self made Wheel Alignment Tool

[ricwrench]

I use string, square tubing, 6' scale. Egyptian water level to get the Hoe sitting earth level first. 50 yrs spinning wrenches, never paid for an alignment yet. Old now, things get heavy!

 

[89Suburban]

I use string, square tubing, 6' scale. Egyptian water level to get the Hoe sitting earth level first. 50 yrs spinning wrenches, never paid for an alignment yet. Old now, things get heavy!

Neat trick with the water level!!! This is one hurdle I have been dealing with in my raggedy driveway. I take the truck to my work warehouse with the super flat floor to make the camber/castor readings.

 

[ricwrench]

Neat trick with the water level!!! This is one hurdle I have been dealing with in my raggedy driveway. I take the truck to my work warehouse with the super flat floor to make the camber/castor readings.

I installed level pads in my yard, big timesaver! I have a BF cnc mill. I can park on the table and indicate things really true. Overkill for alignment . Working on a painting program, movements will be programmed. Likely to be better than me at the job, . It's all math..... sorta

 

[nonickatall]

Well, today I was finally able to go to my wheel alignment after my axle work.

First I had to find out how it works with the GMT800. I had already discovered the necessary adjustment screws on the upper control arm, but didn't want to loosen them until now, because I wanted to measure the initial situation.

Today I measured caster and camber and found that they were not correct or outside of the tolerance range and I loosened the screws.

I then found out that the rear ones on both sides are so tight that they cannot be turned. I also found a strange piece of plastic in the setting plates. There was a big question mark at first because this plastic part dictated the setting, so to speak.

But youtube is your friend and that's how I found out that these are retainers that come from the production of the vehicle, i.e. the factory setting, so to speak.

This tells me that in the 200,000 km that my car has driven, the axle has not even been adjusted. Anyway, it was a big job to loosen the rear screws. Hammer, oil, heat and a lot of patience brought the desired result.

After that, with my wife turning the steering wheel, I was able to get the camber and caster to the correct values.

The toe will come tomorrow. I'm curious to see how the car drives.

I'll post pictures of my modified system tomorrow.

Here is just a picture of these retainers and the upper axle adjustment screws

 

[nonickatall]

At least the alignment of the axle worked.

I just drove a little lap with the engine stuttering but the steering seems very easy now. I no longer have tension when I turn the wheels all the way and the car runs nice and straight

Here a few pictures of my modified adjustment tool.

 

[nonickatall]

I modified the mounting of the whole thing again and now it works pretty well.

The Escalade now drives really great and I also adjusted the axle on my Chrysler LeBaron Convertible.

On the picture you can see the new Kingpin Gauge that I bought.

The cheap ebay stuff doesn't work that great either, but this is very good.

 

[89Suburban]

I modified the mounting of the whole thing again and now it works pretty well.

The Escalade now drives really great and I also adjusted the axle on my Chrysler LeBaron Convertible.

On the picture you can see the new Kingpin Gauge that I bought.

The cheap ebay stuff doesn't work that great either, but this is very good.

Good stuff man! I am using foundation hook bolts to hold mine to the rim. Just hook them in the holes and snug them down.

 

[nonickatall]

Good stuff man! I am using foundation hook bolts to hold mine to the rim. Just hook them in the holes and snug them down.

I see, you use the same principle.

I plan to alligne some different cars. That why I was looking for a solution for most every situation. I was also thinking about a solution like you choose. But that will not work on my LeBaron. (See pic of older version and different king pin gauge)

 

[89Suburban]

I see, you use the same principle.

I plan to alligne some different cars. That why I was looking for a solution for most every situation. I was also thinking about a solution like you choose. But that will not work on my LeBaron. (See pic of older version and different king pin gauge)

I like your adjustable tracked beam bar setup, that is real nice. Where do you get that from?

 

[nonickatall]

I like your adjustable tracked beam bar setup, that is real nice. Where do you get that from?

Sorry, even if i have this thread on watch, i didn't see your question...

The beam bars i bought at ebay. That is material for example for people who build individual fair stands or automation solutions.

If you search for: "alu profil nut 8" you should find it on ebay or google.