Quote:
Originally Posted by HemiChallenger71
I use string to get vehicles close before driving to alignment shop. Piece of string from front to rear tires and set toe on both sizes with the steering wheel locked.
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There's a lot to be said for aligning using a string. Properly used, it can begin by setting front end into synch with rear. Applying several procedures with string can yield a great, nearly 4-wheel alignment. If 1 setting may come up a bit short, it would be caster; but setting caster after lowering and adding pwr steering needs to be trial'ed & error'd to get best "feel" anyway--all in my opinion, of course.
Using string methods, by my front-end specialist friend with my tad of contribution, made my '66 drive superbly. Put on a machine later & found our best-feel setting on caster was close to 1987 specs--much more + caster we ended with resulted in greater road-feel: ever added ps & it was just way too easy to turn? Other settings showed to be quite acceptable. This sold me on accuracy of a piece of twine and a good tape measure.
A good tip, I think, is to use carpenter's string[used in laying out footing for a new building], as it'll pull tighter w/o breaking, thus greater accuracy.
Google should give plenty of insight into this too-often-characterized as a backyard, get-by technique.
Hope others may learn and enjoy this project.
Sam