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So I've recently replaced my upper control arms and lubricated my lower control arms. I'd like to check the wheel alignment to see if it's still OK. I just don't want to pay some dick to do it.

From what I understand on a stock 99 Civic there is no camber/caster adjustment unless there's damaged suspension components that need replacing. Tow adjustment is measure (with the wheels straight) the distance between tires front and back...split the difference and adjust the tie rod ends accordingly. Correct?

This is straight out of the FSM....

 
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I think it is best done on a floating type floor. 2 sheets of metal with grease in between them to allow the wheels to move freely. It's not needed but better for accuracy.

 
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correct. also, since toe changes with the height of the suspension, the above mentioned method is best. suspension compressed is the measure to take.

 
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Got a tire scribe and toe pointers?

 
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Meh, I was just wondering how feasible it was to do it myself. There aren't very many honest places to take my car around here. The last time I gave my car to someone they threatened not to release it to me because it wasn't safe to be driven. So I try to do as much myself as I can.

I've done a bunch of research and it definitely is possible...tedious and time consuming though.

 
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If you know how, you can do it. You might need to build your own equipment though.


When I was 16, I was doing scribe and tape measure toe adjustments.....and using a carpenters level for camber checks...in the driveway at home.



The first real shop I worked in had a scribe and a real toe pointer when I started there.
Later on the shop bought some real alignment equipment. The equipment used strings and bubble levels, tables and slip plates. All operated by hand and brain, meaning we had to KNOW principles of alignment.

Damn kids these days. The alignment machines are designed to let any knuckle dragging monkey be an alignment specialist without ever having to know a damn thing about WHY, and they can't even begin to solve problems the machine can't see.





This year the dealer bought a nice Hunter setup (update to replace a machine running windows 98)....this one can literally be setup (the heads mounted on the wheels) in 90 seconds or less, ready to start. At the 4 minute mark, I can have my initial readings taken and be ready to adjust whatever needs adjusted.



And the same knuckle dragging monkeys can ruin alignments even faster now!

 
Rep Power: 366

if you have a good surface to work on, nothing beats this kit - the cheapest made one (no kidding - most other kits runs about 2.5k...)
http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...4%20LUG%2012MM

worthwhile if you have several cars.

 
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OO0oh that looks cool.

 
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Yeah, those are cool.