QUOTE(JPB @ Aug 5 2006, 08:54 AM)
I have seen some hotroder's home alignments done with these cool duhickies that wrap around the tires. All one needs to do is read a tape measure and voila! As for the camber, I guess all one needs is an angle finder that can be used on the individual rims on an even floor. All I was wondering is if anyone here does this and with what tools/equipment? Where can we get what we need to do this and where can we find a good chart for toe and camber for specific applications?
We need links for god sakes, trinkets, toys, can't go at it Handsolo OB1!
I found the post I made way back when........here you go!
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!