DIY Front End Alignment

[Rockable]

I restore old cars and put updated suspension and drivetrain in them. These are cars with a solid rear axle, so only a front end alignment is needed and lots of these cars have wheel wells that make it difficult to mount the 4 required alignment sensors that come on today's alignment machines. After doing a little investigation, I bought a DIY front end alignment kit from AutoSolo (www.autosolotools.com) and just completed an alignment on my 56 Ford Wagon project. Wow! I'm impressed with the quality of the tools and the price. Right now, I have one more car to align after it comes out of the upholstery shop. I figure the tools will have paid for themselves after that because doing an alignment on an old car like this can get time consuming since it's never been aligned. I wish I had bought these a long time ago because I had much rather do it myself.

 

[Lorydr]

It's funny on most of the reality car build/restoration tv shows, in that you rarely see any alignment procedures. Maybe just off camera, hopefully.

 

[whateg01]

I restore old cars and put updated suspension and drivetrain in them. These are cars with a solid rear axle, so only a front end alignment is needed and lots of these cars have wheel wells that make it difficult to mount the 4 required alignment sensors that come on today's alignment machines. After doing a little investigation, I bought a DIY front end alignment kit from AutoSolo (www.autosolotools.com) and just completed an alignment on my 56 Ford Wagon project. Wow! I'm impressed with the quality of the tools and the price. Right now, I have one more car to align after it comes out of the upholstery shop. I figure the tools will have paid for themselves after that because doing an alignment on an old car like this can get time consuming since it's never been aligned. I wish I had bought these a long time ago because I had much rather do it myself.

I've seen some that use your phone and cameras. I haven't clicked the link yet to see what this one does. I hate to see the prices charged for an alignment on a solid rear axle vehicle. I'm really not all that concerned over caster and camber. I'm more worried about toe. I can get close with a tape measure but it's hard to be on both sides of the vehicle at the same time. I did ask about getting my f150 aligned after putting a lift kit on it and found it humorous when the guy kept insisting that I need the 4 wheel alignment. I guess maybe they check to see if the axle is straight?

 

[lolaetype]

It's funny on most of the reality car build/restoration tv shows, in that you rarely see any alignment procedures.

Probably because they haven't yet figured out how to write in a bunch of scripted (fake) drama.

 

[whateg01]

Probably because they haven't yet figured out how to write in a bunch of scripted (fake) drama.

I watched a fabrats video last night where they are building a truck and he did the alignment on the lift. You're right, it wasn't very dramatic.

 

[jsaw]

I did ask about getting my f150 aligned after putting a lift kit on it and found it humorous when the guy kept insisting that I need the 4 wheel alignment. I guess maybe they check to see if the axle is straight?

Four wheel is done to check the thrust angle. If the rear axle alignment is off for whatever reason it will affect the thrust angle.( truck will dog track) The front alignment is adjusted based on the thrust angle.

 

[Mark_17]

The parts look like the generic ones you can get on Amazon.

 

[Beerhippie]

Four wheel is done to check the thrust angle. If the rear axle alignment is off for whatever reason it will affect the thrust angle.( truck will dog track) The front alignment is adjusted based on the thrust angle.

I had a Ford Falcon Supervan many years ago that went down the road at about a fifteen-degree angle. Hard to stay between the white lines that way.

 

[In The Doghouse]

That 56 Ford Wagon looks beautiful!

 

[Jack_K]

The rear alignment is important. Just like the front end on most cars only has toe adjustment but everything is checked in case something is bent or installed wrong.

The lack of an adjustment nut doesn't mean it doesn't need to be checked or corrected.

The thrust angle should be checked and there are various issues which can cause it to be off. Sometimes loosening the U bolts and shifting it over is enough. Spring load or sag changes it as well as any other damage or poor manufacturing. I have found bent diffs.

I have a 1930s alignment book and it goes through all the checks of the rear alignment.

I guess I'm a little odd because I'm even looking to buy the tools to adjust solid front axles.

 

[gregs]

I have a project truck that I am building. Its surprising how much movement you can get on a rear axle both front to back and side to side. I used the Gyraline app to establish the thrust angle. When I was finished aligning it I dropped some points to the floor from the wheel centerlines and measured the wheelbase left and right as well as measuring it for squareness and its spot on.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I learned to drive on a 56 Ford wagon my dad bought new. I drove it from 64 to 74 and eventually sold it for scrap. Wish I still had it. IT had the Thunder buzzard 312 with 4 barrel on it. Only engine problems I ever had were fuel pump busted vacuum related. Still had solid lifters that had to be adjusted at 100,000 miles. I found an overdrive transmission, 3 speed manual and overdrive. That cut the engine speed at interstate travel and made the engine sound a lot better. This was the overdrive Ford built on the transmission that shifted when you let up on the gas and then down again if over 40mph.

 

[signcrafter]

I restore old cars and put updated suspension and drivetrain in them. These are cars with a solid rear axle, so only a front end alignment is needed and lots of these cars have wheel wells that make it difficult to mount the 4 required alignment sensors that come on today's alignment machines. After doing a little investigation, I bought a DIY front end alignment kit from AutoSolo (www.autosolotools.com) and just completed an alignment on my 56 Ford Wagon project. Wow! I'm impressed with the quality of the tools and the price. Right now, I have one more car to align after it comes out of the upholstery shop. I figure the tools will have paid for themselves after that because doing an alignment on an old car like this can get time consuming since it's never been aligned. I wish I had bought these a long time ago because I had much rather do it myself.

Which kit or what all did you buy to do your alignment?

 

[Rockable]

Which kit or what all did you buy to do your alignment?

I just bought the starter kit. The wheel clamp is excellent and won't scratch my chrome or polished wheels.

 

[AldeanFan]

Beautiful wagon.

We have an old school alignment shop in a nearby city where I take all my stuff.
They actually posted a pick of my woody wagon on their alignment rack on their social media