hmm i need to set up a rig and learn this could save me a few bob
That 15" figure doesn't seem right but I just multiplied Chips 2.5mm figure x3 to get a 1 degree.
View attachment 108844I made this for stringing the Clio. It allows you to move the car about when making adjustments.
Another bar just cabled to the front bumper then run the strings between them.
I haven't actually used it yet but no reason why it won't work.
When I use it for the first time I am going to put a screw to stop the main bar from sliding. As the notches for the string will be cut exact distances apart then whenever one side of the car is aligned with the string I know that the other is parallel.The key thing is going to be that its absolutely centrally located, 1mm off and it will make all your measurements pretty useless.
Ive just have weights on the end of the lines which means they are always tight.That's what I'm away to make but out of powder coated white steel (cheaper than ally) with an adjuster to pull the strings taught and one that hooks in through the front grill.
When I use it for the first time I am going to put a screw to stop the main bar from sliding. As the notches for the string will be cut exact distances apart then whenever one side of the car is aligned with the string I know that the other is parallel.
Ive just have weights on the end of the lines which means they are always tight.
Just get the car up on some wooden blocks to give you an extra 3" or so then there's no need to turn wheels for access.
I am also going to make the front bar mountable across the strut tops to hang two plum bobs for camber changes, doing this means you can drive the car after changes to settle the suspension and your datum's are still there.
I setup bumpsteer just by removing the sprint and then putting a jack under the subframe, not perfect but it costs nothing.Then a longacre bump steer gauge and you have all the gear to make geo setup with the wheels on or off.
I cant think of a simpler, cheaper way to do everything at home. All that will cost circa £200 and can be modified slightly to be used on other vehicles too.
I just seen these toe plates which are ideal for a quick toe check if you know the car is otherwise fine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toe-In-Plates-/170844478703
What I did to do similar was just a long piece of ally box with a 90 degree end on it, put it round the front and mark with a pen where it hits the tyre the other side, then do the same again on the back of the wheel.
But I'd sooner spend a bit longer and string it properly TBH as I view the tyre as a non ideal edge to work from.
Thats what all the stock car guys do as it needs doing every race basically but that's a bit more agricultural than a circuit setup.
Or dunlop gauges!Axle stands, builders plumbline chalk string, steel rule.
Yes mate optical ones. They work very well on all the lowered cars I've done with mine mate. Never had an issue transporting them either!Optical ones? They don't work on lowered cars IME and again aren't mobile
Yes mate optical ones. They work very well on all the lowered cars I've done with mine mate. Never had an issue transporting them either!
Well you will leave yourself open for the smart arse comments! Flol! Tbh, the resetting of them doesn't bother me anyway. I've done it that many times I know how much to move the track rods to get very close to the desired setting. I also have a string setup that hangs off the car. That's the weapon of choice when I want to see how much of a shim I've got to fit to one of the cadburys rear beams.Haha funny bugger, If you move the car they need reset again which is the bonus of the pole rigs. The bumper gets in the way of the mirror on most cars I have done, you need a good 100mm? Do you use them so the read out is under the sill or something
Same thing but without the need for axle stands and you have mobile datums with this.
View attachment 108872
Optical ones? They don't work on lowered cars IME and again aren't mobile
I see that Morgan, but like everything, it isn't always that easy.
That picture shows it attached to the car, if a car has been corner weighted, it won't be level.
What if the car has had a bash etc, thats the only problem with using anything that is connected to a part of the car as a reference point.
I always get mine set up with a Hunter type laser machine, then check it against a pair of Dunlop gauges (which, like Mark, I never have any trouble using), then check again with axle stands and string.
The string method then for the rest of the year, as this is the only thing that is mine.
Morgan, get yourself 4 bits of thin ally (2mm eg), put some grease between them, then put them under the front wheels. This will then move slightly when the car is lowered onto them.
I find my car doesn't move anyway, so pointless moving it backwards and forwards.
how do you account for the different track widths front to back?
how do you account for the different track widths front to back?