DIY wheel allignment

[shogun]

Have done it today again, who else is doing it?
We use this one



Here some more info
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/428554

[BigKriss]

Wow, I can't see that clearly from the picture, does it tell you toe in/out in mm or minutes?

How long did it take you to align your wheels? Is it easy? I mean to adjust the tie rods while the measuring device is underneath the wheels.

[e34.535i.sport]

I want to know more also! I'd be seriously interested in one of those if it worked... Imagine the savings - especially with the amount of speed bumps in my area.

[shogun]

It shows it in degrees, toe-in or toe-out.
Then you have to adjust the tie-rod on that side where the tool is, drive straight back and forward again over that tool again to measure and you see the next measurement. On the other side one has to put a rubber mat in front of the wheel so that both have same height (included in the tool set).
After it fits, move to the other side and do the same.
Not too difficult, we had to adjust each side 2 times and then it was a perfect fit. But my buddy has experience with it and told us how many mm we should most probably adjust for that degree, so we followed his advise, but as it looks it is quickly learned by experience.
A pit is of course of advantage for the adjustment in between measurements.

I have searched in the internet with these catch words and apparently in the U.K. that tool is is well known and recommended, for example in a Volvo Forum.
Do a search, or maybe another person can chime in who uses this or another (maybe better?) tool.

[BigKriss]

Thankyou Erich, I will look into it. It will save money in the long run for sure. I don't trust tyre shops over here.I thought it was about 3.5mm +/- 1mm total of toe in for the e34 535i.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Suggest you try "demon tweaks" for the best price, google them,it does work but I suggest you get it professionally done them use a tractrite to establsh a datum, then when you check it you have something to check against.

[bsell]

Have done it today again, who else is doing it?
We use this one



Here some more info
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/428554

You ever set toe-in with a tape measure? I have in a pinch and checked it later on the four-wheel machine at work. Guess what, it was spot on.

All you have to do is measure from the same part of the tread pattern on both the front side of the tire front tires and the rear side front tires. The difference in measurements gives you your toe-in. It helps to have a tool to hold the steering wheel straight while adjusting the tie rods.

Brian

[ryan roopnarine]

harbor freight finally has teh ebay beat for cheapness on an alignment tool....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30167

12.99, not as nice looking as the converted ramp tool you brought up, though.

[shogun]

German Oldtimer magazine tested it and states that it is almost comparable to a $ 30.000 high tech machine in accuracy. Minor differences could be neglected.

Here some more info:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Trakrite-Wheel-A...QQcmdZViewItem

[BigKriss]

is there a link from the old timer magazine to show us the review?