how to find an alignment shop

[hrosenthal]

I will want to get an alignment for my rolling chassis soon. I'm a little confused about how to find someone who can do this for me.
I'm not sure if a typical alignment shop will know how to handle it. I'm also not sure if the FFR control arms are common, and anyone will know how to adjust them.
I'm worried about someone doing a lousy job for a lot of money.
Any suggestions for how to find someone qualified to handle this.
Thanks

[edwardb]

You're right. I wouldn't walk into your local tire store just because they have an alignment machine. Ask around to other enthusiasts. Replicas plus other hot rods, etc. The front end FFR uses is not unusual in these circles, and typically there are places that know their way around them. 2 wheel alignment or 4 wheel (IRS)? That makes a difference too.

Having said that, I personally would be in no hurry to do a pro alignment, especially on a rolling chassis. In fact, I wouldn't. You need the car to be completed, e.g. body on, and at ride height. The alignment can change with ride height adjustments. Most guys go a few hundred miles at least because it takes a little while for the ride height to settle in.

I would recommend investing in an alignment tool like the Fastrax Camber/Caster Gauge. For about $180 you can do it yourself as many times as you like. Get it close now, tweak it when the car is done, and have it alignment professionally if you want after it's been driven a little. My Mk3, finished last year, has nearly 1,700 miles now. I did the alignment myself, thinking I would have a pro job done later. But it drives perfectly and tire wear is normal/even. Hasn't seen a pro alignment, although I know of several in my area that know how.

[emac]

I had a lousy initial job done. If you have IRS you will need to find a shop that will take the time to do it right. It is very time consuming. Ask some body shops or custom rod shops for a recomendation. There are several threads on alignment on this and the other forum, I would do a lot of reading about alignments so you will know what you need to have done.

I bought a fastrax to fine tune and play with my alignment. Pretty fun if you like that kind of stuff!

[FFRSpec72]

I have not found an alignment shop that can do as good of a job as I can, it takes time and the alignment shops like to get cars in and out. They all question the numbers you give them and they do what they want. Suggest you stick to doing your own, maybe you just need more practice.

[Racebrewer]

I just aligned my street car myself. I used the "string" method to set the toe and then checked camber with a Craftsman digital level. Since the car had been lowered the toe was way off, but that was easy to adjust.

Google "string alignment" or "stringing alignment".

John

[skullandbones]

hrosenthal,

It really would be helpful to do some DIY aligning just to get a feel for the components you have assembled. The relationships of the ride height, toe-in, camber, and castor are pretty interesting after you have fooled around with the adjustements a little. I did my prelimenary adjustment with blocks under the LCAs to set camber and toe-in. After I lowered the chassis onto the tires the toe changed 1/4 in toe-in to 0. I have a ride height of 5.25 in right now but when I lower that a little the toe will change again. So I will have to take in one or maybe two rotations of the tie rod ends. I think having some working knowledge of the front suspension will also give you a little leverage at the alignment shop if you still need to tweek it. It's less likely they will BS you about the process. IMO. WEK.

[hrosenthal]

I think you guys convinced me to align it myself. I'm sure I'll have alot of questions when the time comes.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[Hazelwwp]

I took the suspension & steering class at the local community college and learned how to do it myself. I got to use a really high end alignment machine and it turned out perfect. If you don't want to take the time to take a class, just let the students do it. They would love working on such a car and the instructors supervise everything. It probably won't cost you a dime.

[efnfast]

I agree - buy a Fastrax or Longacre digital caster/camber/toe gauge and do it yourself - every "professional" alignment I've had done (on a super fancy expensive machine) has sucked *** compared to the ones I do myself.

[FFRSpec72]

I agree - buy a Fastrax or Longacre digital caster/camber/toe gauge and do it yourself - every "professional" alignment I've had done (on a super fancy expensive machine) has sucked *** compared to the ones I do myself.

+1, I used a Longacre (as they are right up the road from me and they have scratch and dent units). I do suggest that you find some turn plates to get accurate readings for when you set the caster (the turn plates can be the most expensive part, but you can also make your own).

[Avalanche325]

There are some interesting DIY turn plate ideas out there. Basically, two plates with grease.

[hrosenthal]

How do the rear tires get aligned for an IRS? The descriptions I've seen are for front tires only and require turning the wheels to adjust the caster. How is that done on the rear wheels that don't turn?
Thanks

[emac]

No caster adjustment on the rear. Only Camber and toe. Do a search (here and on FFcars) for IRS alignment and look for some of Michael Eversons posts. He has a very good method for putting shims in and and adjusting heim joints to get it "in the ball park" . His method worked for me.....after a bad alignment left tires rubbing.

[CraigS]

Especially w/ IRS I recommend also that you do it yourself. It is VERY time consuming but kind of fun once you get comfortable w/ it. Since it's time consuming I'd recommend you schedule an entire day w/o interruptions for family stuff. If you have a time limit it just adds to the stress. I have the Longacre old style tool and am quite happy w/ it. I made up a piece from a shelf section to locate it on the wheel and hold it there w/ a bungee.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/craig-s/th_Aligntool.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/craig-s/Aligntool.jpg)
Click to enlarge. Sorry, I flipped this in my pictures and again inPhotobucket and it's still upside down.
I actually don't use any kind of turnplates. I do this myself so I like to turn the steering past where it needs to be (15 or 20 degrees) and let it settle back to the spec. Then I can read the tool to get caster. Search here for alignment threads and study the IRS posts since this is by far the hardest to do.
Edit. I clicked next to your post on stretching mounting ears. W/ that post in mind, there is no question in my mind that you can do your own alignment.

[edwardb]

I do suggest that you find some turn plates to get accurate readings for when you set the caster (the turn plates can be the most expensive part, but you can also make your own).

Read this on one of the forums and it works great: Take a heavy duty trash bag and cut into 4 big pieces. Put two layers under each front tire. Tires move very easily for setting the caster. One alignment will pretty much destroy the bag pieces, but the price is right.

[Avalanche325]

This thread has convinced me to do it myself when the time comes.

Has anyone used both the Fastrax and the Longacre? Opinions please.

[emac]

I have the Fastrax with the optional toe bars (some folks make their own). If you take your time and understand how the tool works, I think you can get very accurate results. There are plenty of how to videos. I have not used any products from Longarce, so I wouldnt be of any help there. It appears the Longacre only does caster and camber, so you would need a way to check toe after adjusting caster/camber. I like the idea of only one tool and no batteries.

[snakeboost]

If you don't want or not trust doing it yourself 1st time out look up your local chapter of NASA or SCCA online. check out the forums & I'm sure there is a shop in every area to preform an alignment. Like everything else check out the shop & online for competence & you should be good to go! I have the Fastrax & love it!

Steve