wheel clamp for alignment

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bigaadams

bigaadams

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anyone here doing their own alignment even if just to dial it in for to carry to the alignment shop? I ask because I am in the market for a wheel clamp for the caster/camber gauge and was wanting to know who has had success with what model and the method it is held to the wheel. I am thinking steel wheel have inside pegs you put on for them and the aluminum wheels will use outside pegs to clamp on to the wheel but there seems to be no techie specs with their brochure. Thanks....my gauge is a Longacre with 5/16 thread and also magnetic mount so can use either style clamp, mag or threaded lug. Yes I have Hunter turn tables and rear leveler blocks to use in conjunction with the turn tables.
 
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I don't know, seems to me you could fab one as accurate as they make. I would much prefer spindle mount to wheel mount, you then eliminate wheel runout

Since I had alloy wheels and will again, this is a problem. I've even thought about a special nut to replace the spindle but while aligning.......either take a spare nut and braze a piece to that, then turn it true, or use some stock and thread to the spindle thread. This would give you an extended hub to mount the gauge.

(Mine is an old Ammco magnetic)
 
A level on the tire will get your camber close and a string or tape measure will get your toe in close. Those are the two tire wearing angles. Get a full 4 wheel alignment. Although the rear isn't adjustable the thrust angle is important. Unless you have a long distance to travel to your alighment shop you should be ok. Just make sure everything is tight.
 
fklskv said:
Caster chamber gauges are magnetized and adhere to the hub and not the wheels.
Click to expand...

while many are commonly set up for magnetic base for the hub they also are adaptable for various size spindle threads and bolt/magnetic wheel adapters (clamps) I have my eye on a clamp but the company has not yet answered my question. It will fit 13 to 24 inch wheels if I recall, supposedly both steel and aluminum.

the gauges they have out there now are pretty adaptable however...Mopar is not on their list that I have seen....thus the question concerning use of the wheel clamp...

Thanks
 
I have this Longacre setup. It works good. It needs bungees to hold it against the rim cause you tend to bump it working on a garage floor making adjustments. The rim clamps are aluminum so we put tape to protect a painted rim. You can buy plastic coated clamps.

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I start out the alignment like in the picture below and bring the rear adjuster out for desired camber you want. That will give you max caster for that side. Then do the same for the other side.

Note the smaller positive caster measurement between the two sides. Now, lower the higher caster side to match the lower side. You will need to bring the front cam adjuster inward to maintain your desired camber number. This probably will take some going back and forth to hit your target caster and camber numbers.

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More info here:

Need Info From Guys That Do Their Own Alignment
 
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pulled the trigger on a set of 4 Hunter wheel clamps.....will see what I got when they get here.....
 
Late to the game I know, I use this one from SPC. Seems to work pretty well! I think Peter Bergman sells them as well, but he doesn't have them listed on his site.

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/sps-91000


fklskv said:
Caster chamber gauges are magnetized and adhere to the hub and not the wheels.
Click to expand...

Doesn't do any good if the hub is aluminum too. Or doesn't protrude through the rim. I like the hub mounted magnetic gauges better, but they don't work on my Duster (aluminum hubs) or my Challenger (hub recessed in the wheel bore).
 
72bluNblu said:
Late to the game I know, I use this one from SPC. Seems to work pretty well! I think Peter Bergman sells them as well, but he doesn't have them listed on his site.

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/sps-91000




Doesn't do any good if the hub is aluminum too. Or doesn't protrude through the rim. I like the hub mounted magnetic gauges better, but they don't work on my Duster (aluminum hubs) or my Challenger (hub recessed in the wheel bore).
Click to expand...

I have that one also with the toe adapter kit and it works well except I have to wrap a long bungee around the wheel to keep it in place.
 
thanks for that feedback...

I sent a inquiry to this effect to one supplier...they evidently did not understand the question of how it locks into place for use...their reply was simply I could buy it at X dealer...then they forward my name and address to a retailer....bad move....!!

These posted to me this morning per my e-mail message.....will know soon what I got...
 
a bit of an update....built a toe gauge, bought some 5/8 bolts, carried them out o my little machine shop to cut the shanks to the right size, cut the bolt head flat, drilled so to tap, drilled and countersunk some 1/4 round steel discs so the magnetic caster/camber will attach. Upon assembly, chucked them back up in the lathe for to check run out and they run true. The adapters I modified with some anti marring plastic protectors that will screw in and out if needed.

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bigaadams said:
a bit of an update....built a toe gauge, bought some 5/8 bolts, carried them out o my little machine shop to cut the shanks to the right size, cut the bolt head flat, drilled so to tap, drilled and countersunk some 1/4 round steel discs so the magnetic caster/camber will attach. Upon assembly, chucked them back up in the lathe for to check run out and they run true. The adapters I modified with some anti marring plastic protectors that will screw in and out if needed.

View attachment 1715081846

View attachment 1715081847

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Click to expand...

Nice attachment mods! cool toe guage .

Did you buy those rims clamps new or used? I'd think hunter ones would be pretty pricey New?
 
Nice set up!

I was using my SPC gauge to reset my alignment today. Mine seems to stay put just fine as long as I don't kick it when I'm making adjustments.

I know those Hunter clamps were more than my SPC gauge. New anyway. I have a magnetic gauge and bought the SPC gauge anyway because it was the cheapest/easiest way to get it done. I still have a magnetic gauge for my cars with steel hubs though.
 
I found the Hunter clamps used and bought them on a "make offer". They are in great shape, very affordable. My Hunter turn tables are not shown but got these a bit back. Advertised a wanted ad locally and after about a year, I got a call from a local who said 100.00 bucks and they yours...how do you pass this up? Been slowly putting my stuff together. My son bought me a nice caster/camber gauge for my birthday, same model they used at the shop where he was working at the time. Slowly getting set up.....
 
as a note to others...IF you can locate the Hunter tech rep through say your alignment shop, you may be able to buy these adapters reasonable from him. Many wheel sizes are now hovering the 20" and up range and so they need to be always upgrading equipment. Many of us will never install wheels this large (hopefully) on the cars of the era this forum caters. The above adapters are good from 10" through 18" diameter...I will first use them on a set of 12 inch wheels on an English car I just put new R&P boots on. At this time my largest wheel on my more modern vehicles max out at 18". They do make extenders for this model to extend the range of wheel diameter..so not see a need for this at this time however.
 
oops, big snafu.....got 4 more of the Hunter wheel adapters dropped off by UPS tonight.....got get these back to the seller..
I assembled and trued the other plates today.
:eek:
 
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