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#1
10-18-2005, 10:27 PM
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wheel alignment DIY
Wheel alignment DIY
............................................. :EDIT: I have been working on this for years. Technology and equipment cost keep changing. As some members have noted, I am busy, and other projects frequently have a higher priority. :EDIT: Links to other DIY alignment data DIY Wheel Alignment Video's DIY Wheel Alignment Video's Everything Auto: DIY Wheel Alignment http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60130 DIY 4 Wheel Alignment http://www.elantragtclub.com/id554.html DIY Alignment With A Few Basic Tools And The Know-How Shared Here, You'll Never Again Be At The Mercy Of An Alignment Shop http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/chassis/hrdp_0411_wheel_alignment_guide/index.html ............................................. LEGAL Disclaimer: Warning, Danger. As with all automotive work, there is risk of vehicle falling, rolling, or causing injury, observe proper safety precautions. READ: BEFORE TRYING TO USE THIS DIY This Do It Yourself ("DIY") is designed to provide you with general guidelines and theoretical information on how you may be able to adjust the alignment of a vehicle. Before undertaking any DIY project, or using any particular product in a DIY project, you must still independently evaluate the suitability of any products, materials or advice for your particular project. The guidelines and advice provided in this DIY is not a substitute for design, engineering, testing or common sense. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DIY IS COMPLETE OR APPROPRIATE FOR ANY PARTICULAR APPLICATION OR USE. THE MATERIAL AND INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" OR "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, AND YOUR USE OF SUCH INFORMATION IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES YOU MAY SUFFER AS A RESULT OF USING THE INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES PROVIDED IN THIS DIY. Many people think that wheel alignments can only be done by professional mechanics. You can DIY wheel alignment at home, with the right tools, patience and practice. Be sure to take a break if you get frustrated. Understanding the alignment process will help you on any future diagnosis of suspension or steering problems. ************************************************ Wheel alignment may be out of adjustment if: #1A. Irregular tire wear is apparent. #2A. Vehicle is pulling to one side. #3A. Road hazard damage occurred. = Curb or pothole impact, followed by sudden vehicle handling characteristic alteration. #4A. The steering wheel is crooked while driving straight on a level road. Vibration is NOT a direct alignment issue, though irregular tire wear can cause tire balance and/or shifted belt issues, and road hazard damage = curb or pothole impact can wreck wheel rim and/or tire. Setting up for alignment, or Pre-Wheel Alignment VEHICLE INSPECTION: The inspection performed prior to checking and adjusting the wheel alignment angles is critical to the alignment procedure. Failure to detect and repair problems before you attempt to align the vehicle will result in FALSE wheel alignment angle measurements = wasting your time and energy. Check for: #A. Correct tire pressure. #B. Correct tire size. #C. Safe tire condition = no bald areas, shifted belts, age cracking; good tread depth, and no road hazard damage. #D. Wheel rim damage. #E. Structural rust = not safe to lift or support the vehicle. #F. Bad sway bar mounts + links, front and rear. #G. Bad differential mount. #H. Bad sub frame mounts. #I. Bad wheel bearings = check the wheel/tire assemblies for excessive radial run out. #J. Dragging or binding calipers. #K. Play in the lower ball joints = support the lower control arm, carefully use a pry bar between the lower knuckle joint and lower control arm, you are trying to lift the knuckle with a rocking motion to detect ball joint play. #L. Play in the upper ball joints = support the lower control arm, carefully use a pry bar between knuckle and upper control arm, you are trying to lift the upper control arm with a rocking motion to detect ball joint play. #M. Tie rod ends, for excessive play, binding, wear or damage = large channel lock pliers and a pry bar are needed to compress and manipulate each joint. #N. Suspension fasteners, broken or loose fasteners pose a clear danger. #O. Suspension component bushings = look for signs of wear and/or deterioration. #P. Ride height of the vehicle (specifications are listed in the service manual), if the ride height is not within specifications, check for excessive weight in the vehicle, one or more worn or broken coil springs, tire size, damaged trailing arms. #Q. Full fuel tank, a tank that is less than full will change the ride height of the vehicle. #R. Any items from the passenger compartment and trunk that are not factory equipment, and remove. ************************************************ The work area floor must be measured to make sure that the turntables and slip plates are level to each other; this is required because you will be using bubble gauges as measuring devices = false reading if all four wheels are not at the same level and on turntables or slip plates. A pair of laser levels will speed the work of leveling the turntables. IMPORTANT: All of the brakes must be locked otherwise the wheels will roll on the turntables/slip plates, giving incorrect measurements. A piece of wood jammed between the front seat and the brake pedal will work.
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ASE Master Mechanic asemastermechanic@juno.com Prototype R&D/testing: Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician. Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH). Dynamometer. Heat exchanger durability. HV-A/C Climate Control. Vehicle build. Fleet Durability Technical Quality Auditor. Automotive Technical Writer 1985 300SD 1983 300D 1984 190D 2003 Volvo V70 2002 Honda Civic https://www.boldegoist.com/ Last edited by whunter; 02-04-2010 at 04:52 AM. 
