I kid you not, a buddy of mine saw two Russians using sledgehammers to beat the tail straight on a MiG. Jumped in and FLEW the son of a bitch! Crazy bastards.
I'm a master ASE tech. , and have done many alignments at GM, but remember in school the instructor using a clamp on rim tool for camber, and you keep it their, and turn the steering from left to right, and the bubble will show you caster too. Don't know if they make those, but that would be cool for the DIYer
0:43 engine off- and turning the wheels will cause your power steering fuild to over flow from reservoir. turn with engine on and open ur garage door.
Thanks so much for all of your effort to make these videos--this set is one of the best. May I call it the "shade tree" or "redneck" method? No offense intended!
I did my own half assed alignment on a 89 Dodge mini van, I just used a level and leveled the chassie and then loosened the bolts on both struts and leveled the rim up and down (camber + or -) and tightened the struts back, I took it for a drive and it drove straight and no longer pulled to either side although it might have needed a little toe in or out adjustment because the steering wheel didn't look straight but oh well I was happy it actually worked, lol.
yeah.....i really appreciate the time it took and effort to make this video
what i dont get is why anyone would go through all this instead of paying $70 to the local shop to use laser guided equipment to do it in less than an hour, guarantee the results for at least three months, and this only needs to be done once every few years unless you cant drive
@jamesnmandy alot of the people doing their own alignments like this are either tracking the car on weekends and/or use camber kits, etc. for a more aggresive alignment. if you are changing your alignment 2+ times a month this is a great DIY to help avoid 2+ trips to an alignment shop.
Awesome video !! I would have never thought of the water bucket and tube. I think I will use that method whenever I encounter the opportunity. Anyone can use a laser level, lots can use a transit, but this is like McGyver !
I've tried to explain how I do alignments with string and jack stands to friends. They sometimes look at me like I'm crazy. This is a great explanation! Well done!
This method did not account for a wheel with run-out. Without run-out compensation none of these measurements are going to be accurate. This method doesn't measure Caster. SAI or thrust line. Without these readings your car may not drive properly or still have a crooked steering wheel. Steering systems are critical safety components and really shouldn't be repaired by the untrained.
Watched these vids and I was sick of alignment places stuffing up my car (adjustable arms through out my skyline) Got it pretty good at home for free now, cheers.
Thanks for the video, Robbie. I had to replace an upper ball joint and even though I marked where it was set it still pulls a bit. Now I can check it. As for caster, I suppose if camber and toe are correct and it still pulls I could adjust caster to straighten it out without causing abnormal tire wear. After checking tire pressure and power steering, of course. Can't wait to try this. Thanks.
My opinion as a shop owner and technician.. this is great information especially for the DIY'ers. Sure is doesn't show Steering Angle Inclination or Thrust Angle.. but unless the vehicle has been in a wreck probably 80-90% of the vehicles that come come through my shop only need a toe adjustment. The other 10-20% that do need camber and caster adjustments are much older vehicles or the ride height has been modified.
The only things I would suggest is be sure not to move the the water bucket when take you measurement. not that you moved it in the video but someone might move theirs before all the measurements are done. I also realize that you are trying to show how to doe this with common household items. but instead of salt i'd use glass bead blasting media. it's almost perfectly round. you can get it from Eastwood, harborfreight, ebay or your local machine shop my be willing give you a few ounces.
@razzmataz300 I was thinking the exact same thing! Do they do that in alignment shops? I've also heard of some places that will put weights in the driver's seat to simulate average driving weight distribution. Seems like a good idea, but I'm not sure how much difference a few hundred pounds would make...
Theriomalstrom:Do what?? jounce the vehicle up and down? they should! weight sim si inportand on smaller cars.. or if you are a well sized person.. we a lady send her husband to my shop for an allignment years ago.. it alligned fine she call back and said it was pulling, her husdand brought it back, it check out fine. she called and complained again. i asked her to bring it by so i could go for a ride with her and see if she knew what pulling ment>>>
when she showed up she was about 350 lbs!! so yea her car pulled to the left all the time. we re-aligned it with her in the car and she was happy, said her car had pulled since the day she bougt it.. She even came back a few days later to thank the tech that worked on it with some donuts.. we tease him all the time.. LOL!!
Thanks a lot for making these videos, i am going to try this. I would like to do my own alignments and adjust my suspension based on how i like it, and know that it is correct.
Great Information. Aviation wheel alignments have been done this way for decades with the toe being most important.Using two greased steel plates to allow for movement.Your use of the water level although not new to me, I still learned somethings from it. I would suggest plastic zip ties to connect your metal edge to your level and also look into the digital smart level it will convert your measurements to degrees and is very accurate but expensive.Great video I liked the salt for clean up.
or learn it once and know how to do the process in 15 minutes and you can save that 50$ 30 times over your entire life. or better yet. you can charge to align other peoples cars.
