old bear toe end machine

[sprint7]

My family has been in the front end business since the 1950's. We are cleaning up an old building and I can across an old machine that was removed from the shop many years ago. It is approx 12 feet wide and you drive over it and the shows the toe end setting in feet per mile. I have searched the web and cann't really fine any info on this thing. Anyone have an idea of its value if any? I hate to throw this away. Any suggestions?

This is a picture of the upright part.

 

[Benw455]

I have no idea. But post up more pics.

 

[Torque1st]

It is probably worth a bunch of $$$ as a nostalgia item. I remember them being used back in the days of my youth before all the computerized stuff came out. All old test equipment is worth $$$ to some people as garage decorations..

 

[lilredex]

Yes post some more pictures. To measure "toe in" we used a pipe with a sliding rod inside that was fixed with a thumb screw. About 1/8" greater in back (than in the front) of the tire meant you were good to go. Still do that today. Does that machine do more??

 

[Torque1st]

If I remember right that machine would measure toe-in or out just by driving over it. I think they used it for a form of 4-wheel alignment check also. It has been way too many years since I have seen one used.

 

[c39er]

I have another brand of this toe in tool that is new.

 

[sprint7]

They removed it from the shop about 25 yrs ago. It stretched our before the rack (we still use pits not lifts) and would measure the toe as you drove on. When you step on it the needle stills moves but I am not sure how accurate it still is. I still remember the sounds that it makes when you drive over it.

 

[fordcragar]

I have another brand of this toe in tool that is new.

So how do you like the Align-a-matic? Is it worth the $150?

 

[c39er]

So how do you like the Align-a-matic? Is it worth the $150?

$150.00? I bought this Align-A-Matic on ebay several years ago on ebay for less than $30.00 and have yet to use it! Maybe today I'll run over it.

 

[engineer2]

I've repaired Bear drive-over machines. Very simple operation. Most of the problems were rust and dirt in the drive-over part. I probably have a parts list somewhere - but no guarantee.

 

[sprint7]

that woud be wonderful if you could find it. I have also found a lot of old bear on the car balance machines/heads, etc. I'm going to post up some pictures in a few days.

 

[engineer2]

I looked wher I thought it should be, but couldn't find it. I have many boxes of Bear Automotive equipment info and it might be buried somewhere, if I even have it. When I worked there in the 80's the drive-over toe machines were historic curiosities. If you take it apart, you'll see how it works and you should be able to fix it up.

 

[rsanter]

clean it up and mount it to the wall of the shop
shows your history

bob