Set ride height without corner scales?

[tubwreck]

I've just finished a bunch of front end work (replace Charley bar with stock sway bar, new a-arms, and new balljoints) on my '88.

When I took the front end apart, I marked the position of the height adjuster screws, and now that it's all back together, I'd like to reset the ride height to factory spec (PO lowered it).

Bentley says to adjust the corner weights whenever you set the ride height. Is there any hack-mechanic way to do this if you don't happen to have a set of corner scales?

Or should I bite the bullet and pay my mechanic to do this, along with an alignment?

[imcarthur]

Yes, there is a hack method. Do a search on Tripod or Tripod method.

Here is a starter for you Tripod

Ian

[Eagledriver]

Assuming you indexed the bars the same as when they were removed all you have to do is turn the adjusters the same amount on each side.

-Andy

[afterburn 549]

My hack way-(and seems to work)-buy at least 4 bathroom scales more is better......put a 2 by 6 on them let you tire dwn and now you have the weight of that corner.....keep in mind the whole car has to be level thats why more scales are better so you dont have to rerig everyrhing.

[ChrisBennet]

Ask around, maybe you can borrow or rent some scales from someone in your club. Do you have any racer friends?
-Chris

[safe]

Afterburner, do you have just 4 scales?

I was thinking about this, but getting 8 for the rear and 6 for the front.
But it adds up $$ and it would be ridiculous going to the store buying 14 bathroom scales.....

[afterburn 549]

over here scales are cheap, cheap , cheap......but 4 will work for ya,just use something that same thickness under your other wheels

[safe]

Well, they are not very expensive here either, I could probably get 14 scales for around $250.

If you use just 4 scales do you lift the car up and move around the scales?

[greglepore]

I'd be tempted to get 5 or 6 guys together on a set of Longacres, then rotate them as needed, with the user paying shipping from the last user. Anyone interested?

[afterburn 549]

I dont know the weight of your car.....but 5 for ea rear wheel should be plenty and 4 for the front ( I cant see ya being over 900 lbs per wheel on the rear and over 400 per front.......

[Zeke]

Originally posted by safe
Well, they are not very expensive here either, I could probably get 14 scales for around $250.

If you use just 4 scales do you lift the car up and move around the scales?

Wait a minute.....where is the info on the cantilever set up? One scale per corner is all you need. One fourth of the weight is shown when the tires is cantilevered three fourths the distance from the scale, isn't that how they worked? Ruggles, or something like that? You can make these with some angle iron.

Of course, the individual scales should be calibrated the same first. Especially if you are going to factor the weight.

[stlrj]

"scales should be calibrated the same..."

To make things worse, your floor has to be absolutely flat too.

[afterburn 549]

floor dont have to be flat.....scale deck ht all has to be the same (shim where necessary)

[safe]

I found some cheap scales around $100 for 14.
I have been thinking of making and only use one scale per wheel, but I think it 14 scales will be cheaper and more accurate in the end.

[Dutchie]

anyone tried a scale like in the picture ?

[jluetjen]

Dutchie; I used a corner-weight checker like that when I did my car and it worked fine. It's the same thing as I used to use on Formula Fords and it worked fine then.

Ed Dennison; email or PM me. I've got a speedway corner weight checker similar to what Dutchi pictured and you're welcome to borrow it since you're in the neighborhood. I've also got some jigs made up to do a string alignment which also worked great for me.