DIY wheel alignment story

[Terry M.]

The November 2004 issue of Hot Rod Magazine has a comprehensive story on methods of DIY wheel alignment. If suspension work is on your agenda for the winter, it might be worth a look.

[Donald T.]

Re: DIY wheel alignment story

There is also some good info at corvettefaq.com on DIY alignments. I do my own alignments, and it is really not all that difficult. Regardless of the string and level methods, I think it is worthwile to invest in a toe gauge and a camber/castor gauge. They are not all that expensive and will pay for themselves after a couple of alignments. The other problem I have run into is getting an alignment shop to adjust the rear toe correctly on a C2. They always want to drill a hole in the frame and use the later open style shims, that is if they are even willing to do the work at all. Some time ago I had an alignment shop take one look at the C2 rear shim set up, and said he wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. After that, I just started doing it myself.

[Dick W.]

Re: DIY wheel alignment story

As Terry says, the article in Hot Rod is very informative. I have used some of the same techniques (with variations) for over 25 years. If you take your time they are very accurate.

[Duke W.]

Re: DIY wheel alignment story

Haven't read the article, but I will next trip to the library.

I've been doing all my own aligmment for over 25 years with an inclinometer and tape measure. Read about the technique in an old Herb Adams catalog, and I've realigned all my cars to specs that either enhance handling, stability, or both.

I got tired of paying top dollar to alignment shops to do it their way, not MY WAY, and it opened up a low cost avenue for experimenting with chassis tuning.

Like Dick said, it can be time consuming, but the rewards can be substantial by allowing you to dial in handling to your pleasure, just like altering an engine's spark advance map and fuel curves can optimize performance and efficiency across the entire operating range.

Duke

[`Michael Southard]

Re: DIY wheel alignment story

About 20 years ago when I was "fresh" at this kinda stuff and could actually kneel down "and get back up", I rebiult the rear susp of my mid-year and wondered what to do about the alignment.

I used a straight edge, chalk line, tape measure and tried to get it close enough to get to my college partner who had his own shop. We set it up on his alignment rack and did not have to change a thing.

Tedious measurements taken from the wheel (not the tire), I think made the difference.
Mike S.