Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:08 AM |
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Tracking Gauge - DIY n Locost!
Morning All,
A few people have quizzed me over the tracking gauges that I have made. Here are the pics as promised. The Laser angle gauge was about £9 and you then
only require a couple of decent lengths of angle, 2 quick clamps and your wifes vanity case mirror that requires gluing to one of the lengths of
angle.
 
Rescued attachment DSCF0144.JPG
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:08 AM |
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And the next.
 
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:09 AM |
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And the angle finder end.
 
Rescued attachment DSCF0146.JPG
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:09 AM |
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Again!
 
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nitram38
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:15 AM |
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A very simple design, good work!
The only change I would make is to make them touch the rim of the wheel and not the tyre. The tyre walls can be uneven depending on what surface you
are on.
Now I am really going to throw a spanner in, any chance of a 4 wheel setup? 
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:32 AM |
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All that you do is adjust the angle of the laser until it strikes back through the centre line of the laser. TThen read off the scale what angle the
wheels are at. It is fine for a couple of degrees toe out but anymore and you need to mount the laser on the other side to get an accurate reading as
the scale is only 90 degrees.
Steve
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:34 AM |
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I tracked up my mates Robin the other day and got it spot on!
This system works on the rear wheels as well just have to reverse the reading. if you point the gauges backwards.
I will have a think about a 4 wheel setup. I also wanted to try making it measure to the cars centre line so that the wheels can be accurately set to
the car rather than to each other.
Steve
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markal
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:43 AM |
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Diy tracking gauges
Thanks Howlor, worth waiting for.
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 08:52 AM |
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I did make a modification yesterday by adding a 100mm high back plate mounted behind the laser. I then drew a vertical line down it through the laser
centre line. It makes it a little easier to see when the laser is correctly lined up.
Steve
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John P
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 10:56 AM |
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Your Web Site
Clicked on your www link.
Was too scared to go any further!
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 12:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by John P
Clicked on your www link.
Was too scared to go any further!
Best mention that it's not exactly work safe! (having just found this out at work during lunch...)
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chockymonster
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 01:10 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by John P
Clicked on your www link.
Was too scared to go any further!
Not wrong there!
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 02:53 PM |
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Just clicked it myself! I don't know where that came from. It will have to go!
Steve
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 03:07 PM |
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Let's get back to the wheel alignment tool! Quick! 
Can I clarify what the toe-in or out value really means? If the spec says 1 degree toe-in, is that relative to straight ahead, or to the other
wheel?
David
BTW: Maplins sell that laser angle finder - guess who just bought one! 
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 03:46 PM |
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1 degree toe in is relative to the other wheel not the car. Ideally it would be good to be able to set the mirror side of the gauges along the cars
centre line or at least parellel to this. Then you could adjust each wheel to half a degree toe in. Then as long as you had put your steering wheel
straight in the first place when you drive it should still be straight. My method unfortunately does not centre the steering wheel.
Steve
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 07:16 PM |
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Putting another angle finder on the other wheel gauge and fitting lasers exactly in line with both gauges pointing rewards . You then need a scale
on each rear wheel (at right angles to the wheels) it's then possible to center steering and alignment . The biggest problem would be aligning
the lasers exactly
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Howlor
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| posted on 3/4/06 at 07:35 PM |
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Rusty nuts, any chance of a better explaination as I think you may have the answer. What about a diagram? Does anyone know how 4 wheel alignment
works? What datum points they use?
Thanks,
Steve
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