Toe accuracy query

[ianmway]

Hello,
After looking at the toe settings in the workshop manual for my DB9, it says that the front toe should be 2.5’ (minutes) each side which on a 20” (515mm) rim works out to be a difference of 0.37mm front to back of the rim.

So even with modern laser alignment machines the slightest error due to;
• Machine being out of calibration
• Poor positioning the reflector mounts to the rim
• Any damage to the reflector mounts (IE they have probably been dropped once or twice)
• The designed slack in the suspension components (rubbers etc.)
of such a small distance will result in a significant error in measurement.

My query is how can you be sure that the measurements of such tiny distances are correct over the width of a car (for total toe)?

Thanks

[ianmway]

Thanks for your advise, after some fiddling around with lasers, digital levels metal bars & tape measures the car feels really good. The next thing is to take it in some where & find out how accurate I have been.

Can any one recommend a 4 wheel alignment place near Worthing West Sussex?

Thanks

[ianmway]

To round off the thread,

Using lasers, digital levels etc I got the alignment to a position I was happy with. The next step was to take it somewhere with the Hunter alignment system. I went to Setyres in Hove, yep as you have probably have guessed nearly all the settings were out, some how I had managed to get the steer ahead & trust angle pretty much dead on by not having the individual setting s correct!

I must point out that the young man "Chris" at Setyres Hove was very very good, took well over an hour to get it all correct I would highly recommend him.

In conclusion, you need the correct machinery to set the alignment properly. I really can't see that using ebay lasers, string, tape measures & digital levels etc will get you any closer than 0'30" (1/2 a degree) of where you want to be at the very best.

Thanks