home alignment- thrust angle

[thornclaw]

looking to try a hone alignment using an angle finder and toe plates. im not sure how to get the thrust angle right this way. any tips? the string/pvc pipe method would work but jacking the car up, adjusting, putting it back down and setting the strings back up over and over looks like it would take all day.

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[Scootsmcgreggor]

Caliper garage 3d printed string alignment kit, 2x4 cribs, and vinyl floor tiles. I'm able to get great results (better than my local shop) and I actually enjoy the work. Still getting faster each time I do it, takes about 2hrs for camber and toe front and back.

 

[Dana Pants]

Use math, some string, and the car only goes off the ground once.

 

[TeeLew]

Use math, some string, and the car only goes off the ground once.

All that doing it in one shot means is that your tolerances aren't tight enough.

 

[Dana Pants]

All that doing it in one shot means is that your tolerances aren't tight enough.

Wheel run out, thermal expansion, and rubber bushings are sufficient to limit the tolerances to ~1/16” for toe.

 

[TeeLew]

The Prosecution rests, Your Honor.

 

[galaxy]

Been doing an inordinate amount of homework to do mine myself as well. It is my understanding that if rear toe is spot on match side to side, that will give you a 0 thrust angle.

 

[thornclaw]

Been doing an inordinate amount of homework to do mine myself as well. It is my understanding that if rear toe is spot on match side to side, that will give you a 0 thrust angle.

i believe that is correct.
however, with toe plates i think all you can get is total toe and not toe specifically for each side., hence you wont know the thrust angle

 

[galaxy]

i believe that is correct.
however, with toe plates i think all you can get is total toe and not toe specifically for each side., hence you wont know the thrust angle

Also correct. Thus do as @Scootsmcgreggor suggested and tackle the strings. Very affordable and uber accurate if you take your time and attention to detail.

 

[thornclaw]

i figured out a stringless method to do make sure thrust angle is zero:

a) cut a 24 in level to the exact width of your wheel at centerpoint

b) glue a laser level to it

c) bungee cord it to the wheel

d) set up a ruler at hub height

e) turn on laser

measure where the laser scribes the ruler. if it is the same on both sides, thrust angle is zero. see pics.

 

[TeeLew]

Scroll through the Daytona 24 thread. Just use string.

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