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Locost digital camber gauge
stevec - 29/11/09 at 12:21 PM

This idea was nicked from another forum and may help folks get a reasonably accurate measurement of camber and may be other angles.

I made a gauge from a piece of angle steel and 2 bolts and spacers, attach to this a magnetic digital angle gauge from fleebay(about £25)
Zero it from a set square on the ground and then put it against the wheel and adjust your car to whatever you want the angle of the dangle to be.

The pics are in my forum photo archive if they dont attach to this thread. sorry about the strage way they look I was holding the camera at a strange angle.
camber1
camber2
camber3
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=camber1.jpg

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=camber2.jpg

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=camber3.jpg


BenB - 29/11/09 at 12:41 PM

Rather than mucking around with the last bit (the metal stick with the studs on) why not just hold it up against the brake disk? Most of those inclinometers have magnets on the base so they'll stick to it nicely as well. And it's more accurate.


Bluemoon - 29/11/09 at 12:46 PM

^^ True but you still need it at the correct ride height, so you will have to figure someway of getting the wishbones at the "correct" angle for the ride height before measuring the camber, without the weight on the suspension... All do able, but possibly more hassle..

Dan


stevec - 29/11/09 at 01:00 PM

I did say "reasonably accurate", I am sure its close enough for a starting point.

I knew the Nitpickers would turn up.


mr henderson - 29/11/09 at 01:05 PM

It looks good to me. Only thing I would like to add is that a good way to level the car before starting is to use those stickon vinyl tiles you can get from Wickes etc, the ones I have are 1mm thick. A water level is good for checking the level, then if I find one side is 5mm lower, I know how many tiles to add to that side.

And, of course, a lot of cars (not Stevec's I notice) the nearest you can get is one full turn of the thread on the top ball joint, so super duper accuracy is a bit irrelevant

[Edited on 29/11/09 by mr henderson]


alistairolsen - 29/11/09 at 01:06 PM

I had one that stuck to the disks, but unless theyre brand new its nutsack anyway and you need a very open wheel design to do it on the floor.

I ended up making up a bar as the OP has, but its critical to check your wheels for run-out with a pointer in a stand and use two points that are the same.


BenB - 29/11/09 at 01:18 PM

Stick it on the back of the disc?


stevec - 29/11/09 at 01:47 PM

Back of the disk sounds good to me.
I have drums on the rear of my car so I will need the bar to get an indication of rear camber.

Steve


MikeRJ - 29/11/09 at 02:28 PM

Looks like a nice simple system to me. As always one of the most important things is to work on the most level and flat bit of ground you can find, otherwise the results will be meaningless.


whitestu - 29/11/09 at 02:49 PM

quote:

Stick it on the back of the disc?



That's what I did.

My plan is to make up some bracketry to adapt the angle gauge to measure castor now.


stu


Stu


NeilP - 29/11/09 at 06:13 PM

Nice solution is that Steve - Have to have another go at mine - still not sure they're right...


stevec - 29/11/09 at 11:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by NeilP
Nice solution is that Steve - Have to have another go at mine - still not sure they're right...


You can borrow it any time Neil.
Steve


mad-butcher - 30/11/09 at 04:18 PM

They look remarkably like wozshers wishbones

tony


stevec - 1/12/09 at 08:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mad-butcher
They look remarkably like wozshers wishbones

tony


Certainly are, and what a improvement.
Steve