DIY alignments?

[chris.miller at infofoundry.com (Miller, Chris)]

I use 12"x12" floor tiles; at least two under each tire (more to
compensate for level as needed).  Spread bearing grease between the top
two tiles to allow them to move relative to each other.  I wouldn't
recommend too much height, as the car can roll off easily as you work.
Loosen the adjustments before you begin and it won't be too hard.

There's a lot of DIY methods on the internet; here's one:
http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/align.html

If you do the alignment is the same spot every time, you can mark the
floor with tape and make the tiles specific to each point.  I used
plywood squares on one end of the car with several tiles, and just a
pair of tiles for each rear tire.

Easy way to check level front to back and corner to corner etc. is with
a water level (long clear tube filled with water; I used a tile with one
of those carpenter's quick squares taped to it, with the tube then taped
to that to measure how much I'd need to make level).

It's not rocket science.  And I'll add; most alignment techs are
_certainly_ not rocket scientists.  I've had more issues with alignments
at shops than I'd care to mention.  It's very easy for a tech to "fudge"
the alignment readout to get near spec and get the car out of there.  If
you DIY you'll be much more careful to reach spec, not just "within
allowable".  Watch them bounce the car a couple times and not do
anything else, yet reach the spec...

The fancy laser cordless alignment machines are not more accurate;
they're just faster (and more prone to setup errors IMO).

-----Original Message-----
Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 06:12:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Anthony Pelletier <vwnuts@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: DIY alignments?
To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
Message-ID: <20050523131225.29305.qmail@web50101.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

A question about home alingment pads.  I am familiar
with the different ways you can measure toe & camber,
but have always had a hard time adjusting camber at
home because you have to jack the car up to make
camber adjustments.  What would be needed to make a
home alingment pad?  Could you just make a pad out of
a few 2x4s as long as they were all level?  I just
need enough so I can sneak under a lowered vw and make
some adjusments.  What do you guys use?

Tony