LOL!! I just posted the same video, with the same car, with even the same blue jack!! I don't bother with making the car exactly level, but i do use a more accurate caliper rather than tape measure. Also check out how I "level" the steering wheel. Great job and way more thorough than my quick version..
I would just like to mention, if you have a old car like mine 1998 Daihatsu Charade, old and worn suspension parts should be replaced before trying to setup your wheel alignment.
I kid you not, a buddy of mine saw two Russians using sledgehammers to beat the tail straight on a MiG. Jumped in and FLEW the son of a bitch! Crazy bastards.
94SexyStang 3 weeks ago
Great video! Thanks very much.
Br8c2m9n 1 month ago
Great info. Many Thanks - Just doing this on my Porsche.
splitscreenjc 7 months ago
Good shit brother. As someone already said, this is what makes Youtube and the internet great.
normythebear 8 months ago 2
I can use a alignment machine for free at school, but forget about that I'm doing my alignment this weekend your way!!
JCCTAPIA 9 months ago
I'm a master ASE tech. , and have done many alignments at GM, but remember in school the instructor using a clamp on rim tool for camber, and you keep it their, and turn the steering from left to right, and the bubble will show you caster too. Don't know if they make those, but that would be cool for the DIYer
Coolride17 10 months ago
@Coolride17 Ammco tool manufacturing is the one I have..that and a toe stick from speedwaymotors and home alignment is easy
ted850760 6 months ago
As i would naturally say it.
"good shit"
Thanks for teaching me somethibg ive been interested in doing.
wASSpuMAS 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Good advice for the PEEPS!
Much respect from Brooklyn.
SalernoAutoRepair 10 months ago
Good advice for the PEEPS!
Much respect from Brooklyn.
SalernoAutoRepair 10 months ago
Good advice for the PEEPS!
Much respect from Brooklyn.
SalernoAutoRepair 10 months ago
0:43 engine off- and turning the wheels will cause your power steering fuild to over flow from reservoir. turn with engine on and open ur garage door.
crrazyy 10 months ago
Thanks so much for all of your effort to make these videos--this set is one of the best. May I call it the "shade tree" or "redneck" method? No offense intended!
boogeyman36 11 months ago
Fantastic Videos. I'm in Europe so I'll use millimeters. Going out now to start setting up my Track Car! Thanks.
liamfugs 1 year ago
Great video! Make more.
milackk7 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I did my own half assed alignment on a 89 Dodge mini van, I just used a level and leveled the chassie and then loosened the bolts on both struts and leveled the rim up and down (camber + or -) and tightened the struts back, I took it for a drive and it drove straight and no longer pulled to either side although it might have needed a little toe in or out adjustment because the steering wheel didn't look straight but oh well I was happy it actually worked, lol.
EagleTalons1 1 year ago
Comment removed
EagleTalons1 1 year ago
yeah.....i really appreciate the time it took and effort to make this video
what i dont get is why anyone would go through all this instead of paying $70 to the local shop to use laser guided equipment to do it in less than an hour, guarantee the results for at least three months, and this only needs to be done once every few years unless you cant drive
jamesnmandy 1 year ago
@jamesnmandy alot of the people doing their own alignments like this are either tracking the car on weekends and/or use camber kits, etc. for a more aggresive alignment. if you are changing your alignment 2+ times a month this is a great DIY to help avoid 2+ trips to an alignment shop.
Grozmok 11 months ago
Awesome video !! I would have never thought of the water bucket and tube. I think I will use that method whenever I encounter the opportunity. Anyone can use a laser level, lots can use a transit, but this is like McGyver !
Zetune79 1 year ago
@Zetune79 you can re-level mobile homes the same way, fyi
HOUSTONismyHOME 1 year ago
Great set of videos.
If you've rebuilt your suspension, or restored your car, or whatever, this method is perfectly adequate to safely get you to the alignment shop.
Lugnut64052 1 year ago
Great series of videos!
loocee95 1 year ago
Power to the people. It's the dawning of a new age.
b1heqh54 1 year ago
G R E A T . J O B !
I've tried to explain how I do alignments with string and jack stands to friends. They sometimes look at me like I'm crazy. This is a great explanation! Well done!
fasteddie44 1 year ago
This method did not account for a wheel with run-out. Without run-out compensation none of these measurements are going to be accurate. This method doesn't measure Caster. SAI or thrust line. Without these readings your car may not drive properly or still have a crooked steering wheel. Steering systems are critical safety components and really shouldn't be repaired by the untrained.
What is your time worth?
