Recommendations for DIY alignment tools for Toyota with independent rear suspension?

May 11, 2011 3 Replies

Thought I'd give DIY driveway wheel alignment a try. Any recommendations for brands/models of tools? At this time the specific vehicle is an '89 Toyota Cressida.



Any tips, special considerations to be aware of with IRS?



Thanks


IRS? What do they care?

brassplyer wrote in news:711eb34c-8e7f-4173-a90c- snipped-for-privacy@v8g2000yqb.googlegroups.com:

DIY is a bad idea for your car.

These days, alignment begins with establishing the "thrust angle" at the rear wheels, then using that to line-up the fronts according to the rears. You need a jig for that, plus a _GOOD_ alignment man! The man is more important than the machine, no matter how sophisticated the machine.

DIY was acceptable in the days of solid live-axles, but not with IRS.

DON'T even try this one at home. The IRS throws a HUGE wrench into the process and you need a machine to even start the process. Why? You need to know what the rear is set at and what the thrust angle is to begin with. No real way to get those without a machine.

Then you need to adjust the rear thrust angle, caster, camber and get them set, then you do the same on the front. Get it even a bit wrong and you will throw the handling it the toilet and eat tires REAL fast.

What you need to find is a GOOD alignment shop with someone who actually knows alignment. You don't want the guy who just moved over from oil changes to be the guy on the machine.

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