DIY wheel alignment - string method

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Anyone do home wheel alignment?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuYsd7SUwTA

Garages often charge around £40-60 - is the home DIY method as good?

[Locknut]

That method would be perfect if the front and rear track widths were exactly the same and if the toe setting were exactly parallel. Unfortunately most of the time this is not the case. However I would think the method would be OK for an initial set-up after doing some work.

[b2hbm]

Yes, I've done it on my cars using several methods over the years. The main requirement is a good level floor and enough space to move the car & settle the suspension.

I'm a bit hesitant about the video clip. There's nothing wrong with using string but when I've used it, it's generally been held away from the car wheels and measurements taken at front & rear rims on both sides of the car so you can do all 4 wheels. Something like the link below.

http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Geo_Alignment_Rig_%28Home_Made%29

I've also used the Gunsons Trackmaster which seems remarkably easy but IMO takes just as much care as simple measuring to ensure it's right.

There's nothing magical about places that do alignment checks, the equipment is very clever but it's all down to the guy doing the job. There was a thread on here recently about how someone had experience of poor alignment work.

Typical problems seem to be time-related; for example adjusting only one side of the car to get the correct reading, which means the rack is no longer central and in a bad case the steering wheel is off-center. Some cars (older Lotus) specify a laden weight for such jobs because as the suspension moves it alters the tracking. That's why I do my own work, I have time to set it exactly as per workshop manual and don't have a queue of customers and a boss tapping his fingers....

[Quinten]

National Tyres do an alignment with a 50% discount voucher bringing it to a very manageable £25... just don't fall into the trap of agreeing to any little "extra's" they want to do "whilst they're at it"

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

b2hbm said:

That's why I do my own work, I have time to set it exactly as per workshop manual and don't have a queue of customers and a boss tapping his fingers....

Thanks.
That's exactly why I want to have a go myself. I have paid to have it done many times, but only once has it been done 100% perfectly.
The tricky thing I guess is getting any toe in/out set as per the manual. But for my car it's in the range of 0 +/- 0.08 which is pretty much dead ahead.

I'll have a go this weekend.

[steveo3002]

ive been doing the string method , done 3 cars now and it seems to be fine , bit frustrating getting it right

if you read up enough on it plenty of race teams use string so it cant be so bad

the method i use is 2 bars that have slots cut for the string to sit in , position those on axle stands and run fishing line down the sides of the car , then use a ruler to measure from the hub of the car and keep moving the bars until you have a square box around the car, front /rear distances will be differant to allow for wider track etc

post 42 kinda explains how i do mine

http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?169701-DIY-t...

Edited by steveo3002 on Tuesday 22 October 10:18

[bearman68]

I've used one of these very successfully.

Well worth it for £70, especially after changing a track rod end or something

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOME-DIY-LASER-BEAM-WHEE...

[Locknut]

steveo3002 said:

post 42 kinda explains how i do mine

http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?169701-DIY-t...

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[Nick1point9]

Locknut said:

That method would be perfect if the front and rear track widths were exactly the same and if the toe setting were exactly parallel. Unfortunately most of the time this is not the case. However I would think the method would be OK for an initial set-up after doing some work.

Neither of these are a limitation. Cars can be set up perfectly accurately by stringing, just takes patience and precision.

[Stuartggray]

Nick1point9 said:

Locknut said:

That method would be perfect if the front and rear track widths were exactly the same and if the toe setting were exactly parallel. Unfortunately most of the time this is not the case. However I would think the method would be OK for an initial set-up after doing some work.

Neither of these are a limitation. Cars can be set up perfectly accurately by stringing, just takes patience and precision.

Yes.