anyone know alot about alignments??

[blackturbohatch46]

does anyone do thier own alignment, like with the plates? i am tired of paying so much for an alignment, but i need to know what to get and how to do it. i dont really have a garage or much space to keep stuff. im in the marines so i cant just buy a house, i have to stay in the barracks until i get married. so my choices to work on my car are the parking lot, or a hobby shop that we have on base, but the hours its open are during the times that i sleep (im night crew). anyone have any suggestions? i heard that the camber/caster plate they sell on many autocross or road race sites work well, but i dont know how involved they are.

[Sponsor]

[qbert442]

Nobody can do their own alignment. You need a machine worth around 20 000$ to do that. You can put on your parts yourself (all at once) and go directly after that to a certified garage that will do that for you. That way you can save up some money at least.

[mighty_mouse]

I've gotten it close using a tape measure, a second set of hands but it takes alot of time an if very aggravating. And it won't be good enough to drive on for long. Best thing is to pay to have it done.

Mouse

[illinipo]

Well I think you can get camber tools at harbor freight and/or summit racing that does one wheel at a time... but its prolly a big pita and I wouldnt trust it 100%.

If you only get front plates, then only get a front alignment. that should save you some green.

[emsvitil]

Originally Posted by qbert442

Nobody can do their own alignment. You need a machine worth around 20 000$ to do that.

BS.......

It may not be as accurate (but accurancy depends on who does it too). But you can get pretty good results by yourself.

Toe-in is easiest (and should be done last)

You need level ground, and a caster/camber gauge you put on the wheel. (something like this http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/long17.htm look around you can probably get it cheap somewhere)

Plates aren't really necessary, but probably help with tire scrub.

[illinipo]

^ bingo, exactly what I was referring to. but you better be damn sure youre on LEVEL ground.

Keep in mind that a magnet will not stick to an aluminum alloy wheel...

[SkaAddict]

How much do you pay for an alignment...? The last time I took my car to Goodyear they charged me $85 and I could bring it back anytime within one year after it was done and they'd re-align it for free.

[blackturbohatch46]

yea about 80-90. i have shops tell me that they cant do it cause its lowered, and other bs, like i have to explain to them what a camber kit is and how to adjust it. oh well i guess ill just take it in.

[mighty_mouse]

$90????!!!!! thats insane! mines lowered and is still the standard pricing, about $50-$60.

Mouse

[Mr.Bergner]

Originally Posted by blackturbohatch46

yea about 80-90. i have shops tell me that they cant do it cause its lowered, and other bs, like i have to explain to them what a camber kit is and how to adjust it. oh well i guess ill just take it in.

If they don't know what a camber kit is and also won't do it because it's lowered, I would strongly suggest not going to them. The whole point is that it has to be aligned after it's been lowered........