Bertsblurts 1 year ago
Watched these vids and I was sick of alignment places stuffing up my car (adjustable arms through out my skyline) Got it pretty good at home for free now, cheers.
SR910 1 year ago
HUNTER HAWK EYE 20.000$
hosusto 2 years ago
Awesome!
wintersthrall 2 years ago
smart man
Nigelk388 2 years ago
Thanks for the video, Robbie. I had to replace an upper ball joint and even though I marked where it was set it still pulls a bit. Now I can check it. As for caster, I suppose if camber and toe are correct and it still pulls I could adjust caster to straighten it out without causing abnormal tire wear. After checking tire pressure and power steering, of course. Can't wait to try this. Thanks.
zaac 2 years ago 2
My opinion as a shop owner and technician.. this is great information especially for the DIY'ers. Sure is doesn't show Steering Angle Inclination or Thrust Angle.. but unless the vehicle has been in a wreck probably 80-90% of the vehicles that come come through my shop only need a toe adjustment. The other 10-20% that do need camber and caster adjustments are much older vehicles or the ride height has been modified.
razzmataz300 2 years ago 12
The only things I would suggest is be sure not to move the the water bucket when take you measurement. not that you moved it in the video but someone might move theirs before all the measurements are done. I also realize that you are trying to show how to doe this with common household items. but instead of salt i'd use glass bead blasting media. it's almost perfectly round. you can get it from Eastwood, harborfreight, ebay or your local machine shop my be willing give you a few ounces.
razzmataz300 2 years ago 2
Also be sure and jounce the suspension up and down before taking any measurements and after all adjustment are made..
HTH!!
razzmataz300 2 years ago
@razzmataz300 I was thinking the exact same thing! Do they do that in alignment shops? I've also heard of some places that will put weights in the driver's seat to simulate average driving weight distribution. Seems like a good idea, but I'm not sure how much difference a few hundred pounds would make...
Theriomalstrom 2 years ago
Comment removed
razzmataz300 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Theriomalstrom:Do what?? jounce the vehicle up and down? they should! weight sim si inportand on smaller cars.. or if you are a well sized person.. we a lady send her husband to my shop for an allignment years ago.. it alligned fine she call back and said it was pulling, her husdand brought it back, it check out fine. she called and complained again. i asked her to bring it by so i could go for a ride with her and see if she knew what pulling ment>>>
razzmataz300 2 years ago
when she showed up she was about 350 lbs!! so yea her car pulled to the left all the time. we re-aligned it with her in the car and she was happy, said her car had pulled since the day she bougt it.. She even came back a few days later to thank the tech that worked on it with some donuts.. we tease him all the time.. LOL!!
razzmataz300 2 years ago
racetrack DB -dot- com is 404. Did you change the name?
DrMotorDude 2 years ago
Nice videos, pity the website has disappeared.
ijwilson 2 years ago
Thanks a lot for making these videos, i am going to try this. I would like to do my own alignments and adjust my suspension based on how i like it, and know that it is correct.
TTJWT300ZX 2 years ago
Great Information. Aviation wheel alignments have been done this way for decades with the toe being most important.Using two greased steel plates to allow for movement.Your use of the water level although not new to me, I still learned somethings from it. I would suggest plastic zip ties to connect your metal edge to your level and also look into the digital smart level it will convert your measurements to degrees and is very accurate but expensive.Great video I liked the salt for clean up.
tallwill38 2 years ago
Excellent Video~!!!!!!
This is what Youtube is all about!
fdzwes 2 years ago 19
5 STARS
My car is too low according to the last 3 shops I've been to, so I may have to do this myself out of pure necessity! Thanks!
firelizard2 2 years ago
what about caster? and SAI and IA? just save your self the trouble and pay the 50 bucks
hatch22a 2 years ago
or learn it once and know how to do the process in 15 minutes and you can save that 50$ 30 times over your entire life. or better yet. you can charge to align other peoples cars.
seems worth learning to me.
M4aster 2 years ago
LOL!! I just posted the same video, with the same car, with even the same blue jack!! I don't bother with making the car exactly level, but i do use a more accurate caliper rather than tape measure. Also check out how I "level" the steering wheel. Great job and way more thorough than my quick version..
Azulevo 2 years ago
I would just like to mention, if you have a old car like mine 1998 Daihatsu Charade, old and worn suspension parts should be replaced before trying to setup your wheel alignment.
Leon112006 2 years ago
Thanks a lot for posting this info.:-)
Leon112006 2 years ago
Thank You On The Awsome Video~!
themans2sexy4u 3 years ago
I have been searching all day on utube for just this video. Thanks for the video. I will now do my own alignment. I don't trust alignment shops.
brimtv 3 years ago
lol y not?
drewce123 3 years ago