Chris Birdsong posted this fantastic video on DIY front end alignments for Mopars...best I have seen
Tech tip: How to align ur own suspension at home
- Thread starter Mr onetwo
- Start date
I am so impressed I bought the tools and will try this out. 
Longacre Racing Products 52-78260 Longacre Caster Camber Gauges | Summit Racing Longacre Racing Products 52-79501 Longacre Toe-In Plates | Summit Racing
Longacre Racing Products 52-78260 Longacre Caster Camber Gauges | Summit Racing Longacre Racing Products 52-79501 Longacre Toe-In Plates | Summit Racing
Close but there are a few angles that this set doesn't measure.
Please elaborate Mike. I spent a couple of hours contacting shops in my area and not one wanted to touch my car.The nearest shop that sounded competent is over 2 hours away, so trying this out makes sense to me.Other than caster,camber and toe what else is critical to a 53 year old cruiser like mine?
Ripinator
Old Man with a Hat
3175375
Senior Member
I have a gauge similar, if not tthe the same as that. You can get camber and castor with it. Toe is a bit more challenging. I used it on my 65 Mustang.
I would get two long pieces of angle iron, some bolts and copper 1/8” welding rod, to make the pieces to measure toe 1/2 up the front and rear of the tires.
I did this back in ‘78 with a couple of sheet metal brackets that used the upper and lower ball joint zerk fittings for caster and another one for camber, along with a torpedo level.
This was done on all 4 corners of a 66 Corvair 4 speed that I learned to slalom race in.
I believe that caster wasn’t measured for the rear axles.
It takes time to do this, but sometimes time is what we have more of.
I would get two long pieces of angle iron, some bolts and copper 1/8” welding rod, to make the pieces to measure toe 1/2 up the front and rear of the tires.
I did this back in ‘78 with a couple of sheet metal brackets that used the upper and lower ball joint zerk fittings for caster and another one for camber, along with a torpedo level.
This was done on all 4 corners of a 66 Corvair 4 speed that I learned to slalom race in.
I believe that caster wasn’t measured for the rear axles.
It takes time to do this, but sometimes time is what we have more of.
How are you going to measure thrust angle? How about simple toe adjustment? String or tape measure? from what points? Just asking.
3175375
Senior Member
Thrust angle would be a challenge, but maybe one could do it with the angle iron pieces that I described for front end toe.
I measured front end toe as described in my reply above. The points that were used are one of the tread grooves on both sides of the tire, out of convenience, 1/2 way up the tire.
Agreed. Toe should be measured at the center of the tire and not where it is convenient to measure.
Following!
volksworld
Active Member
Another method...4 Jack stands and strings...strings parallel, measured off rockers and rear tires...at wheel centerline...incredibly tedious to get it all set up right but it works
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rd92west
plan C
I use bare rims to measure toe in. Ya there is the possibility of a rim being bent, but trying to measure off tire tread is sketchy.
I've centered steering wheels and checked toe after. Seems to work for me
I've centered steering wheels and checked toe after. Seems to work for me
I bought the QuickTrick alignment kit about 5 years ago. I have used it a few times. They are on gen4 now and around $350. I think mine is gen 1 or 2, and maybe $250 at the time. I did buy an additional digital angle gauge off Amazon so I wouldn’t have to change from side to side.
QuickTrick4th Gen Car Alignment Systems DIY | Online Order Now!
QuickTrick4th Gen Car Alignment Systems DIY | Online Order Now!
I think this thread goes through the process. A the kit I bought.
‘68 Polara Alignment by the book
‘68 Polara Alignment by the book
I'm going to try it just like in the video...string and jack stands, then confirmed with the plates. He does say that you may have to tweek it a bit after you drive it.If I wasn't retired I would not have time to do this probably.
Back in the day I don't remember tire shops pushing 4 wheel alignments at all so thrust angle was not checked or talked about to my knowledge.I used to take care of the maintenance for a small fleet of about 20 trucks and vans. Never discussed and if you rotate tires every other oil change how would you even know there was a problem?
That's exactly why I don't rotate tires.
Is this a racing thing or everyday use? Never heard on that.
3175375
Senior Member
The 4 wheel alignment is important for vehicles with independent suspension. Not so much for vehicles with a solid rear axle.
I have been doing my own and clients alignments for years with my Snap on/ Blue point gauges, turn plates and string. Hardest part is toe on your own and power steering. Shops just want to set toe and go, the operators really don't know much else and if they will take a classic, it is called custom work and you are paying $$. Then on they way home you curse at the shitty expensive off center steering wheel and pull. I like to use the trailer wheels, as the gauges will not mount with the Magnum 500 wheels or any wheel that covers the hub.
Car has to be at right height, so I add equal to turn plate thickness block of wood under rear tires. This is for correct caster reading. Set up can be tedious , much easier with a helper to move string in and out, but some help can be worse than none.
Also with Birdsong's method of turn tire full lock to lock is not how I was taught to read caster. I turn the wheel 30 deg front in zero gauge, center wheel and take reading. I guess if you don't have a degreed turn plate going to lock keeps you consistent.
Car has to be at right height, so I add equal to turn plate thickness block of wood under rear tires. This is for correct caster reading. Set up can be tedious , much easier with a helper to move string in and out, but some help can be worse than none.
Also with Birdsong's method of turn tire full lock to lock is not how I was taught to read caster. I turn the wheel 30 deg front in zero gauge, center wheel and take reading. I guess if you don't have a degreed turn plate going to lock keeps you consistent.
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