Anybody use an old alignment machine at home?

[240sxguy]

I do every single piece of maintenance on my vehicles down to the body work. We have a local alignment guy who is awesome, but he's always booked out for at least a week. With my work schedule I can't easily plan that far ahead.

Now, I've seen some used hunter machines like the J111 pretty cheap. Anyone use one of these at home? Do I need a perfectly level floor etc?? Are there any caveats or any reasons why this is a terrible idea?

There is never any information online about these old used machines, so I can rarely figure out how old they are etc...

Thanks guys.

 

[t1snwbrdr12]

i googled a picture of that and it looks like exactly the model we use at the maint. shop i'm in (usps).

how would you plan on setting the alignment? on the garage floor? you'll at least need it on slip plates, which i'd assume you know. i interviewed at a tiny hole in the wall shop that used 3 foot or so tall jack stands that you'd lower the vehicle down onto (they had plates that the tires sat on). once compensated you could pull the pins so the plates would slip and give you accurate alignments. if you did this, as long as the jack stands were adjustable, you'd be able to find level. but yes, somehow you need the vehicle to be setting on a level surface. if it were high enough to make your adjustments on the ground, you could lay pieces of sheet metal to level your slip plates that each tire lays on. i'm sure it's possible to make it work with some creativity. just make sure you can update the software enough to align the vehicles you want to align, unless you're just going to manually input the specs per your liking.

 

[toplessHO]

I got a G111 off ebay a few years ago
Chrysler dealership working unit that was upgraded because of larger wheels etc.
UPS threw it around and bashed it up pretty bad,damage claim was as much as I paid for it.
Keep this in mind if buying remotely.
I use pairs of 14 and 15 inch wheels and 1 inch plywood cut in a circle and have measured all with laser to be even at top. Position of each set is marked.
Slideplates are used on front as I dont have anything that needs 4 wheel alignments
this is high enough that I can lower my 2 post lift and check,then raise to do work
I mark the floor with lumber crayon if I need to move any of the supports while working on it.

 

[Showkey]

You do not need complete alignment rack to do a quality alignment ............I have used several variations of a tools like this at home with excellent results:

http://www.eastwood.com/fasttrax-camber-caster-gauge.html

http://www.chain-auto-tools.com/under_car_tools/AMM635M.htm

Basics head and some turn plates and your set for a low cost and your store it in the corner with no electronic calibration problems. I love Hunter stuff but there is reason the stuff is on eBay, it's past it prime and spending more time calibrating and fixing the old stuff than actually using it.

Most true rack systems would be leveled during the install.
Many home type systems can be adjusted for floor slope.

For Fast flat rate alignment the tools are critical. A quality alignment depends on the technicians skills and knowledge. Especially true if your trying to solve an alignment problem ( drift pull etc) vs a maintenace alignment of "set the toe and let it go ".

 

[rsanter]

I have done many garage floor alighments with a tape measure and and inclinometer ( angle gauge) and the drive the car and make adjustments.
I had the mustang suspension completely apart, rebuilt and back together. Did the garage floor alighment and ended up taking the car on the track at Vegas speedway.
When I did have a chance to finally get the alighment checked and adjusted. The shop at first did not belive me that I had done the alighment on the garage floor as I did. Then they were surprised that I had it that close.

Go to an open track day at the race track. There are guys out there with mobile alighment setups. Very simple setups that work very well because they know the concepts of how a suspension system works

Bob

 

[240sxguy]

I have to agree with what you guys are saying. Antiquated equipment is going to lead to headaches. I really don't have the real estate to store a monster alignment machine either. My floor is sloped, you get the picture.

I was looking at some of the fastrax type equipment and ran across the quicktrick. Most of the time it'd be a matter of me correcting toe when I replaced tie rod ends for example. I'm still willing to use my good alignment guy when needed, but this could save me lots of time even if it takes more effort.

I need to do *something* but I'm not sure exactly what yet.

Thanks everybody.

Evan