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Tracking Gauge - DIY n Locost!
Howlor - 3/4/06 at 08:08 AM

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
Rescued attachment DSCF0144.JPG


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 08:08 AM

And the next. Rescued attachment DSCF0145.JPG
Rescued attachment DSCF0145.JPG


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 08:09 AM

And the angle finder end. Rescued attachment DSCF0146.JPG
Rescued attachment DSCF0146.JPG


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 08:09 AM

Again! Rescued attachment DSCF0148.JPG
Rescued attachment DSCF0148.JPG


nitram38 - 3/4/06 at 08:15 AM

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?


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 08:32 AM

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


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 08:34 AM

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


markal - 3/4/06 at 08:43 AM

Thanks Howlor, worth waiting for.


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 08:52 AM

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


John P - 3/4/06 at 10:56 AM

Clicked on your www link.

Was too scared to go any further!


MikeRJ - 3/4/06 at 12:37 PM

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...)


chockymonster - 3/4/06 at 01:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by John P
Clicked on your www link.

Was too scared to go any further!


Not wrong there!


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 02:53 PM

Just clicked it myself! I don't know where that came from. It will have to go!

Steve


David Jenkins - 3/4/06 at 03:07 PM

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!


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 03:46 PM

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


rusty nuts - 3/4/06 at 07:16 PM

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


Howlor - 3/4/06 at 07:35 PM

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