DIY Alignment 07 Tahoe 4WD

[B-train]

That is an awesome setup! Thanks for sharing. I like the folded plastic sheeting for the toe adjustment.

 

[Trey Hardy]

thats not the only hard wood in this thread



"atleast this side isnt as fugged up as the other side..."

Passenger side was straight just about driver side was fuked up lol toed way out

 

[89Suburban]

Passenger side was straight just about driver side was fuked up lol toed way out

I would think with the lift you have and the large wheel diameters you could run 2 tape measures directly across the rim spokes and use that as a measurement.

 

[Trey Hardy]

I would think with the lift you have and the large wheel diameters you could run 2 tape measures directly across the rim spokes and use that as a measurement.

I haven’t thought about that I do have 2” spacers up front also though
I got the driver side pretty straight before I drove it to the shop but I never messed with the camber again those dirt king cam plates are a ***** to adjust but once their dialed in good their awesome but my normal alignment guy hates them lol

 

[89Suburban]

I haven’t thought about that I do have 2” spacers up front also though
I got the driver side pretty straight before I drove it to the shop but I never messed with the camber again those dirt king cam plates are a ***** to adjust but once their dialed in good their awesome but my normal alignment guy hates them lol

How were your other angles? Did he give you a print out?

 

[Trey Hardy]

How were your other angles? Did he give you a print out?

I’m picking her up after lunch

 

[89Suburban]

@1:19:15 NASCAR checking front to rear toe with a straight edge in the pit stall

 

[89Suburban]

 

[89Suburban]

 

[89Suburban]

 

[lspann3525]

I should of been done this after I installing my Detriot axle rack and pinion installing the tie rods by counting the threads was a nightmare and had my truck dog walking the tires. Didnt think the alignment shop would alignment my truck with a damaged control arm so I Replaced my driver side upper control arm and set the camber by eye.

I ordered the camber gauge after 2 weeks I finally used it to set the camber to +0.5 . After setting my camber on the driver side. I used two cement blocks and some string and adjust the tie rods on both sides... to be truthful I had been trying to eyeball the toe in and out and the wheels would start to wear and look a little funny after a week. After getting some patients I finally used the string method while making sure the wheel stayed straight and measured both sides using a ruler. Im pretty satisifed with the way the truck drives. Big ups to this thread.

 

[89Suburban]

I should of been done this after I installing my Detriot axle rack and pinion installing the tie rods by counting the threads was a nightmare and had my truck dog walking the tires. Didnt think the alignment shop would alignment my truck with a damaged control arm so I Replaced my driver side upper control arm and set the camber by eye.

I ordered the camber gauge after 2 weeks I finally used it to set the camber to +0.5 . After setting my camber on the driver side. I used two cement blocks and some string and adjust the tie rods on both sides... to be truthful I had been trying to eyeball the toe in and out and the wheels would start to wear and look a little funny after a week. After getting some patients I finally used the string method while making sure the wheel stayed straight and measured both sides using a ruler. Im pretty satisifed with the way the truck drives. Big ups to this thread.

If you can buy or make a set of those tire plates that really makes a HUGE difference with the toe adjustment. Puts you right on the money if you do it right.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

If you can buy or make a set of those tire plates that really makes a HUGE difference with the toe adjustment. Puts you right on the money if you do it right.

That's good to know! The design was SUPER simple when I saw them for sale. That said I tried the string method using axle stands years ago and was a royal PITA. I thought I had a thrust issue that time though so I did that. I don't know I'd try the string method again unless I had some premade fixtures but don't want to buy that stuff.

Great to know the toe plates work well. I'll make a set!

 

[89Suburban]

That's good to know! The design was SUPER simple when I saw them for sale. That said I tried the string method using axle stands years ago and was a royal PITA. I thought I had a thrust issue that time though so I did that. I don't know I'd try the string method again unless I had some premade fixtures but don't want to buy that stuff.

Great to know the toe plates work well. I'll make a set!

I use a tool to hold the steering wheel centered. Then I string line the d/s front to the rear for a rough base adjustment. Then I use the toe plates to square things up in the front.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

I use a tool to hold the steering wheel centered. Then I string line the d/s front to the rear for a rough base adjustment. Then I use the toe plates to square things up in the front.

That's a good process! I was trying to put two strings up.

 

[lspann3525]

If you aint got the dough like me wrapping the seatbelt around the steering wheel will work .

I found some plywood wood laying around im constructing some toe in plates at this moment. Just need to cut a little notch for the tape measures. Hopefully they will work lol

 

[89Suburban]

If you aint got the dough like me wrapping the seatbelt around the steering wheel will work .

I found some plywood wood laying around im constructing some toe in plates at this moment. Just need to cut a little notch for the tape measures. Hopefully they will work lol

And notch out a spot at the bottom for the tire bulge.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

I should note, for caster, I spun the wheel one turn each way. The caster spec should be a 20 Degrees one way versus other way (delta of 40 Degrees). I found at one turn of the wheel right then left it was very close to the shop's measurement. I then used one turn as approximately equivalent to 20 degrees. I believe / is my opinion you just need a repeatable practice. If you turn the wheel further you'll get slightly more caster in your measurement. Either way, worked like a champ for me. For turn plates, I just put used motor oil under the wheels. Pretty ghetto but seemed to do the trick.

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

 

[89Suburban]

I should note, for caster, I spun the wheel one turn each way. The caster spec should be a 20 Degrees one way versus other way (delta of 40 Degrees). I found at one turn of the wheel right then left it was very close to the shop's measurement. I then used one turn as approximately equivalent to 20 degrees. I believe / is my opinion you just need a repeatable practice. If you turn the wheel further you'll get slightly more caster in your measurement. Either way, worked like a champ for me. For turn plates, I just put used motor oil under the wheels. Pretty ghetto but seemed to do the trick.

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Good job. We are that anti-alignment shop posse.

 

[exp500]

What I use instead of string is 2 ea. 3/4x2x20 sq tube, 4 ea. 3/4x2x4, 6ea 8x8x12 blocks. gets above tire swell for a nice straight line. The 3/4x4 sq tube is for marking the angles when wheels turned, and for toe. Digital magnetic angle guage. Sets up fast, works on most depending on block fit. Sometimes have to have a few 3/4 tubes for spacers. After getting used to it accuracy is about1/16 repeatable. Bearing/Grease plates a good addition, but don't use one with a centerpin because too hard to find true center and it changes with adjustments. Using 12x12x063 hard stainless x4ea. Questions?