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> DIY Strings Alignment Setup
yeahmag
post May 12 2011, 11:14 AM
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This was built using 80/20 hardware and a friend of mine on the mill:

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yeahmag
post May 15 2011, 10:51 AM
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That's where the indexed bars come in to play. Set them so they are *exactly* the same width and at worst you are starting with a parallelogram.

I did the alignment yesterday and started with a steering wheel that was ever-so-slightly off... Ended that way too. Damn.

Glad I did it though. 3 off the 4 wheels needed work (I had redone my rear bushings). I also verified my ride height was at least close to where I wanted it on all 4 corners.

I'm sure I'll get better as this was my first time. I need to find a more level spot too!
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SirAndy
post May 15 2011, 12:58 PM
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QUOTE(yeahmag @ May 15 2011, 09:51 AM) *
I did the alignment yesterday and started with a steering wheel that was ever-so-slightly off... Ended that way too. Damn.

Before you start, brake lose the tie-rods and then lock the steering wheel into place. I use two wooden sticks cut to the same length.
That will center the steering wheel perfectly before you begin.

That way, you can use the tie-rods to adjust out whatever slight discrepancy you had ...

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mrbubblehead
post May 15 2011, 03:14 PM
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QUOTE(SirAndy @ May 15 2011, 11:58 AM) *

QUOTE(yeahmag @ May 15 2011, 09:51 AM) *
I did the alignment yesterday and started with a steering wheel that was ever-so-slightly off... Ended that way too. Damn.

Before you start, brake lose the tie-rods and then lock the steering wheel into place. I use two wooden sticks cut to the same length.
That will center the steering wheel perfectly before you begin.

That way, you can use the tie-rods to adjust out whatever slight discrepancy you had ...

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couldnt you just pop the steering wheel off and then put it on straight?

does the steering rack sit in the center of the car?

then if you start off with the outer tie rod end at equal distances apart from the rack, your lock to lock wheel movement will be the same. then just drive the car in a straight line and re-index the steering wheel.

i ask this because i just finished my rear suspension and bushings. i will be doing the front end next weekend. tie rod ends, elephant bushings, torsion bars and a sway bar. i will be doing my alignment from scratch.
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SirAndy
post May 15 2011, 07:44 PM
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QUOTE(mrbubblehead @ May 15 2011, 02:14 PM) *
couldnt you just pop the steering wheel off and then put it on straight?

That'll get you close, but the splines on the shaft are pretty coarse, so rotating the steering wheel just one spline will result in a few degrees of rotation.

With the wheels nice and straight, there might not be a perfectly lined up spline for the steering wheel.

If you lock in the steering wheel perfectly straight first and then adjust the tie rods, you might end up with one tie rod 1mm longer than the other, but you'll never notice the difference.

