Wheel Alignment - String Method

[JamesBryan]

Found this handy DIY alignment calculator for anyone looking to do their alignment via the string method.

https://robrobinette.com/DIYAlignmentCalculator.htm
https://robrobinette.com/DIYAlignmentCalculator.htm
Possibly make this a sticky, mods? @Knuckles @James

 

[Knuckles]

Ooh. Clever. Stickied

 

[Landyman]

I have used this method and it is very accurate if done carefully.

 

[Greeny.]

nice find, ta.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I've heard of successful race teams using this out of choice over a laser setup

 

[JamesBryan]

Just as accurate as laser alignment, it's all in the setup.

 

[Danith]

Grinspeed and Tensport swear by the string. No point wasting money on a fancy laser system!

Super fast payback period too @ £100 a setup!

 

[ollierclayton]

Used many times, fantastic process. It is exactly what a laser system is anyway!

 

[DrR]

I can’t remember the guys name, but someone did mine using this method, they did it better than demon tweets coukd with their laser thing.

 

[Landyman]

Yep, so long as the front and rear are the same (rears not wider) you’ll be fine.
I had my “tracking” done on my Clio 1.2 at £25 as it “needed doing” when l had two front tyres.
I checked it with string when l got home and l got +1deg toe in which is exactly what they said it was set at.

 

[JB21]

Need to try this as I spend hundreds a year on wheel alignment.

 

[DrR]

Need to try this as I spend hundreds a year on wheel alignment.

Why? I’ve had it done once in 15 years of driving!

 

[JamesBryan]

Why? I’ve had it done once in 15 years of driving!

Track car Vs road car.

 

[bashracing]

I just eyeball the road car

 

[Usr117063]

I just eyeball the road car

View attachment 1389065

I was in a rush once and gave it a quick 1-2, set the camber bolts up after though and obviously didnt realise that it throws the toe out at the time. couple days later after some strange handling it was getting aligned he said it was 10 deg toe out, was probably the hardest Ive ever had to work driving ever, and a seat was following me while we overtook everyone down some b roads, I just shake my head thinking about this sort of s**t

 

[banhama]

Really useful thread many thanks @JamesBryan, highlighted an error I'd made at the offside rear in using shims to add negative camber I'd also added massive toe-in! My mistake in the combination of shims and easily rectified, but the string alignment method has saved me about £100 in identifying the problem. Ta

 

[K clio]

Anyone tried the gunson trakrite thing that you drive over?

 

[Iamhiding]

Anyone tried the gunson trakrite thing that you drive over?

My friends dad had one years ago, from what i remember it was alright enough for rough setup if youve just replaced a rod end etc without much faff but its not accurate enough if youre dialling in toe. Thats speculative and just our experience of course, i dare say it could be made to work.

String method is faffy to setup but the way to go unless you wanna buy specialist tools or cough up and get someone to do it.

Anyone going down the string/diy route save yourself some swearing and dont forget your total toe is across both wheels. Its faaaar too Easy to forget the in the moment and over adjust by applying the ideal total toe to each wheel individually on that axle and wind up with double the toe youre after.

 

[GrahamS]

I've had mixed experiences with string, sometimes spot on, othertimes a pain due to leveling of the setup, car and keeping the wheel clamped. For the time it takes on a car with minimal adjustment for me it's better to pay £35. Granted it adds up quickly if you like to tinker with the suspension components. For a raceteam I think it's OK but if you're clocking up thousands of miles on the motorway a hunter elite system or similar will be more accurate and consistent, however, the operative needs to be properly trained.

On a 15" wheel 1mm movement on the wheel is 5 minutes. That is very difficult to accurately measure without a very good supporting set of turntables to remove any pre-load and a perfect environment.

Anyone wants to try it I have some dished turn plates which are free to collect from Orpington.

 

[alistairolsen]

I've got a set of old Dunlop gauges which are great. I hate misaligned cars and the days of getting it done for £30 have gone here now. Just means whenever the cars have been in bits they can be put back right straight away, new stuff can be checked etc.