Any DIY alignment setups

[moogoob]

Has anyone made a homeade DIY alignment setup?

In an effort to do as much as I can on my own, I'd like to set up my own alignment rack.

I'm pretty sure I can get toe and thrust angle good, not so sure about camber. A level place to start seems to be the biggest hurdle.

Looking for ideas on how to get a level space on the budget that can be moved around or dissassembled (10x12 garage). The self leveling epoxy boxes and high $$ racks are out of the question.

 

[Lou's Garage]

I just use the level concrete floor in my garage. The time consuming disadvantage is adjustments under the car. You must jack it up for access, then lower and roll out of the garage and back in to re-set the suspension to its normal loading.

I borrowed this idea from my dad. He had a third bay added onto his Esso station (Lou's Garage) specifically for wheel alignments. He made the contractor get the floor dead level. We only used stands when we had to get underneath a car for adjustments. This was before the days of electronic drive-on alignment benches when we only used bubble gauges, scuff gauges, and trammel bars. The principles of alignment are still the same, just the equipment has changed.

Lou

 

[sberry]

How many units does a guy have to do? What I do before alignments is loosen any bolts, sleeves etc that may need to be moved, the align guy does a better job if its easy and he doesn't have to fight rusted components.

 

[lametec]

http://members.rennlist.com/captearlg/928aligndiy.html

 

[Tlag]

http://members.rennlist.com/captearlg/928aligndiy.html

Awesome link!

I've done a lot of DIY auto projects. Replaced most major engine components, even swapped out an engine. But this looks like something well worth paying for. (Or getting free with tires.) Unless you don't trust your local shop, or your car needs weekly alignments.

 

[e-tek]

Yup - I do toe-in (too easy), but not camber and caster. A digital aligment is worth paying for. That and block machine work are the ONLY two things I paid for on my Chally rebuild.

 

[krusty the clown]

i can see setting camber and toe but not caster or the more important SAI.

 

[moogoob]

Castor is not adjustable on my car. (2000 Subaru)

E-tek: agree about the block work. Hoping to get to a point where that is the only thing.

Weekly alignments sounds good to me