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#2
10-18-2005, 11:55 PM
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All those "tools" come in at $4,952.00, I could have the stealer align my car three times a year for a decade for that amount of money.
  Not to mention all the free coffee and cookies I'd get out of all those visits....
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-  '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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#3
11-21-2005, 09:15 PM
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Major changes
Major changes due to new equipment available at a cheap price.
 I am getting this equipment to test cheap high quality home alignment. http://www.strait-line.com/irwin/consumer/straitline/jhtml/index.jhtml?source=google_ET
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#4
11-22-2005, 11:12 AM
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Question,
What do the "sub frame" mounts exactly do on an MB and how do they relate to wheel allignment? Thanks
__________________
Adriano 83 300SD 500,300 miles (Well seasoned work horse AKA "Put Put") 93 300D 245,000 miles (Moms Baby AKA "Sweat Pea") 87 300D 185,000 miles (Life giver, aka parts car for my 300SD)
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#5
11-22-2005, 11:19 AM
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Rear subframe mounts will affect the rear wheel alignment. This is where the rear subframe mounts to the body.
It is so much simplier on a VW Beetle.
__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions) '08 Chevy Tahoe '93 Ducati 900 SS '79 Kawasaki KZ 650 '86 Kawasaki KX 250 '88 Kawasaki KDX200 '71 Hodaka Ace 100 '72 Triumph T100R
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#6
11-22-2005, 07:20 PM
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look at the picture
look at the picture, think of how angles would change with bad subframe bushings.
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#7
11-26-2005, 01:49 PM
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Got it. Thanks Hunter for the picture and explanation
__________________
Adriano 83 300SD 500,300 miles (Well seasoned work horse AKA "Put Put") 93 300D 245,000 miles (Moms Baby AKA "Sweat Pea") 87 300D 185,000 miles (Life giver, aka parts car for my 300SD)
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#8
01-12-2006, 08:30 PM
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Hello all,
I was wondering, what is normal tire wear that you can expect to see that an alignment or parts replacement would not necessarily fix. Like is it normal for an outer edge or inner edge to wear faster on these cars? Danny
__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles OBK member #23 (\__/) (='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your (")_(") signature to help him gain world domination
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#9
01-12-2006, 08:51 PM
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Answer:
Quote:
http://www.procarcare.com/includes/content/resourcecenter/encyclopedia/ch25/25readtirewear.html Tires Always Tell a Story http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf110230.htm A Short Course on Wheel Alignment http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm The Tire Life: A tire expert offers the best ways to extend tire life http://driversmag.com/trucks_gear/fleet_tire_life_tire/
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#10
01-12-2006, 10:27 PM
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Roy, take this one over to the new fourm. Fits in perfectly.
__________________
Adam Lumsden (83) 300D Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section
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#11
01-13-2006, 09:09 AM
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Quote:
I was refering to what is being discussed in this thread here: W123 Front Negative Camber?? What I was wondering is; Is it possible to remove all camber/wear on these vehicles or is a little wear ineviteable? Thanks Danny
__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles OBK member #23 (\__/) (='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your (")_(") signature to help him gain world domination
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#12
01-13-2006, 10:34 AM
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Hmmm. being able to align the car with tools from Home Depot. I like it.
__________________
1981 300D 147k 1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k 1979 300D 234k (sold) 1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold) Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair 
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#13
01-13-2006, 06:16 PM
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Yes it is possible, but total steering suspension must be perfect.
Quote:
Camber wear is not normal or inevitable on these vehicles. It is a sign of problems. The most common issue is bad body ride height. Here is a potentially dangerous (easily overlooked) issue. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/body-repair-restoration/220623-1985-300sd-rr-trailing-arm-rust-pictures.html rear trailing arm broke Replacement Trailing Arm Rust battle #434 Rear Control Arm ======================================== Trailing Arm Bushing W126 1985 300SD DIY http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W126RearShocksSprings Sub Frame - Trailing Arm Bushings W126 complete rear suspension rebuild DIY Rear sub frame Bushings W126 1985 300SD DIY http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/266324-w123-wagon-rear-trailing-arm-bushings-r-r.html Steering squirrelly W126 . Last edited by whunter; 03-31-2013 at 05:33 PM.
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#14
02-20-2006, 11:12 PM
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Still working on this DIY in my (laughter) spare time.
Still working on this DIY in my (laughter) spare time.
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#15
02-21-2006, 12:47 PM
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Doesn't sound like a good "DIY" move
I had my W123 aligned yesterday at a small alignment shop. Used a "Hunter" alignment rack which was all computerized and charged me $35.00. And that was the price posted on the wall in the customer lounge. Well worth it, and the fine alignment even allowed for a slightly better time in my standard 15 second acceleration run. Good luck if your going to DIY your alignment. I have more worthwhile projects in mind.
__________________
Junqueyardjim Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis 1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA 2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage, Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!
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