DIY alignment. What to adjust first?

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MoparMike1974

MoparMike1974

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So I bought all the tools to do a DIY aligment. Never done this before so its going to be a learning experience. I have a general understanding of camber/caster toe etc. My question is where do I start? I was thinking of setting the toe first since its the easiest. Then again, will the toe get all out of wack when I set camber and caster?
Any tips would be appreciated.
 
MoparMike1974 said:
So I bought all the tools to do a DIY aligment. Never done this before so its going to be a learning experience. I have a general understanding of camber/caster toe etc. My question is where do I start? I was thinking of setting the toe first since its the easiest. Then again, will the toe get all out of wack when I set camber and caster?
Any tips would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Caster and camber, then toe.
Caster and camber are pretty much adjusted at the same time since they both involve the same adjusting points.
 
Actually, the manual says to always adjust the ride height first. The ride height affects all of the other settings.
 
mvh said:
Actually, the manual says to always adjust the ride height first. The ride height affects all of the other settings.
Click to expand...
Replacing the front end bushings and pieces on my 65 dart. Is there a standard for ride height? I looked at the settings of the pins before I loosened them so I know where they go back but I wasn’t sure if I was a little under or over if that would matter.
 
Tad said:
Replacing the front end bushings and pieces on my 65 dart. Is there a standard for ride height? I looked at the settings of the pins before I loosened them so I know where they go back but I wasn’t sure if I was a little under or over if that would matter.
Click to expand...

there is a specific way to adjust ride height in the service manual. though most just put it where it looks good :)
 
abodyjoe said:
there is a specific way to adjust ride height in the service manual. though most just put it where it looks good :)
Click to expand...
I have the manual so I’ll make sure to look there prior to adjusting it. Thank you
 
here ya go from a 66 Plymouth service manual.

height 1.JPG


height 4.JPG


height 2.JPG


height 3.JPG
 
abodyjoe said:
here ya go from a 66 Plymouth service manual.
Click to expand...
That's the one I remember. And as Joe said, then adjust till it looks good. There's a common sense thing here. You can't sit it on the bump stops at either end of the travel and expect results.
Also, snug the wheel bearings and set the tire pressure. You could even put some weight in the seats to simulate how it's usually driven. Then there's the weight of the gas... I'm stopping now. :D
 
I adjust ride height last. Since camber can have a huge effect on ride height, I want it in the ballpark first.

As to what to do "first" you must decide on what to use as a reference point. On a rear wheel drive vehicle with a solid rear axle, I use the rear wheels and so a simple thrust angle alignment.
 
Make sure your steering wheel is centered, and lock it in place. Nothing worse than finally getting everything perfect and the wheel is cocked over.
 
Remember, ride height affects camber, the same as camber affects ride height. So if you adjust ride height "last" , you need to go back and check the camber.
 
I didnt think to check the manual. I printed out the pages from my 73 chassis manual.
I already have the ride height set. So will start with camber/caster and when im done I will recheck the ride height per the service manual.
 
97530DBC-B56F-43C4-9254-674C558406E5.jpeg
Getting closer to doing that alignment. A arms and spindles cleaned up and painted and new bushings. Now to drop the lower control arms.
 
Make sure you don't jack up the car before, or during, the alignment. My Dart kept changing settings, until I realized the car needed to settle.
 
Ride height first, tow last!
 
Camber before caster and ride height FIRST, BUT for the camber/caster start with the front cam all the way out and the rear all the way in. Adjust the rear until you have 1/2 degree negative camber. That will be the most caster you can get from that car with those parts. After all of that is adjusted and you check the caster set the toe to about 1/16-1/8" toe in.
 
Get the ride height correct first, get all the caster you can while keeping the camber near zero, or a little negative if you have to, in order to get the caster higher.
Front cams will usually be maxed outward for positive camber, and rear cams will be allowing the arms to be inward maximizing caster and bringing the camber down.
Set the steering wheel where you like and set toe till it’s in line with rear axle, while on the ground.
Recheck ride height, as it settles.
It’s roughed in now, maybe take it to a reputable alignment shop for the final fine tuning.
 
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