DIY alignments?

[jdbubb at ix.netcom.com (Dan Bubb)]

When I refer to a pad I'm just talking about a flat surface big enough for 
your tire to sit on.
Its purpose simply to compensate for a not-flat floor.
As far as accessing the camber adjustment, I take the tire off, loosen the 
bolts so they're just loose enough that I can turn them with a wrench. Put 
the tire back on, car on the ground, pushed back and forth and bounced 
several times to settle everything, then measure the camber and adjust by 
snaking your arm around the tire as required. It's not too difficult.
When the camber adjusted, take the tire back off and torque the camber bolts 
to spec being careful that the top one does not rotate.
Adjusting the toe is similar in that you need to reach underneath with the 
car on the floor and adjust the tie rod. Once the setting is correct you can 
remove whatever alignment setup you have around the car and steer the wheels 
for good access to the tie rod to tighten them, again being careful not to 
disrupt the setting.
Dan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anthony Pelletier" <vwnuts@yahoo.com>
To: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: DIY alignments?


>A question about home alingment pads.  I am familiar
> with the different ways you can measure toe & camber,
> but have always had a hard time adjusting camber at
> home because you have to jack the car up to make
> camber adjustments.  What would be needed to make a
> home alingment pad?  Could you just make a pad out of
> a few 2x4s as long as they were all level?  I just
> need enough so I can sneak under a lowered vw and make
> some adjusments.  What do you guys use?
>
> Tony