Suspension Performance Modifications Post Suspension related modification information and/or questions here

Need advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #1  
7thgenshifter's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
7thgenshifter is an unknown quantity at this point
Exclamation Need advice

i HAve and 03 civic and got a new spindle on my right arm. now i need to do the alinment on the front cause its pulling hard to the right . HOW DO U ADJUST CAMBER ON THE FRONT TIRES DO U NEED A CAMBER KIT? IF SO WHICH ONE? i just dont wana pay a shop to do it its to expensive.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #2  
MindBomber's Avatar
Live for the Twisties
Administrator
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 5
From: Langley, BC
Rep Power: 284
MindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud of
Re: Need advice

To do an alignment properly and with any degree of effectives the car needs to be on an alignment rack, take it to a shop.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #3  
7thgenshifter's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
7thgenshifter is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Need advice

so ur telling me theres no way to do it urself? how much does alinment cost is there no tool to buy i want to be able to align my cars for life and not pay a shop every time. what the cost around theses days?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #4  
MindBomber's Avatar
Live for the Twisties
Administrator
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 5
From: Langley, BC
Rep Power: 284
MindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud of
Re: Need advice

It's around $50 a wheel.

You could get a very rough approximation of a proper alignment adjusting bolts, but it wouldn't be worthwhile because it would still be bad enough that you burn through tires. Go get an alignment done and when you see whats involved you'll understand why you can't just DIY and eyeball it.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #5  
7thgenshifter's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
7thgenshifter is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Need advice

ty ill go im just stubbron tanx mang
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #6  
gearbox's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 811
gearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Need advice

the alignment machine costs $10k+
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #7  
Too Tall's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California, USA
Rep Power: 187
Too Tall will become famous soon enoughToo Tall will become famous soon enough
Re: Need advice

If you replaced the spindle yourself, you should have the mechanical experience to align it yourself. It will be a lot of work, but it may cost next nothing.

Park the car on level pavement. Keep in mind the street has a crown in it. Adjust air pressure to your preference. Eye ball the front tire just to see if it is far enough out to see.

Center the steering wheel and measure from one front tire to the other at the front and rear of the tires. That will tell you toe in. If the one tire is pointing straight with the steering wheel straight, adjust the other tire.

You can then measure chamber by placing a bubble level vertically against the tire. Compare to the other front tire.

That will get you as close as possible by eyeball and measuring what you can.

If it is close enough to drive safely, drive it long enough to get the tire hot. Park it and immediately pour water over the tire tread. Watch how the water evaporates. The hot part of the tread will dry out faster. Those parts of the tread will wear faster, and tell you how to adjust the alignment.

If the outer or inner edge of the tread drys out first, adjust chamber to take weight off the side of the tire that dried out first.

If you get a water drying pattern of feathering, you need to adjust the toe in. Most tire and auto part stores have a pad on the counter that has pictures of various types of tire wear.

It may take several tries to get it really close. If you get good tire wear patterns, your alignment is good. It is actually a good learning exercise, you will develop a good understanding of suspension components.

For the record, I have done this on my rear drive cars. I have not done it on a front drive car. The older I get, the easier it is to pay and get it done by a shop.

Last edited by Too Tall; Mar 27, 2011 at 10:39 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #8  
MindBomber's Avatar
Live for the Twisties
Administrator
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 5
From: Langley, BC
Rep Power: 284
MindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud ofMindBomber has much to be proud of
Re: Need advice

^Interesting tips, have you done your own alignments using these methods in the past?

If so, how good were the results compared to pro-alignments?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011
  #9  
Too Tall's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California, USA
Rep Power: 187
Too Tall will become famous soon enoughToo Tall will become famous soon enough
Re: Need advice

If so, how good were the results compared to pro-alignments?
Sometimes better, at least better than the worst alignments. Not easy, but cheap if you have the tools and experience.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011
  #10  
sdaidoji's Avatar
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15,174
Likes: 1,605
From: TN
Rep Power: 366
sdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud of
Re: Need advice

for easier adjustment, use plates with grease in between under the tires so you can change the alignment with the car on the ground.
To OP, pulling to one side is more likely toe, not camber
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011
  #11  
BlueEM2's Avatar
Whachya lookin at?
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 13
From: Canada
Rep Power: 313
BlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Need advice

You can always do a huge burnout in your driveway and then pour the water on Good tips on the self alignment. I've heard of people drawing chalklines along their car and other stuff too but not totally sure how that works.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011
  #12  
Too Tall's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California, USA
Rep Power: 187
Too Tall will become famous soon enoughToo Tall will become famous soon enough
Re: Need advice

for easier adjustment, use plates with grease in between under the tires so you can change the alignment with the car on the ground.
To OP, pulling to one side is more likely toe, not camber
I agree toe is more likely to cause pulling to one side.

My explanation is brief, skipped a lot of details. You should have the wheels off the ground when making some of the adjustments, especially chamber.

I suppose the chalk lines are used a reference points.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011
  #13  
sdaidoji's Avatar
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15,174
Likes: 1,605
From: TN
Rep Power: 366
sdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud of
Re: Need advice

I still prefer to use steel plates with grease in between - they will move enough to do the job at ride height, especially the rears with the huge camber angle changes during the stroke.
Naturally, you can do it lifting the car, but you would need to measure the angles at rest, then check the angles when lifted and then change them, then remasure when you put it back in the ground.

Not saying against, just that this works easier and slightly more accurate. consider this comment as adding to yours
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011
  #14  
2005civiclx's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: San Marcos/Killeen, Texas
Rep Power: 201
2005civiclx is a jewel in the rough2005civiclx is a jewel in the rough2005civiclx is a jewel in the rough
Re: Need advice

to the op an alignment at sears is 60 dollars and you get a warranty for a couple of months and they work on lowered cars. (well the one in my city does) so its not that expensive and like what mindbomber said watch what they do and you really will realize that paying is better than trying to do it yourself on this one.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011
  #15  
sdaidoji's Avatar
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15,174
Likes: 1,605
From: TN
Rep Power: 366
sdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud of
Re: Need advice

yeah, i know what i am doing so can adjust the alignment - unfortunately i don't have a flat surface back home to work on, so lots of adjustments...
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2011
  #16  
7thgenshifter's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
7thgenshifter is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Need advice

tx mang good advice ill let u know if it works
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2011
  #17  
BlueEM2's Avatar
Whachya lookin at?
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 13
From: Canada
Rep Power: 313
BlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond reputeBlueEM2 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Need advice

Originally Posted by gearbox
the alignment machine costs $10k+
I must have missed this when I read through this thread but I gotta say LOL
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tyler93
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
6
Mar 20, 2016 09:03 PM
2002ExCivic
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
22
Sep 28, 2015 08:29 AM
PunX
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
4
Sep 23, 2015 10:45 PM
sf3r8z
Wheels, Tires & Brakes Modifications
5
Sep 23, 2015 03:26 PM
bhollie
Wheels, Tires & Brakes Modifications
5
Sep 22, 2015 11:08 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:40 AM.