Can you do your own Wheel Alignment?

[-= SKiZO =-]

Hey,

I try and do as much as possible to keep my families cars running well.

One thing that I've never been taught is wheel alignment. Seems every so often throughout the year this needs to be done and wouldn't mind knowing how to do this.

So can a backyard mechanic do this? If not, just say no you idiot. If so, please explain.

Many thanks.

[Duncan]

Well...unless you know what you are doing take it somewhere with a 4 wheel laser aligner like most Bob Janes. We tried to do the toe ourselves the other day, thought we had it right (1mm in at rear) but actually had 17mm out not as easy as it looks

Wheel Alignments are really important, they have a hge effect on handling and tyre wear.

[race_snooze]

it can be done but hell why would you for $35 well close to that just go get it done, peace of mind then and you get some sort of a waranty with it

[Sydneykid]

A $35 wheel alignement will get you a front toe adjustment, if you are really lucky they might do the rear toe as well. Forget about camber or caster adjustments, that isn't going to happen for $35.

We have a camber gauge, 2 pieces of box section aluminium and 2 lengths of 1.5mm hat elastic and I align the race cars with that equipment. But I have been doing it for a lot of years. I couldn't possibly explain it, would take me 10 thousand words or more. Pop out to a race meeting and I can show you though.

[-= SKiZO =-]

Thanks for the feedback guys, appreciate it, I'll keep paying to do it.

I also found this great website:- http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm for anyone else looking on this issue.

Thanks for the offer too SK, I won't trouble you with that, but If you need an extra hand to help out with something at a track one weekend, just PM me, cheers.

[wizard2k]

my dad did his own wheel alignment on an old ZH Fairlane he had after changing some suspention parts

when he took it down to get it done properly it was within 1mm of being dead accurate (all done by eyesight) the guy at the tyre place couldnt believe it

so it can be done but better to get the pros to do it that way you know its right.

[Baz]

The only thing you could do by yourself would to adjust the tie rods to centre the steering wheel if the steering wheel is offset in a straight line. However this would only be a temporary fix. Doing a wheel alignment by hand should not be attempted by the light hearted and it is definately not easy to do for someone inexperienced in doing it. As SK said it would take too long to explain it over a forum and that the only way to show you how to do it would be in person.

Best off spending that $35 for a wheel alignment.