alignment tool

[whipped383]

I found this today on the shelf in my shop.

Anyone know anything about them? Can anyone tell me if I am missing something from it? Any tips on using it?

 

[Fcvapor05]

Looks like you have the clamp and level, which should be all you need for caster and camber checks. That clamp is unlike anything I've ever used- I'm familiar with the 'tripod' style and the magnetic ones, but I don't see why that would't work.

I'm not exactly sure what good those pointers are going to do- they appear to be used to determine what the Ackerman ratio is for the car, which usually isn't adjustable unless you're talking about a race car.

 

[rtole]

About all I can offer, is I am glad I dont know how to use that. I like my hunter machine. (work machine) hang targets, roll back and forth.....caster sweep, start turning adjusters! That looks like torture.

 

[Bigplum]

Earlier VW Golfs (Rabbits ?) Polos, Lupo's have camber adjustment as well as Mazda MX5 ( Miata)

So it's still useful although it doesn't look fun to use , reading the instructions you may have some rods missing ( it mentions graduated rods)

 

[whipped383]

Doing an alignment yourself isn't that hard its just understanding what your doing. These types of instruments are actually easy to use. A laser machine is only as good as the guy using it and I'm looking for more of a custom job.

The pointers and boxes are for your caster swipe but I don't fully see how they work.

The graduated rods look like they are just for toe, no biggie there's other ways of checking that.

 

[pi_guy]

Normally you move the wheel 15 or 20 degrees to measure castor.
The most common way of setting toe on a race car <formula> is with string.
Fabricated bar in front and rear makes a box with string down the side and you can check all your toe and pick up points.

 

[DodgeMech]

About all I can offer, is I am glad I dont know how to use that. I like my hunter machine. (work machine) hang targets, roll back and forth.....caster sweep, start turning adjusters! That looks like torture.

yessir, gotta love it...cept when you get trucks so big you have to do the jacking comp...

Doing an alignment yourself isn't that hard its just understanding what your doing. These types of instruments are actually easy to use. A laser machine is only as good as the guy using it and I'm looking for more of a custom job.

The pointers and boxes are for your caster swipe but I don't fully see how they work.

The graduated rods look like they are just for toe, no biggie there's other ways of checking that.

mine don't use lasers...it uses cameras

 

[whipped383]

Like I said it's all just a matter of how you use the tool and how long your willing to take to get the results your after. Some of the custom stuff I do there are no specs for nor will an alignment shop touch it.


Its easy to setup, install the clamp and level it

Then flip it over and read your camber

Then turn the wheels and read caster. I don't fully see how these dials work tho as the arc the wheel turns on is different than what the pointer pivot point is.