Doing your own wheel alignment
Discussion
Having had countless episodes of taking a car in for wheel alignment only for the ESN goon to get it completely wrong (or, in at least one case, break the car), with the latest fume-worthy experience just this morning (conclusion: refund demanded, car removed from premises as he clearly didn't know a wheel alignment from sweeping the yard), I'm wondering how feasible it it to DIY?
A quick eBay throws up something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Wheel-Alignment-Ga...
Is that going to be any good? I know it won't do a 4-wheel reset, or camber or anything fancy, but 3 sets of basic alignment at £25 and it's paid for. I only took the car in because I replaced the wishbones and TREs at the weekend, and I'm 100% confident of my ability to do the task, given access to the requisite gauge.
Feedback welcome - if these kits are useless and I really have got to suck up letting goons loose and having no way of knowing whether they have got the settings halfway right, then I'll have to look for another place to get it checked, but I'm very much minded to go for doing it myself and knowing it's right.
A quick eBay throws up something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Wheel-Alignment-Ga...
Is that going to be any good? I know it won't do a 4-wheel reset, or camber or anything fancy, but 3 sets of basic alignment at £25 and it's paid for. I only took the car in because I replaced the wishbones and TREs at the weekend, and I'm 100% confident of my ability to do the task, given access to the requisite gauge.
Feedback welcome - if these kits are useless and I really have got to suck up letting goons loose and having no way of knowing whether they have got the settings halfway right, then I'll have to look for another place to get it checked, but I'm very much minded to go for doing it myself and knowing it's right.
You haven't mentioned what car it is. But on most modern suspension set ups I'd want full 4 wheel alignment not just tracking.
Also, take it to somewhere reputable with a decent machine, proper alignment machine is thousands, so wouldn't trust eBay stuff. They will give you a detailed print out of where the alignment was when you brought it in, the manufactures tolerances, and where the tracking is set now (within tolerances)
Also, take it to somewhere reputable with a decent machine, proper alignment machine is thousands, so wouldn't trust eBay stuff. They will give you a detailed print out of where the alignment was when you brought it in, the manufactures tolerances, and where the tracking is set now (within tolerances)
Benj1984 said:
You haven't mentioned what car it is. But on most modern suspension set ups I'd want full 4 wheel alignment not just tracking.
Also, take it to somewhere reputable with a decent machine, proper alignment machine is thousands, so wouldn't trust eBay stuff. They will give you a detailed print out of where the alignment was when you brought it in, the manufactures tolerances, and where the tracking is set now (within tolerances)
Go look how it is checked at a racetrackAlso, take it to somewhere reputable with a decent machine, proper alignment machine is thousands, so wouldn't trust eBay stuff. They will give you a detailed print out of where the alignment was when you brought it in, the manufactures tolerances, and where the tracking is set now (within tolerances)
Many use pieces of string and a ruler
I don't think what happens at a racetrack is relevant to the real world. Also, a race car has had 1000s spent on development to get the set up correct in the first place, so any adjustment would be minor and around the set up already in place. The point being, they already know for a fact the alignment, string and ruler thing is just to tweak. If the OP knows for a fact what the state of his alignment is now then he needn't worry about checking it surely?
This particular episode was on my Fiat Coupe. Although my thoughts were around using such a tool to check the rest of the fleet as well.
How do you find a decent, competent, reputable place to get this done? I'm near Maidstone in Kent. I have no issue paying for it, it's just that I have had SO many instances of the job not being done properly ( as a minimum, getting the steering wheel straight - if that's not been done how can you have any confidence the alignment is right?).
The monkey today told me he couldn't get the wheel straight because "the locking clamp slides on your leather seats so it keeps moving". Ah, so I've got the first car you've ever been asked to align which has leather seats then?
How do you find a decent, competent, reputable place to get this done? I'm near Maidstone in Kent. I have no issue paying for it, it's just that I have had SO many instances of the job not being done properly ( as a minimum, getting the steering wheel straight - if that's not been done how can you have any confidence the alignment is right?).
The monkey today told me he couldn't get the wheel straight because "the locking clamp slides on your leather seats so it keeps moving". Ah, so I've got the first car you've ever been asked to align which has leather seats then?
Have a look here, keep meaning to make something up for exactly the reasons of the OP.
http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Geo_Alignment_Rig_(Home_Ma...
http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Geo_Alignment_Rig_(Home_Ma...
I've strung my caterham up a couple of times after bending it at circuits but it never felt as good as it does after a full lazer geometry.
As others have said there is more to the job than setting the front axle toe and having a full 4x4 lazer check/adjust is also a useful diagnostic tool as parts wear out. It's also a rare opportunity to have the car up on a ramp and have a look at the underside.
