DIY wheel alignment (Stringless?)

[GeeEss]

Hi there. . .

I would like to be able to do my own wheel alignments with the least hassle possible (i.e. without setting up a level surface, parallel strings etc.

I was considering this Front End Toe-In & Camber Laser Aligner < http://www.trackace.co.uk/ > but AFAIK it's only good for front end alignment and I want to be able to do all 4 wheels. (Company literature said they were going to bring out a rear-wheel add-on unit last year but they never did).

Can anyone confirm that the Front alignment needs to be referenced off the rears; i.e. that I can't just set rear wheel toe-in with a toe-in bar & camber gauge & THEN use above equipment for front end?

Regards G

[Dan_k36]

What type of car do u wana do?
Older ones can't be set/adjusted p, u can see how far it's out but then it's stops there

[Daddio]

Looking at that link, it doesnt do camber, only toe?
The bitch is gonna be adjusting anything while the car is on the floor!
Personally, with half decent tyres costing upwards of $200 each, I'd spend the $50 for a proper 4 wheel alignment of camber, toe and caster

[MR22ZZ]

good luck getting a 'proper' wheel alignment for $50...

string line alignments can feel OK, but it's very hard to get the thrust alignment correct and you can end up setting up a car that crabs slightly.

[Daddio]

good luck getting a 'proper' wheel alignment for $50...

string line alignments can feel OK, but it's very hard to get the thrust alignment correct and you can end up setting up a car that crabs slightly.

What do you call a 'proper' wheel alignment? I had mine done at Bridgestone Tyre Center in Midland (W.A.) with a laser aligner on a hoist (had to take my own planks to get on the hoist as car is quite low). Toe and caster set to factory specs, camber set to factory spec front and rear -0.5 degrees over spec. Complete with before & after printout, all adjustments to within 0.05 degrees, and I watched the tech work. Seemed like pretty decent value to me, or am I missing something?

[MR22ZZ]

Try getting an alignment that is non standard and actually have it correct.

[Daddio]

Try getting an alignment that is non standard and actually have it correct.

Not sure I get what you mean? They place I went would have set it to whatever I asked (provided it was within the adjustment range. I had my JZA80 and MA70's done at same place) eg I asked for 0.5 degree extra camber on the rears. As for knowing its correct, other than trailering the car straight off the aligner to another aligner and having it checked & confirmed, how would one know? The car drove straight and true, tyre wear was normal, etc?

[maj]

$50 is cheap for a non-standard alignment, but I wouldn't say it's out of the question. Some tyre places actually have one or two decent guys there that are willing to listen to your needs and do their best to accommodate it. Usually the $50 is their "standard" cost for alignment with a set of new tyres, so they just throw that on as the alignment cost regardless of time spent.

There is a difference however to getting a wheel alignment vs getting a proper alignment that also measures chassis alignment and adjusts accordingly etc. Expect to pay around $200 or more for that.

I'm used to being charged $50 for either front or back alignment, or $80 for both. Might be different for me though since AWD. This is just a standard alignment though and focuses on front/rear tyre wear being even, since AWD's don't cope well with uneven wear.