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Wheel alignment / Track

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nissky
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2012/06/09 09:33:00 (permalink)
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Wheel alignment / Track

Adjusting coilovers at the moment, and i need to get a correct frame of reference for lining up the toe.
The front track is 1470mm and rear track is 1450mm.
I was assuming that this meant the front wheels were 10mm further out at each side.
After a quick check this is obviously wrong.
So I need to factor in the wheel width difference.
 
So does this sound right, with the stock wheels.
Offset is the same, so only thing that should matter, is the extra width.
Rear width is one inch wider so 25.4mm.
Additional width from centreline/track would be 25.4/2 = 12.7mm
 
So the outside edge of the rear wheels should sit (12.7mm-10mm) 2.7mm further out than the front wheels at each side.....?

Carless again :(
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9 Replies Related Threads

    blacky83
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/09 12:56:25 (permalink)
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    If your assumptions about offset/wheel width are correct then you should be right. Throw a tape measure from the outside edge of the wheels and measure the distance you get for front and back. Won't be perfect, but should confirm your measurements within a few mms.
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    B24
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/09 20:45:14 (permalink)
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    The best way to set your alignment at home is as follows.
    source two lengths of 25mm found or square tube at 2100mm long, fishing line, cloth tape. all at bunnings.
    measure from ground to centre of wheel.
    use cloth tape to secure tube to the front and rear of car at the measurement defining the centre of wheel. make sure the centreof tube to centre of car.
    secure fishing line from front to rear on either side of car spacing at 1900mm at either end.
    starting from rear,measure from centre of wheel hub to fishing line providing an even gap on either side mai
    #3

    B24
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/09 21:17:53 (permalink)
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    sorry, working with phone...

    maintain 1900mm.
    do the same at the front maintaining even gap and 1900mm.
    you will then have a base to sort your toe settings.
    measure from the front and rear edge of rim back to the fishing line/line taking notes as you go.you will work out where your toe setting is from the data you collect.
    #4
    B24
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/09 21:26:38 (permalink)
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    after you have taken measurements the adjusted to suit, check your camber with a digital level. set your camber to whatever your looking for, then check and reset alignment again. check camber and reset then reset toe settings again.best way to fine tune as they will put each other out when setting the other.
    the front track being more than the rear is ok. improves turn in.
    set front toe at 0, rear at 4mm in.
    #5
    Reddtarga
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/10 10:53:13 (permalink)
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    I saw much the same rig to what B24 described at this years 24 hour race at Bathurst, used by one of the Porsche teams after a car had clipped the wall at the top of the mountain.
     
    Watching from the rear of the pits I saw them use the rig that clipped on to the car with custom brackets front and rear. Then they made few quick adjustments, and the car went back out.
     
    With camber and toe as has been mentioned, when you change one the other also changes, so I prefer to start with camber and then do toe.
    To set camber I use a modified 300mm spirit level and vernier calipers using simple trigonometry - crude but it works
     

    1990 ADM NA
     
     
     
     
     
     
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    nissky
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/10 13:01:02 (permalink)
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    This is what i have been doing to get a square all around the car, with string down the sides.
    And using a spirit level for the camber.
    What a pain to adjust camber! using the elongated holes of the coilover struts, lost count of how many times
    i have removed the wheels.....
     
    So far i have;
    FR
    Ride height 335mm (centre of hub to arch)
    Camber -9mm (1.39degrees)
    Toe -1mm
     
    FL
    Ride height 335mm
    Camber -20mm :D still need to fix this one, and recheck front toe...
    Toe -1mm
     
    RR
    Ride height 345mm
    Camber -10mm (1.4degrees)
    Toe -2mm
     
    RL
    Ride height 345mm
    Camber -10mm (1.4 degrees)
    Toe -2mm
     
    All the toe measurements are at best +/-1mm, with my dodgy rig so im leaving the toe in the negatives all around.
    Camber and ride height are quite accurate, toe is a bit harder but its easy to adjust once you figure out which way to turn the locknuts :D
     
    Rebound  adjustment, i just picked some numbers...5 clicks from full soft at front and 8 clicks from full soft at the back...
    post edited by nissky - 2012/06/10 13:07:47

    Carless again :(
    #7
    B24
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/10 13:07:05 (permalink)
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    Its not the 24hr just yet! Hopefully soon as it was discussed over the weekend. I thought I saw you over the weekend but wasnt to sure due too many beers..Such is the 12hr.
    I find the camber moves once you set the toe so after doing it twice or three times, it will be that little more accurate. I have used a laser level in the past where I follow your principles for the same result. Another important point is to mark the floor where the wheels will sit, then run a level over these points to gain a nice level base before playing with camber and caster for that matter.
    If you stop by the local bearing supplier, you can pick up some 'lazy susan's'. You can then fit a alloy or timber plate to the top and bottom then locate on the wheel locations. Jack the car up and sit the wheels on the plates. This way you have a far more accurate outcome with your toe settings. The cheaper option is to put a board on the ground, layer of grease, another board. Rough but it works.
     
    #8
    nissky
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/10 13:16:27 (permalink)
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    Yeh those moveable plates would make it so much easier.
    I checked the garage floor, all good except for one corner, stuck a board under that corner.
    At the rear the camber doesnt change much with the toe setting, but front does.

    Carless again :(
    #9
    Reddtarga
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    Re:Wheel alignment / Track 2012/06/10 18:34:24 (permalink)
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    Yeah Steve, can't wait for the next 12 hour.
    Could be some interesting teams competing.
     
    nisky, It is great to be able to do this stuff at home if you want to try different settings, and yes you are certaily right about having to be really focused when adjusting the left/right hand thread on the tie rod ends, so you won't go the wrong way. One tip I use is to chalk mark one of the 6 sided flats on the locknut before you loosen it, so you can see how much it has rotated after you re-tighten it. After a while you will learn how much locknut rotation is needed to get a specific amount of toe. Knowing that can save a heap of time in the future.
     
    Another quick way to check toe is to use something like what the workshop manual describes. (see pic.)
    I made a rig that is just a 3x2" piece of timber with 2 arms nailed to each end.
    I set nails sticking out of the top of the arms to mark the tyres. I chalk the tyres to see the marks. 


    post edited by Reddtarga - 2012/06/10 18:47:53

    1990 ADM NA
     
     
     
     
     
     
    #10
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