here

and its only 10 bucks

That thing is a POS and doesn't work very well on our cars. I got one.

well i tried

They've also got a new camber guage I saw in the last mailing. It's a bubble guage graduated in fractional degrees. You'd have to build a wheel mount, but that would be a piece of cake. I plan on getting one.

-Ben M.

QUOTE (Dr Evil @ Feb 16 2005, 12:33 AM)

That thing is a POS and doesn't work very well on our cars. I got one.

I'd love to have a device for doing my own adjustments.

Is toe alignment just too complex of an issue for a simple tool like this to accomplish?

What is it that fails to deliver the goods with this product?

First, there is a problem getting the tool to stay at the same height on both sides of the car.
Second, it flexes like a mofo in the middle making the measurements no better thatn eyeballing it.

This tool is no better than using a tape measure, no BS. You can only get sort of close, and will still need a professional allignment so what is the point.
I do like the camber tool, but it would be easy to mess up as it has no axial index on it and one would have to improvise (it can be done).

If you would like to find a cheap way to do a toe allignment, check out this post by John Rogers:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/h...home_toe_in.htm

Scott, its good to post things. I'm not trying to pee on your idea, just voicing my experience. I would gladly sell the unit that I have (and was given for free).

I tried one and couldn't use it on any of our cars.
It sounded cool but personally, I'd rather have had 2 beers than this tool.

It has to measure the distance between the tires along front outer edge
and rear outer edge.
There is an aluminum channel that connect the ends and there
is a fold out "foot" that props up the channel to raise up the ends
so that you are measuring the distances near the center line axis
of the tire.
The problem that I ran into was that not only does this center connecting
channel flex but there simply isn't enough ground clearance to lift
the channel up. The foot is 7-8 inches tall when fully opened.
It appears to have 2 settins. I'm assuming for 14 or 16 inch wheels.

I think it was a good concept but I don't think it really works because
the way the tool works (assuming it even fits under your vehicle)
there are too many ways to insert error into the measurements
where you are trying to measure 1/16ths or 1/32ths of an inch.

Just my opinion.

---- bill

QUOTE

Is toe alignment just too complex of an issue for a simple tool like this to accomplish?

that tool works on big sedans and trucks etc. our cars are to low for this tool

A very useful tool for alignment are toe-plates

we fine tune the adjustment on some pretty serious race cars with these

you can buy them for like $50, or make your own

You can measure the toe-in very easily by running a set of strings or thread along the sides of the car, similar to the smart strings idea from smart racing products. You can do it cheap by using 4 heavy objects like jack stands to string the thread from. Get the string hieght centered on the wheels (i use the middle of the center caps). The trick is to make sure the strings are straight, since the front and rear track (width) of the 914 are different. The rear is 40mm wider than the front, so in order for the strings to be straight they would have to be 20mm further away on the front wheel, than in the rear. Do you follow me?
Then set the left front wheel (using the steering wheel) so that the measurement is the same on both sides of the rim (left is at 0 toe, perfectly straight)
Go to the right side (assuming that you have loosened the tie rod ends on the right) and adjust it so the front of the right rim is about 1/8" more than the rear of the right front rim (TOE IN).
(this is much easier with a set of turbo tie rod ends)
I use a machinist ruler when I make my measurements and can get this as accurate as any alignment monkey.

Now as far as the camber....Do yourself a favor and spend the $200.00 on the digital camber gauge from smart racing products.
Also spot on when done correctly. I zero out the gauge on the flat plane where my front tires will be sitting then just go to each side of the car and adjust the camber with the 3 allen head bolts at the top of the strut under the front lid.

Then treat yourself to a beer for all that money and hassle you saved by doing it yourself!

QUOTE (TimT @ Feb 16 2005, 03:55 PM)

we fine tune the adjustment on some pretty serious race cars with these you can buy them for like $50, or make your own  :beer1:

Tim,

I can't quite make out the logo of that device in your photo, do you have a link or name for this product?



Dominic: That made my head dizzy, but I'm gonna try it.

The toe plates are Longacre products.

If you have a tinsmith nearby you can have a set made for less than the $50 or so the Longacre ones cost

Joseph, I use the same teqnique as Tim, but mine are made from wood (go figure). It's pretty easy. I'll show ya my setup this sunday at Hallett.

Hey Guys
The closest thing "real" was some guys homemade kit, sells them on ebay, starts at 800$
And I am still not sure tho... sounds cheap. If it needs fine tunning to make it 100% 914 compatible, I am sure the Egineer, Builder, Owner would be easy anough to talk to about it. He had better if he wants to sell some of them.
My sugestion, from someone thats been there done that, use the tape measure + boubble camber guage set up, I think its fine for your race car/project, but for a daily driver I would want more.
My story....
I install shocks and springs, four corners. I call a friend of mine with a new 30000$ alignment machine, I make arrangements with him to be the last customer of the day, it fell on a friday, I offered to pay his last 2 hours of alignment time. Long story short, started/worked late, ate some pizza and had some beers. Adjusted every possible adjustment, to perfect 0+-. Took some time, tryed to pay for it, he didn't want money, because it was afterhours, I payed the treats
I know this is stuff that dreams are made of, but being in the buisiness has its perkz. My sugestion is to stock up on rear shimms, check out some smaller private shops, with a qualified aligner (some shops don't have speciallized men for alignments), and ask to pay for hours insted of a flat rate. Its your dime. I would of gladly pay 120.00$ for the alignment I got, my car ran strait for years. Priceless.
I think this is basic knowledge for the guys that posted, but I still like telling that story.
Do a search on Ebay for the 800$ tool, check it out. Comes with options
WBR
Joe