Re: Alignment techniques

["David R. Derting" <davidder@teleport.com>]

This is s "me-too" response.  About a year ago I bought a camber gauge 
and made "Trammel Bar" (used to measure toe-in/out).  I got tired of 
paying $50-$100 for laser alignment jobs that seemed to be mediocure at 
best.  To my susprise 
I've been getting good results as evidenced by good tire wear, straight
tracking, and good handling.  Plus the added bonus that I can change 
suspension components (like a tire rod or ball joint) and not pay an 
additional $50 for an alignment. 


David Derting
'83 TQC
'85 Jetta w/ 2.0 16v (home project)
'87 Scirocco 1.8 16v (latest addition)

On Thu, 30 Mar 1995, Graydon D. Stuckey wrote:

> Bob,
> 	A friend of mine is an engineer at Rockwell in Troy, where they 
> do big truck suspension pieces.  They did a study two years ago to find 
> out what was the best alignment method in terms of accuracy and 
> repeatability.  Know what?  They found out that a sharp mechanic with 
> some string, levels, and tape measures and calipers could do a much 
> better job than the fancy laser systems!  I have done all of my own 
> alignment since then with very good luck.  Note, that this is how many of 
> the Indy teams do their alignments (basically)
> 
> Later,
> 
> Graydon D. Stuckey
> 
> '86 Audi 5000 CS Turbo Quattro		'83 Mazda RX7, SCCA Solo II F-Prepared
> '83 Mazda RX7, street car		'85 Mazda RX7, street car
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> GDS Racing				(810) 733-7383
> 4081 Sheraton Drive,			EMAIL:graydon@apollo.gmi.edu
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> 

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