Alignment check, but don't adjust anything

[MB750]

I know what to adjust to get the values where I want them, and according to all the analog math and procedures I could conduct everything feels fine, but I'd like a confirmation how close I am.

Has anyone ever done this? Honestly I just don't trust some schmuck to start wrenching on my ride. Unless someone knows of a reputable Cobra alignment source in Tampa, of course.

[Jeff Kleiner]

So.... You want "some schmuck" to set up and calibrate their machine and tell you what you have but you don't want them to make any adjustments or changes. Let me guess, you also don't want to pay the price of an alignment for this? Let us know how that works out.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

Some schmuck who has a $50,000 Hunter alignment rack? Some schmuck who does this for a living, a dozen times a day?

[MB750]

Why is this an offensive request?

If I'm so out of line, anyone got any suggestions where I could take it?

And yes, I'll pay... :rolleyes: Jesus, you two act like I kicked your dog. I just asked a question.

[rich grsc]

The question isn't the problem

[CraigS]

I think any decent alignment tech would be glad to do that for his standard full alignment price. Back when I was doing alignments at a Lexus dealer I know I would have been up for it. The problem might be finding a good tech.

[rthomas98]

Any shop using computer aided alignment and will to do custom adjustments as opposed to just the pre-loaded vehicles will be fine. However I do not allow the techs to drive the car onto the rack. I request to do this, learned that one with my f-150 when the alignment tech decided to rev it to the moon because of the MBRP exhaust that was on it. Then when it came off the rack decided to do a burnout in the parking lot. Only good news was I got a free alignment that day. So yeah they don't touch the cobra's driver seat.

[gbranham]

The suspension on these cars isn't some exotic thing. It's quite basic, actually. Any alignment shop can get it dialed in better than the schmuck who built the car. This penny-pinching exercise is the kind of thing I'd expect from someone who builds a $60,000 play car, then evades property tax by registering it in Montana. ;)


Greg

[OB6]

There are several shops in the DFW area that specialize in custom vehicles and/or track cars, and custom alignments are a big part of what they do. I'm sure there are similar shops in the Tampa area. And if I'm honest, I'd trust most of these shops more than myself to wrench-in the adjustments. Most will charge by the hour, which I think is fair.

[David Hodgkins]

There is a LOT of passive-aggressive posting in this thread. What's going on? Feel free to PM me with details.

I'm on the edge of closing this thread, which I have not had to do in a long time.

:mad:

[ProfessorB]

.
Here's an idea that worked for me. I had acquired a Mark II that, initially, handled like a wheel barrow. First, I got a lot of good input on here about geometry affects handling. Then I read up on the subject (yup, that's what I did) and decided to do it myself. The main reason for my decision is I wanted to try different settings....then road test....then try NEW settings....then road test, etc I didn't want to keep running back and forth to the alignment shop.
My first step was buying and installing adjustable upper control arms, then I bought some alignment tools....a good camber/caster gauge and some turn plates. Some guys even forgo the turn plates to save a little money but I decided to splurge. For a front-to-back reference line I used a STRING (I found out lots of race teams prefer a simple string over a laser). It took me all day.....I made some settings and then changed them but I VERY happy with the results. The tools cost about the price of one alignment and I can (and do) check my alignment from time to time without travel, expense, or having to make an appointment.

[egchewy79]

I did my own home alignment w/ some Tenhulzen alignment plates.
Tracks pretty straight at 80mph, so I never really considered taking it to a pro shop.
I've seen some use gallon freezer bags w/ a bit of grease in them under the front tires instead of turn plates.
I tried using a string method, skimming my rear tires, to determine my toe, but realized after a bit that my thrust angle was a bit off 90* which threw off my measurements on the front tires. Instead, I made some plywood jigs that hooked to the inside of the 4" frame to create parallel lines with the frame.
https://www.ffcars.com/threads/first-roadster-build.636356/page-29 post 572

[rich grsc]

OH Greg, bazinga
David, some times things just need to run

[Mike.Bray]

I did my alignment myself with a few alignment told and it drives great. As Greg said, these cars are pretty basic.

222794222795222796

A few fellow builders on this forum have used my tools to do their alignments also.

[Avalanche325]

Buy the tools and do it yourself. It takes some time, but it is easy.

What are you going to do if it is off? Make a wild guess adjustment and take it back for another check?

[CraigS]

There is a LOT of passive-aggressive posting in this thread. What's going on? Feel free to PM me with details.

I'm on the edge of closing this thread, which I have not had to do in a long time.

:mad:

I agree David. I don't understand the hate about a simple question.

[rich grsc]

Craig, the question is NOT the issue.