DIY Alignment Kit

[Endokendal]

Anyone use a DIY alignment kit that they would recommend? Are they really an acceptable substitute for the professional job?

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[Norm Peterson]

Having patience, an understanding of what you're trying to measure (and what setup things could affect that - like tire pressures and floor levelness), and a willingness to double-check every measurement is at least as important as the tools you use. Maybe more important.

Even something as crude as this (and two strings set to be parallel on pairs of jackstands) can get you more than close enough for most purposes if you're willing to do the trig math.

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But this is easier and somewhat less fussy.

Norm

 

[Tractor Junk]

I've got a 3 point camber gauge and toe plates from Longacre Racing. I've found that aligning the front of this car is far easier than the rear. Depending on your goals, my suggestion is to have it professionally done at a race shop. ~$200 should get you a custom alignment and preload taken out of the sway bars.

If you don't have a perfectly level surface and a lot of patience, doing a performance alignment at home can be a nightmare.

 

[Dana Pants]

I use Tenhulzen toe/camber plates, some string for thrust angle, and a notepad to do the math. 100% satisfied.

I can’t emphasize enough that math is required to survive a rear alignment. You have to relate the on the ground measurements to the measurements while the suspension is hanging or the job will never end.

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