Alignment question
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alignment question
Any techs do their own alignment?(on a alignment rack of course) I'm wondering if I can adjust the rear camber and not affect the toe settings? Is each adjustment independent from the other. I'd like to play with settings at the track by taking a turn or two out at a time. Thanks
#3
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lol.. oh come on, don't be THAT guy . If there is a way to play with some settings during a trackday to see what feels better I'm all for it. I don't see the need to shell out $100 to make a minor adjustment if I can turn a few wrenches and not **** everything else up. Hence why I'm asking, if anyone here has actually turned the wrenches and made the adjustments while looking at the numbers. If it can't be accomplished then yes, i'll pay the money and let the pros handle it. Thanks.
#4
In order to get accurate measurements, you need a rig. No shop that I know of will let you do it yourself for insurance purposes. The tool used to adjust caster is expensive, as well.
#5
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is true...however camber is fairly easy measure and I'm not looking for a number. If I can make small adjustments to the rear camber without upsetting the toe or thrust Angle is all I need to know(if each adjuster is independent from the other). I can't remember what the adjusters look like and don't have my car handy
Trending Topics
#8
Teching In
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How would you adjust camber or toe at the tire on a solid axle vehicle? I could see how toe could be adjusted together with adjustable control arms...but without looking up what craziness is made for our rear suspensions, I can't fathom how camber would be adjustable.
#9
TECH Addict
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Where the Navy tells me to go
Posts: 2,398
Received 106 Likes
on
88 Posts
This is true...however camber is fairly easy measure and I'm not looking for a number. If I can make small adjustments to the rear camber without upsetting the toe or thrust Angle is all I need to know(if each adjuster is independent from the other). I can't remember what the adjusters look like and don't have my car handy
And yes, adjusting camber would mess with toe, too.
How would you adjust camber or toe at the tire on a solid axle vehicle? I could see how toe could be adjusted together with adjustable control arms...but without looking up what craziness is made for our rear suspensions, I can't fathom how camber would be adjustable.
#10
Teching In
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Haha, carry on...my bad...new guy will learn soon.
To answer the original post (without being vehicle-specific), any change in camber will always affect toe...changing toe does not necessarily affect camber, however. 18 years of professional automotive repair.
To answer the original post (without being vehicle-specific), any change in camber will always affect toe...changing toe does not necessarily affect camber, however. 18 years of professional automotive repair.
Last edited by Fiveliterbtr; 04-07-2013 at 03:37 PM.
#11
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The camber adjustment is not something that can be easily done at the track. The lower control arm bolts to the chassis/subframe in a slotted hole so you can adjust the control arm in or out to adjust camber. Having watched alignment guys fight with it, from what I've seen it takes some pretty good effort to get it to move, and then you have to tighten the bolt down while holding that position.
And yes, adjusting camber would mess with toe, too.
And yes, adjusting camber would mess with toe, too.
#13
How would you adjust camber or toe at the tire on a solid axle vehicle? I could see how toe could be adjusted together with adjustable control arms...but without looking up what craziness is made for our rear suspensions, I can't fathom how camber would be adjustable.
#14
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Orange county, ny
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah your camber will always dictate your toe thats why we have to set camber first before we can adjust toe.
From what the other guys said it sounds like it is an eccentric bolt unlike the vettes which i believe had the rods more like a front tie rod.
From what the other guys said it sounds like it is an eccentric bolt unlike the vettes which i believe had the rods more like a front tie rod.
#15
Yes. Start with Camber, then make your Toe adjustment. The two angles affect each other (sometimes drastically pending how far out of adjustment you are) . More so Camber to Toe then Toe to Camber, if that makes sense.
#16
Teching In
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#17
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (8)
I have not adjusted my own as it is easier to take it to a shop, and i just leave it set more track oriented, but they do make good camber/caster gauges that you can use yourself: (even better they make digital ones that are easier to read)
toe is easy enough to measure and adjust on your own.
I doubt you will be as precise as the equipment at a good shop (and for $90 the guy dialed in my car exactly to the numbers i wanted...) but I won't stop someone from picking up a skill.
If you want to give it a go, it is a relatively cheap investment (that you can always sell if you don't like the results)
Another plus side. I know for Auto-x we have a day or two a year of test-n-tune where it can be beneficial to play around with your alignment on site and see if you like the effects.
Specialty Products Company 91000 FasTrax Camber/Caster Gauge for Wheels from 13" to 18" : Amazon.com : Automotive
toe is easy enough to measure and adjust on your own.
I doubt you will be as precise as the equipment at a good shop (and for $90 the guy dialed in my car exactly to the numbers i wanted...) but I won't stop someone from picking up a skill.
If you want to give it a go, it is a relatively cheap investment (that you can always sell if you don't like the results)
Another plus side. I know for Auto-x we have a day or two a year of test-n-tune where it can be beneficial to play around with your alignment on site and see if you like the effects.
#18
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Preparing for upcoming track day had alignment done today used aggressive specs from faq as guidance. Dealership said tie rods were shot but after replacing came out well.
Front camber caster
left -1 6.1
Right -1 6.2
Toe .03
Rear
left -1.5
Right -1.5
Toe .11
Near stock ride height on kw v3 running 275/40/18 all corners
Front camber caster
left -1 6.1
Right -1 6.2
Toe .03
Rear
left -1.5
Right -1.5
Toe .11
Near stock ride height on kw v3 running 275/40/18 all corners
Last edited by garrettg; 04-13-2013 at 07:22 PM.
#19
TECH Addict
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Where the Navy tells me to go
Posts: 2,398
Received 106 Likes
on
88 Posts
Unless I'm reading that wrong, you've got toe in up front and toe out in the rear. Toe in up front isn't a problem, but toe out in the rear will make the car squirrely under braking and putting power down coming out of corners. At least, that's how it feels to me.
I, too, got mine aligned today; I'm hitting VIR on Mon/Tues. I'm at -2.2 camber all around, a bit of toe out up front and a bit of toe in in the rear. The camber and caster were basically already good, I just wanted the toe checked, and sure enough it was out of whack at both ends of the car.
I, too, got mine aligned today; I'm hitting VIR on Mon/Tues. I'm at -2.2 camber all around, a bit of toe out up front and a bit of toe in in the rear. The camber and caster were basically already good, I just wanted the toe checked, and sure enough it was out of whack at both ends of the car.
#20
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ya tech wrote that down incorrectly didn't get official sheet just comments on the invoice. I checked it quick with tow plates after your post and updated the original post.
Last edited by garrettg; 04-13-2013 at 07:37 PM.