But you sure notice if your steering wheel isn't perfectly straight ...
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Posts in this topic
yeahmag   DIY Strings Alignment Setup   May 12 2011, 11:14 AM
yeahmag   The sliders at the end are indexed every 5 mm   May 12 2011, 11:14 AM
yeahmag   I'm using string here just because it was hand...   May 12 2011, 11:15 AM
yeahmag   The bars are *exactly* the same length and indexed...   May 12 2011, 11:17 AM
Krank   The bars are *exactly* the same length and indexe...   May 12 2011, 11:27 PM
SirAndy   Wheel track must be 100% the same between front an...   May 13 2011, 12:05 AM
Richard Casto   Wheel track must be 100% the same between front a...   May 13 2011, 07:08 AM
PeeGreen 914   :beer2: Nice, This is very similar to what you wou...   May 12 2011, 11:33 AM
yeahmag   I know! That part is still killing me...   May 12 2011, 11:38 AM
URY914   Leave them on and use them for curb feelers. :D   May 12 2011, 12:10 PM
Andyrew   String alignment works great for toe in/out, but I...   May 12 2011, 03:08 PM
SirAndy   I use 2 4x4's and a tape measure and a buddy.....   May 12 2011, 10:55 PM
Andyrew   I use 2 4x4's and a tape measure and a buddy....   May 13 2011, 12:58 AM
Dave_Darling   I just dont see how a string method will do the c...   May 13 2011, 10:42 PM
mrbubblehead   I just dont see how a string method will do the ...   May 14 2011, 07:54 AM
SirAndy   As long as you get the strings referenced to the a...   May 14 2011, 01:24 PM
mrbubblehead   [quote name='mrbubblehead' post='1477507' date='M...   May 14 2011, 08:34 PM
SirAndy   so the front track width is the same as the rear t...   May 14 2011, 08:39 PM
mrbubblehead   so the front track width is the same as the rear ...   May 14 2011, 08:46 PM
fasthonda   so the front track width is the same as the rear ...   May 15 2011, 07:14 AM
SirAndy   You need to take the track width into consideratio...   May 15 2011, 12:55 PM
wobbletop   You need to take the track width into considerati...   May 16 2011, 10:26 PM
Bartlett 914   You need to take the track width into considerat...   May 17 2011, 06:02 AM
whatabout1   For camber just get on flat floor (doesn't nee...   May 12 2011, 03:35 PM
Eric_Shea   How much to do a second one?   May 12 2011, 10:34 PM
yeahmag   I would guess at least $200 in parts - probab...   May 13 2011, 12:05 AM
yeahmag   This system does replace jack stands - and yes tha...   May 13 2011, 12:03 AM
914 shifter   This system does replace jack stands - and yes th...   May 15 2011, 06:11 AM
BK911   I use a setup very similar, but with electrical co...   May 14 2011, 09:18 AM
sww914   I've done hundreds of alignments with computer...   May 14 2011, 10:56 AM
zonedoubt   ...and the distance between string attachment poin...   May 14 2011, 02:40 PM
sixnotfour   ray scruggs wrote this booklet a million years ago...   May 14 2011, 04:35 PM
John   Do what you will, but I will stick with my machine...   May 14 2011, 08:41 PM
sww914   No, it might be 6 1/2" in the front to the st...   May 14 2011, 09:15 PM
mrbubblehead   No, it might be 6 1/2" in the front to the s...   May 14 2011, 09:41 PM
SirAndy   No, it might be 6 1/2" in the front to the st...   May 15 2011, 12:33 AM
sww914   Not if you measure the distance between the string...   May 15 2011, 09:14 AM
yeahmag   That's where the indexed bars come in to play....   May 15 2011, 10:51 AM
SirAndy   I did the alignment yesterday and started with a s...   May 15 2011, 12:58 PM
mrbubblehead   I did the alignment yesterday and started with a ...   May 15 2011, 03:14 PM
SirAndy   couldnt you just pop the steering wheel off and th...   May 15 2011, 07:44 PM
tradisrad   how to string align from smart racing. I am a lit...   May 17 2011, 09:19 AM
SirAndy   Is he correct with his terminology? Yes, he is cor...   May 17 2011, 12:05 PM
tradisrad   Is he correct with his terminology? Yes, he is co...   May 17 2011, 01:14 PM
enderw88   how to string align from smart racing. I am a li...   May 17 2011, 03:23 PM
yeahmag   And here are some videos from yesterday's trip...   May 17 2011, 10:22 AM
yeahmag   Remember it's the distance from the *outside* ...   May 17 2011, 12:09 PM
Rand   Remember it's the distance from the *outside*...   May 17 2011, 01:39 PM
karnak   Good info here. i have done a string alignment and...   Jun 15 2011, 08:37 PM
yeahmag   1/16" to in in the rear. 1/8" or more to...   Jun 15 2011, 08:43 PM
mrbubblehead   this is the website i used to string align my car ...   Jun 15 2011, 08:44 PM
dion9146   this is the website i used to string align my car...   Jul 22 2011, 02:12 PM


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