must have alignment tools?
- Thread starter gsingh
- Start date
Two pieces of aluminum channel about 4 ft long with a string and fish hook on each end. Cut slots in the end for your two tape measures and do your toe settings by yourself. Just hang the channel above the bulge on the tire on each side. That an angle gauge and a roll of string and you can align any truck or trailer.
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TurboCup87
Well-known member
A Hunter rack???
devoncoolman
Well-known member
Knipex and pipe wrenches. The snap-on pipe wrenches make it easier at times. The otc tie rod adjuster set is nice for trucks
Gregster
Well-known member
A brake pedal depressor that doesn't slip.....
Claws work great!
Half moon wrenches are also good for camber/caster bolts are difficult to reach.
Claws work great!
Half moon wrenches are also good for camber/caster bolts are difficult to reach.
turdferguson13
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- Joined
- Jun 1, 2013
- Messages
- 195
Stubby wrenches. I did an alignment the other day where I could loosen the eccentric bolt easily but the other side of the bolt was out of sight and I could only fit a stubby wrench in.
What is a claw?
What is a claw?
INYER face hole
Active member
Pretty much covers it. I would add a ball peen dead blow and a good chisel set.
BearCuda
Well-known member
Yep, every other jam nut you come across will be frozen.
Yup...
dirtydogintex
Well-known member
might keep the occasional 6' pipe in case you get lucky and have some room
but above all don't forget the torch!!
but above all don't forget the torch!!
Everything they said, and some patients.
But the musts.
Tie rod sleeve adjusters(claw set)
Sockets/wrenches
The seldom used prybar
Cordles 1/4 impact for stupid undercarige pannels
And the most important thing is knowlage. As in cam bolts working in tandum, how to adjust for torque pull.
But thats mainly it. Ebay hunt for what you don't have, it would be cheaper.
But the musts.
Tie rod sleeve adjusters(claw set)
Sockets/wrenches
The seldom used prybar
Cordles 1/4 impact for stupid undercarige pannels
And the most important thing is knowlage. As in cam bolts working in tandum, how to adjust for torque pull.
But thats mainly it. Ebay hunt for what you don't have, it would be cheaper.
jsaw
Well-known member
Gear wrenches for bolts & nuts on tight areas
On alignments?
sbebenelli
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- Joined
- Jan 21, 2010
- Messages
- 79
On vehicles with slots in the strut mounting holes you'll want this
http://www.amazon.com/Industries-TC614-Air-Assisted-Multiple-Adjustment/dp/B000P72GGY
http://www.amazon.com/Industries-TC614-Air-Assisted-Multiple-Adjustment/dp/B000P72GGY
Attachments
jjb
Well-known member
I use these alot. You can grip extremely tightly with them on inner tie rod ends.
http://store.snapon.com/Pliers-Wrench-Wrench-Adjustable-Pliers-1-3-4-jaw-capacity-P640879.aspx
Also use this wrench on GM fullsize trucks for adjusting camber & caster. It is extra long so it offers great leverage.
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat...d-21x22-Metric-L-MD-Ratcheting-Reversible-Box
looks like this but has 21mm and 22mm sizes
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cornwell-CR...81568677?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item565a439fa5
http://store.snapon.com/Pliers-Wrench-Wrench-Adjustable-Pliers-1-3-4-jaw-capacity-P640879.aspx
Also use this wrench on GM fullsize trucks for adjusting camber & caster. It is extra long so it offers great leverage.
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat...d-21x22-Metric-L-MD-Ratcheting-Reversible-Box
looks like this but has 21mm and 22mm sizes
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cornwell-CR...81568677?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item565a439fa5
BearCuda
Well-known member
Or a buddy to yank on the outside of the tire while you tighten strut bolt. Anyone mention a pipe wrench for stubborn inner tie rods and a half inch impact swivel socket set for quick strut bolt loosening?
Milton Shaw
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- Feb 11, 2011
- Messages
- 4,835
Older models are where the specialty tools come in handy. A lot of fords required special tools to move the adjustable control arms for caster camber. Some front drive require torx bits to shim rear spindles to install shims. On the fords there were special tools for mustang II's, crown vic's, etc to set camber/caster. When you get into replacing parts worn before alignments you will need some pickle forks and ball joint press sets etc. But start off with what has been mentioned above. Whenl you run into the cars that need specialty tools, then check Ebay and here for sources of specialty tools not being used by retired mechanics. Truck and heavy duty take an entire different range of tools to set them, like I said it depends on what you run into.
One of the most important is a brain. Look at the tires coming off for tire wear and problems, recognize the patterns for toe and camber wear and adjust the cars to eliminate the wear not just to be within spec's. Also doing this you can also recognize when the alignment heads have been dropped and all the cars are the same amount off on the same wheel without tire wear to back it up.
One of the most important is a brain. Look at the tires coming off for tire wear and problems, recognize the patterns for toe and camber wear and adjust the cars to eliminate the wear not just to be within spec's. Also doing this you can also recognize when the alignment heads have been dropped and all the cars are the same amount off on the same wheel without tire wear to back it up.
jsaw
Well-known member
Yes, More specificly on GM trucks where you loosen the upper control arm to change the adjustments. there is not a lot of room to swing a wrench.
chris142
Well-known member
Anybody else still have there volarie prybars for moving the upper a arm shaft to align those turds? Mines with my other unused things like the olds cv boot installer and my northstar wp socket i used once.