Do people do alignments in their garage?

I have MM Suspension with coilovers and will be changing ride height. Will need an aligment. All the places around me in Peoria IL are saying no to doing my car because of the CC plates.

Do people just do alignments in the garage? Any suggestions on tools or were to find directions on this?
Tried looking around for a bit and not turning up much
Thanks
Joe

2004 Cobra 2.9 Whipple

No

You need lasers and ish

Sent from my SM-N975U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

As long as you have a flat area you can do it. I've used an angle app on my phone to set camber. I want to get one of the self zeroing camber gauges at some point.

Had to start due to the exact same reason. The few places I did find refused to align the car to my specs. When I did finally find a place they were kind of far away and in a bad area.

I use MM's caster camber gauge and I square up strings around the car to set the toe. Setting the toe this way is a pain in the ass so I am switching back to toe plates when it's time to align the car again.

You can learn how to do your own alignment from looking up the instructions for the MM c/c gauge. Longacre specializes in diy alignment stuff and has some good info as well.

Pay the $100 and get a shop to do it.

I use Tenhulzen caster/camber/toe plates. https://www.amazon.com/Tenhulzen-3300-2-Wheel-Alignment-System/dp/B00PKI0YSU/ I also have a pair of turn plates. Very easy to use and setup and very accurate. The only issue is I think a drive-on lift is required. I can't picture how you could adjust the toe with the car on the ground.

MM recommends measuring the tread on front and back side of tire for toe... Lol

I cant find a shop that can set up the bump steer that seems to be the biggest issue



2004 Cobra 2.9 Whipple

So as you can see, it is possible to do it yourself IF you have the right equipment, and IF you are willing to invest time and a bit of aggravation. It really is so much easier finding a shop that can/will do it. Since this is not a procedure you'd do every month, I wouldn't think twice about expanding my drive to get it done. If it was me, I'd be willing to drive 45-60 miles to get it done if there was nothing closer.

I'm one more paid alignment away from doing it myself forever. I always have to take it back for adjustment - why it is so hard for a freaking alignment shop to get my steering wheel straight is so far beyond me i can't even begin to explain. The last shop that did my mustang didn't get the MM CC plates right and by the time i got home i have the underhood gouges and my camber was way off.
I don't have a drive on lift but, like a few have said, you don't really have to do it that often. I'm sure if you give MM a call they can help you out too.

I've looked into it over the years....mainly because I have multiple cars and I really hate anyone touching any of them....especially the terminator. Can't tell you how many times I've talked to alignment shops, just to interview them....and so many are clueless about the terminator. They immediately have no idea its IRS and insist its solid axle....only front has adjustment.....err you fail and I'm out of there.

The company I looked at is Longacre. I see their product prices have increased. This is just for caster/camber......toe tools are additional.

Longacre Digital Caster Camber Gauge 78295

++ on last 2 posts. Exactly why I did my own adjustments after installing MM coil overs on my Fox.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

Did you guys who DIY have a write up somewhere on how to do this? I just don't want to F anything (namely new tires going on soon) up

2004cobra615 said:

MM recommends measuring the tread on front and back side of tire for toe... Lol

I cant find a shop that can set up the bump steer that seems to be the biggest issue



2004 Cobra 2.9 Whipple

Click to expand...

You can LOL all you want but using the tread is actually pretty standard when you start researching how to set toe in. You can used the rim face as well but even the tools available to you used the tread or tire edge.

You won't find a standard tire shop that even knows what the hell bump steer is let alone one that has the ability to do it. It is a time consuming process and unless you are open tracking or autocrossing the car I would simply set the tie rods level with the A-arms and call it good. I got that bit of info straight from MM. To set bump steer you would need to go to a shop that specializes in race cars and you are going to pay big for it due to the time involved.

CobraBob said:

So as you can see, it is possible to do it yourself IF you have the right equipment, and IF you are willing to invest time and a bit of aggravation. It really is so much easier finding a shop that can/will do it. Since this is not a procedure you'd do every month, I wouldn't think twice about expanding my drive to get it done. If it was me, I'd be willing to drive 45-60 miles to get it done if there was nothing closer.

Click to expand...

Totally agree if you don't plan on making additional modifications.

c6zhombre said:

I've looked into it over the years....mainly because I have multiple cars and I really hate anyone touching any of them....especially the terminator. Can't tell you how many times I've talked to alignment shops, just to interview them....and so many are clueless about the terminator. They immediately have no idea its IRS and insist its solid axle....only front has adjustment.....err you fail and I'm out of there.

The company I looked at is Longacre. I see their product prices have increased. This is just for caster/camber......toe tools are additional.

Longacre Digital Caster Camber Gauge 78295

Click to expand...

Don't you just love it when people tell you that no mustangs before the S550 had and IRS? The look on peoples faces when you tell them to go peek in the fender well and show you the solid axle is awesome as well. I've had a few ask me how I got it in there.

Take a look at MM's CC gauge. Cheaper then the longacre stuff and just as good. Just know that you'll need to smooth out the aluminum pieces that contact the rim or they will scratch the lip where they make contact.

MarkOPKS said:

Did you guys who DIY have a write up somewhere on how to do this? I just don't want to F anything (namely new tires going on soon) up

Click to expand...

Take a look at MM's site and download the instructions for their CC gauge. There are tons of youtube videos as well.

I did.....just tow though......worked GREAT for 150K miles!!