Currently, I have this Longacre caster/camber gauge-
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/p..._Camber_Gauges

The problem is I have to hold it on to use it with any aluminum wheels.

I'm also thinking about picking this up to save time-

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/p..._Alignment_Kit

Also, in the future, this scale looks decent for the price-
http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/67650/10002/-1

What do you all use?

 

the used tool truck had the first one you listed, i might grab it just cause he wanted like 25 bucks for it.... even if i do only use it once... i just figure itld be good for driveway strut jobs....

 

That's a REALLY good deal. I use it on Jeeps and larger trucks

 

I use the Smart Strings. You'll see them in the pits at World Challenge races. One thing to be careful of is wind. It only takes a slight breeze to give you a banana-shaped alignment.

Used to have a Smart Camber gauge, but then I didn't. Kinda pissed that I don't know why.

 

Thanks for the heads up! I guess its time to make an order

 

I have a cheap camber caster guage from summit that works great, it was less than $50 and for toe I use a bar that attaches to my 6uls on one side then I measure with a tape from the other. its easy to set up and only cost me about $60 for both.

 

I bought a laser level from Sears... about 25 bucks. I magnet it onto a piece of steel angle that I can mount to the wheel and laser onto a wooden panel to measure total toe. I turn the steel mount vertical to measure camber.

Also, good idea to go to Home Depot and buy some uber cheap floor tile. Stick some grease between two and you have (nearly) frictionless plates for alignment tweaks w/o winding up your tires. Total for everything under 30 bucks, but you'll need to do trig to get toe.

 

4-5 layers of wax paper also works if you don't have turn tables.

 

Link for verification please

 

I've used smart strings quite a bit. They work great as long as you "square" them to the car correctly while the car is level. There are write ups online about making your own as well. The set is expensive but it is complete.
Many people use cheap fishing reels with line in them for the strings so you don't have to hand wind them back up. They tend to get tangled as heck when hand winding them too.

 

my alignment tool


simple and effective!

 

I'll have about 1200 pulled out of my wallet once its all said and done.

 

Smart strings ordered. Scales are up next...

 

Scales ordered. I was using the fender roller as a feeler for renting tools out (next up was going to be this setup), but I guess if people can't afford the 250 deposit for the fender roller, they really won't have the 1200 for the scales/alignment kit.

 

A fellow autoXer has a couple of aluminum plates with slits cut in the ends for a couple of tape measures. Makes a simple, but effective measuring tool for toe when in the pits.

 

Thanks! That'll be the next thing I makeup.

 

Smart strings on hold......... They sent it to me missing 6 bars, so I have no way to mount it to the car!

 

These are cheap and effective for the front if you can reset the steering wheel, but I don't know how effective they would be for the rear. You only know total toe, but not how much on each side. ( my experience with these is on vw's).



Still looking for a good way to set toe.

 

The smart strings........

Then you can make sure your thrust angle is right also.

 

Tape measure and pink yarn! LOL