As others have said there is more to the job than setting the front axle toe and having a full 4x4 lazer check/adjust is also a useful diagnostic tool as parts wear out. It's also a rare opportunity to have the car up on a ramp and have a look at the underside.
CAPP0 said:
How do you find a decent, competent, reputable place to get this done?
Where have you been going? Tyre and exhaust centers might have the requisite gear but all to often the knuckle draggers attempting to operate them let the side down. I'd suggest looking into motorsport companies near Brands Hatch which do race car geometry. They might charge a bit more but they are more likely to get repeatable results and take pride in their work.
Finally, how do you know the previous set-ups were wrong (breaking stuff aside!)
HustleRussell said:
CAPP0 said:
How do you find a decent, competent, reputable place to get this done?
Where have you been going? Tyre and exhaust centers might have the requisite gear but all to often the knuckle draggers attempting to operate them let the side down. I'd suggest looking into motorsport companies near Brands Hatch which do race car geometry. They might charge a bit more but they are more likely to get repeatable results and take pride in their work.
Finally, how do you know the previous set-ups were wrong (breaking stuff aside!)
The only places I've had 4-wheel alignment done were marque specialists on a couple of cars, although I do agree you do get a comprehensive printout of what's what.
I'll have a look at what's around Brands, I'm actually at W Malling so only a few miles away.
CAPP0 said:
Having long since been put off the chain sheds, I've used independents more recently, but yes, tyre & exhaust places rather than alignment/suspension specialists. I'm not looking for anything other than the car not pulling to either side, the steering wheel straight, and the tyres not wearing prematurely!
The only places I've had 4-wheel alignment done were marque specialists on a couple of cars, although I do agree you do get a comprehensive printout of what's what.
I'll have a look at what's around Brands, I'm actually at W Malling so only a few miles away.
I'm not a mechanic but after being shown a few times I'm pretty well conversant with the lazer equipment. If I can do it, a half decent independant with the same gear could probably smash it in half the time.The only places I've had 4-wheel alignment done were marque specialists on a couple of cars, although I do agree you do get a comprehensive printout of what's what.
I'll have a look at what's around Brands, I'm actually at W Malling so only a few miles away.
The reason I suggested motorsport places is because they're more likely to work to close tolerances with little room for error and as such should have accurate, well-calibrated gear and a guy who can use it properly.
All the better if you can find a reliable independent garage.
doogz said:
McWigglebum4th said:
Go look how it is checked at a racetrack
Many use pieces of string and a ruler
Not sure what racetracks you attend, but when I used to spanner for one of the Fiesta/MINI teams at Knockhill and elsewhere, we were using proper laser wheel alignment tracking gauges. Ok, not quite a hunter, but not a piece of string either.Many use pieces of string and a ruler
Go to a place like Centre Gravity near Tamworth.
Discuss things with Chris there.
Then spend a few hundred quid on a proper geo.
You'll never bother with the £25 tracking places again.
Get all four wheels set right with castor,camber,cast - and balanced properly across the car.
You will not believe the difference this males until you have had it done.
(Other geo garages are available. Apparently WIM is good, but I have never used it.)
Discuss things with Chris there.
Then spend a few hundred quid on a proper geo.
You'll never bother with the £25 tracking places again.
Get all four wheels set right with castor,camber,cast - and balanced properly across the car.
You will not believe the difference this males until you have had it done.
(Other geo garages are available. Apparently WIM is good, but I have never used it.)
Snowboy said:
Go to a place like Centre Gravity near Tamworth.
Discuss things with Chris there.
Then spend a few hundred quid on a proper geo.
You'll never bother with the £25 tracking places again.
Get all four wheels set right with castor,camber,cast - and balanced properly across the car.
You will not believe the difference this males until you have had it done.
(Other geo garages are available. Apparently WIM is good, but I have never used it.)
Few hundred quid? What car is this on? on every modern car I've worked on, toe is the only thing you can adjust and if anything else is out, the solution is to replace the bent/worn bit for new...Discuss things with Chris there.
Then spend a few hundred quid on a proper geo.
You'll never bother with the £25 tracking places again.
Get all four wheels set right with castor,camber,cast - and balanced properly across the car.
You will not believe the difference this males until you have had it done.
(Other geo garages are available. Apparently WIM is good, but I have never used it.)
I do know and understand the whole 4-wheel alignment piece, but bear in mind here chaps that the car was fine before, and all I've done is replaced the wishbones, TREs and drop links. It went back together very close to how it came apart, I just need that checked and reset!!
Are the DIY laser gauges not worth the ink in the advert then?
Are the DIY laser gauges not worth the ink in the advert then?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff