Thinking about doing my own alignment, stupid?

Argeo · 03-10-2006, 12:32 PM

Hi,
I am getting ready to replace my front suspension bushings, front and rear inserts and putting in turbo tie rods. I was planning on getting an alignment afterwards but cost is always an issue unfortunately. Anyways, after reading the Pelican articles "911 Alignment methods" by Mike Piera and "Home Alignment" by John Rodgers I thought maybe I could try and do it myself. I didn’t even know you could. I guess I just assumed one needed a special machine thatus DIYers wouldn’t and couldn’t have. Do any of you do your own? My car is a 77 911 C3 that I use for the occasional weekend drive and hope to autocross several times a year. Anyways, I really know nothing about suspension but I love a challenge if it can save me a buck. Well I know I am going to have a lot of questions along the way so I was wondering what I should find out before I start that would be helpful for answering people’s questions.

Please, I am really starting from scratch so please let me know if I am getting in over my head because I won’t bother. The good thing is that I do have all the tools (carpenter’s square, tape, sheet metal, tack, string). The bad thing is I have no idea of what the right settings I should be shooting for and if it is even practical for me to try. I tend to learn by doing, not by reading unfortunately.

Thanks,

David

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

David;
I did an alignment as well as a corner balance myself using the string method. I've been happy with it ever since. You're welcome to stop by on a Sunday afternoon and I'll show you how.

Argeo · 03-10-2006, 12:48 PM

Even better, thanks John. I'll keep you posted.

David

Jesset100 · Jesset100's Garage

I've done the string box method as well. I followed your build on your car and I have to say, this will be a piece of cake compaired to what you did to your car.
BTW outstanding DIY work.
The string method is time consuming but once you get your string box set and get all measurements, setting up the strings will be a 10 minute job.

ken180 · 03-12-2006, 08:22 AM

Read though these manuals. You can adapt the concepts to your own requiements.

Being LEVEL is very important.

Ken

http://www.smartracing.net/pdfdocs/011410_smartstrings_manual.pdf

http://www.smartracing.net/pdfdocs/011073_smartcamber_manual.pdf

Jon Merck · 03-12-2006, 09:03 AM

I've done and learned alot plus gained the satisfaction of doing it. Check the archives to get a feel for what your settings should be based on street/auto cross. I set mine up for aggressive street/mild track use, I think 1 degree negative camber front and 1 1/2 degree rear...you can do it!

jpnovak · 03-12-2006, 10:07 AM

I home aligned my targa and the ST. Its not hard to do. I just used a tape measure, plumb bob, level and some home made toe plates.

Both cars are great but I had to take the ST into the shop. I had a bad oversteer problem in left hand turns. I found out my tub is bent on the right side. My total toe in on the rear was made up of all toe out on the right side. I could have caught that myself with alignment strings.

Go for it, its easy.

HarryD · 03-12-2006, 10:14 AM

David,

Do a search for "Scruggs" here. For around $15 you can get a book that outlines what you may need.

Argeo · 03-13-2006, 04:00 AM

Thanks everyone for the encouragement, guides and compliments. I will certainly give it a try and let you know what happens.

David

masraum · 03-14-2006, 11:11 AM

Here, check this thread out. It has several detailed methods.

Toe Adjust Techniquest

Argeo · 03-15-2006, 12:17 PM

Alright, the madness has started. I think what I am going to do is start with just the sway bar bushings since the only one I can see so far is split in two and upgrade to turbo tie rods.

Well after reading all the wonderful stuff everyone provided plus the Haynes manual, I have come to the conclusion that I will just be throwing off my toe in/toe out.

With that thought, I did that tack trick to measure my toe in/toe out. I believe I had 57-1/2" on the back of the tire and rolled forward 57-1/16". I think that with knowing this, if I do one side at a time, and then measure to get back to the .12 inch difference and then proceed to the other side.

Anything I am missing?

Thanks again,

David

Argeo · 03-27-2006, 05:31 AM

Hi again,

Not sure if any of you caught my post on the 911 tech forum. I basically started my turbo tie rod conversion and noticed after doing the right side, the car was driving great. Nice and straight which considering it never had before, was amazing. Anyways, I then went to the left side and switch in. Amazing how fast something goes once you have done it before. It tool like 3 hrs to do the right and 1 hour for the left. Anyways, now the car pulls to the right. So in an effort to get back to straight, I started messing with the adjuster on the left, by shortening the tie rod. Still pulling to the right. Now I am not sure what side is messed up or if it is both sides. Anyways, I am tryinto figure out how to get both wheels back to perfectly straight from where I can then adjust from. Any suggestions? Should I just keep doing the roll trick until my measurements are the same and the car drives straight?

Thanks,

David

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

I'd don't know David. I don't think that there's any real short-cut, you'll just need to do a proper alignment. Getting it close by feel is fine prior to driving it to the alignment shop. But you'll be surprised once you get there how far out your settings will be compared to the ideal.

masraum · 03-27-2006, 06:50 AM

Is your steering wheel straight? Was it before? Get the car to zero toe in the front and then drive to someplace that can do an alignment. Toe on a rack and pinion car probably won't make the car pull. It's probably the caster/camber that's causing a problem.

Argeo · 03-27-2006, 07:03 AM

Yeah, I am thinking for sanity sake, I will bring someplace and have it done.

Thanks,

David