Guys
Has anyone tried using the DIY method for wheel alignment as described in the Lotus Workshop manual? This is the one where you use two straight bars and measure the difference between front and rear of the wheel rim.
Looks straightforward in principle but guess it will come down to.
A/ Getting 2 suitably straight bars
B/ Being able to suspend the bars at the right height
C/ Being able to position the bars perfectly parallel around the outside of the car
D/ Being able to measure within 1mm the difference between the front and rear of each wheel rim
All possible but quite tricky. However if achieved would mean endless fun hours of tinkering to get it just so.
Just a bit disappointed with the recent two attempts at 4 wheel "laser" geometry setup which has failed to get my steering wheel in the straight ahead position when actually driving in a straight line.
Cheers
James
DIY Wheel alignment
- alicrozier
- Posts: 4388
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:58 pm
- Location: Aberdeen
Re: DIY Wheel alignment
Yep basically you need to achieve 2 parallel references up the sides of the car.
Optimum method/£/ time we found was 2 lengths of copper pipe zip tied/gaffa to the front and rear of the car. Fishing line front to back at measured width on the bars to form the reference box.
That way it all moves with the car an you're not constantly setting up.
I have bars and wire in my garage.
Optimum method/£/ time we found was 2 lengths of copper pipe zip tied/gaffa to the front and rear of the car. Fishing line front to back at measured width on the bars to form the reference box.
That way it all moves with the car an you're not constantly setting up.
I have bars and wire in my garage.
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Any references to laptimes, speed or driving on the public highway are purely for dramatic effect.
Any references to laptimes, speed or driving on the public highway are purely for dramatic effect.
Re: DIY Wheel alignment
The laser setups are unfortunately only as good as the person using them.
CLCM in Bankhead, Edinburgh are the usual port of call for any of these threads. Willie has a lot of knowledge and has been doing it for many years now.
I now use my local indy, who i've been using for mechanical stuff and MOTs all my driving life. Last year he had some top spec Hunter gear fitted - a huge investment for a 1 man band like himself He doesn't have the long term experience of CLCM, but he knows how to use it and has a "do it right" mentality that keeps me going back.
Paul Bowers Motors, Clepington St, Dundee.
I've seen many a person in there saying that others with similar gear have failed - that's when I noted that Arnold Clark fitted laser gear in all executive German brand dealerships recently too...
CLCM in Bankhead, Edinburgh are the usual port of call for any of these threads. Willie has a lot of knowledge and has been doing it for many years now.
I now use my local indy, who i've been using for mechanical stuff and MOTs all my driving life. Last year he had some top spec Hunter gear fitted - a huge investment for a 1 man band like himself He doesn't have the long term experience of CLCM, but he knows how to use it and has a "do it right" mentality that keeps me going back.
Paul Bowers Motors, Clepington St, Dundee.
I've seen many a person in there saying that others with similar gear have failed - that's when I noted that Arnold Clark fitted laser gear in all executive German brand dealerships recently too...
'16 MINI Cooper S - Family fun hatch
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike
Re: DIY Wheel alignment
Willie has retired, the guy who took over the business gets mixed reviews. MMC are now using Redpath Tyres in South Gyle Crescent.Corranga wrote:CLCM in Bankhead, Edinburgh are the usual port of call for any of these threads. Willie has a lot of knowledge and has been doing it for many years now.
2018 Lotus Exige Sport (metallic grey)
2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (rebel blue)
2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (rebel blue)
Re: DIY Wheel alignment
Oops. It has been 5 or 6 years since I was there right enough..Dark wrote:Willie has retired, the guy who took over the business gets mixed reviews. MMC are now using Redpath Tyres in South Gyle Crescent.Corranga wrote:CLCM in Bankhead, Edinburgh are the usual port of call for any of these threads. Willie has a lot of knowledge and has been doing it for many years now.
'16 MINI Cooper S - Family fun hatch
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike