Re: cheapass ron, help, DIY alignment q's

[Cheapass Ron <rapieper@yahoo.com>]

First, there's this, a recommended read
http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/BackyardAlignment.html

Second, Ryan McCarthy and I were brainstorming b/c a
few months ago on this very topic.  I can't find the
last few emails, but I was proposing to level the car
using roofing shingles as shims (a true level surface
being assumed hard to find).  Tools needed: helper (or
opposable big toes), carpenters square, carpenters
level, shingles, chalk, calculator/slide rule/trig
charts (depending on how old you are).  Also a long
2x4 would be required, prob. with a shorter one nailed
along one end to bring the long one away from the body
for doing camber.

Now, this is cannon fodder for those who see the holes
in the process, but get it out boys and girs, so's we
all git some larnin'.

Get wheels pointing straight ahead.  Toe can be
measured by making two marks on the long 2x4, one
about below the bumper and the other at the far end. 
Hold it against the wheel, level with the ground. 
Make a mark on the ground directly under each
mark...use a carpenter's square.  Similarly, make a
mark at the far end.  Do this for both, then trig it
out...(not covered here...remember Indian Chief
SohCahToa??  I do!).  You know how to adjust.  This
will at least get your front wheels pointed in the
same direction.   It does *not* cover thrust angle...

Camber...same 2x4. pointed straight up (use a level). 
Move the level to the side, then move top or bottom of
the level in/out as required to find plumb.  Measure
the gap at the end of the level and using the length
of the level, trig it out.  Again, you know how to
adjust.

That's my Cheapass brainstorm, let me have it.

Ron


--- Allyn <amalventano1@home.com> wrote:
> ron (or anyone else willing to pipe up),
> i know you dont take the rocco and spend crazy
> amounts of money to get an
> alignment, so how the heck to i get this thing at
> least 'close' to spec in
> the driveway? what doesnt help here is that i have
> different size wheels in
> the back than the front, but i could reverse calc
> angles and whatnot on a
> calculator.
> i have shims in the front springs (8v's where 16v's
> are needed), and i know
> any decent shop wont touch it like that.
> i imagine what i need is a good degree marked level,
> and a level surface for
> the car, and some other crap, heh. gimme some ideas
> you diy ppl out there.
> thanks
> al
> 
> Allyn Malventano, ET1(SS), USN
> 87 rocco 16v (reiger gto - green - 'der rocco' -
> restoration in progress)
> 87 jetta 8v wolfsburg 2dr (260k, still tight :)
> 
> 
> 
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