you count travel. Its more about time than cost. Along with the satisfaction and assurance its done right by doing it myself. In the past alignments are one of the very few things I've had a "professional" perform on my vehicles. They weren't all pleasant experiences.

It is unfortunate that some people cannot provide a proper service to people, I know some shops in my area won't do 4 wheel align for less than 150. I charge depending on variables, amount of adjustments, age of vehicle, rust. Etc, I usually work out a price with my customers rather than a set price.

[FRSFirestorm]

Originally Posted by FrX

I am similarly intrigued. I may just pick one up myself.

Just ordered it. I'll do a review/writeup whenever I put it to work. May be a while.

[FRSFirestorm]

Originally Posted by Hardrock4445

It is unfortunate that some people cannot provide a proper service to people, I know some shops in my area won't do 4 wheel align for less than 150. I charge depending on variables, amount of adjustments, age of vehicle, rust. Etc, I usually work out a price with my customers rather than a set price.

Wish you were close. Sounds like you'd fall into the "good shop" category.