Tire/ steering alignment shop near Bolingbrook, IL?

[broku518]

Been debating whether to do my tire alignment or find a shop to do it. Leaning towards the shop option. My garage is pretty tight.
This way I will need to install a hitch on my Honda minivan (so I can tow it someplace warmer when we move from IL)

I see a bunch of nuts and bolts in the front. Also, there is a long bar in rear end. Seems like it can be adjusted to sides.

Is steering part of the alignment?

Thanks.

[Gumball]

If you have the three or four link rear, you can do the following (a bit more complicated if you have independent rear suspension).

Jack stands, string, caster / camber bubble gauge, tape measure, two garbage bags, a couple ounces of engine oil.

Make sure the steering rack is centered.

Fold the garbage bags in one-foot or so squares with a bit of engine oil between the folds and place under the front tires. Set the jack stands up two on each side a few feet in front and behind the car, then tie the string to them longitudinally so that it bisects the wheels right at the center of the hub and is just touching both the leading and trailing sidewall of the rear tires. Take measurements for the front wheel from the string to the wheel lip - this will help you get toe measurements.

Use the caster / camber bubble gauge to detect camber (when the wheels are straight) and caster (when the wheels are turned so that the angled edge of the gauge is 90* to the frame rails.

This is all I did to set my initial alignment and what I've done to check it periodically. Ten thousand miles on soft Avon tires with perfect wear pattern and very smooth handling with good return-to-center, reasonable effort (manual steering), and hands-off straight line tracking.

[broku518]

Hi Gumball,

Thanks for the info. I am not familiar with these terms you mentioned. I need to google it to get the picture of what needs to be measure and where.
Do you happen to have a pictures how you did it?

I have a 3 link rear end.

Thanks,
Martin

[Gumball]

How about we do this.... give the weather a few more weeks to turn nice and I'll break 7074 out from hibernation and bring it and my caster / camber gauge down. You supply the rest of the things needed and we'll do the alignment and enjoy some rides in my car.

[ThickCobra]

How about we do this.... give the weather a few more weeks to turn nice and I'll break 7074 out from hibernation and bring it and my caster / camber gauge down. You supply the rest of the things needed and we'll do the alignment and enjoy some rides in my car.

Chris,

You're the man.

[phileas_fogg]

Chris,

You're the man.

x2. Kudos!


John

[broku518]

How about we do this.... give the weather a few more weeks to turn nice and I'll break 7074 out from hibernation and bring it and my caster / camber gauge down. You supply the rest of the things needed and we'll do the alignment and enjoy some rides in my car.

wow! That would be wonderful
I can work around your schedule.

Thanks,
Martin

[Cfehrenb]

Been debating whether to do my tire alignment or find a shop to do it. Leaning towards the shop option. My garage is pretty tight.
This way I will need to install a hitch on my Honda minivan (so I can tow it someplace warmer when we move from IL)

I see a bunch of nuts and bolts in the front. Also, there is a long bar in rear end. Seems like it can be adjusted to sides.

Is steering part of the alignment?

Thanks.

Don Hansen’s auto. Great car guy. Knows his stuff. Allows you to get under the lift and get greasy if you want. Credit Sten for initially finding this guy. I’ve used him twice. https://www.donhansensauto.com/

[Gumball]

Don Hansen’s auto. Great car guy. Knows his stuff. Allows you to get under the lift and get greasy if you want. Credit Sten for initially finding this guy. I’ve used him twice. https://www.donhansensauto.com/

Martin,

If you go this route, the offer for rides (especially for the kids) is still good - happy to drop by anytime once Spring finally arrives and the roads are salt-free.

[broku518]

Martin,

If you go this route, the offer for rides (especially for the kids) is still good - happy to drop by anytime once Spring finally arrives and the roads are salt-free.

Hi Chris,

His place is like 90min from my house. I would prefer if you could come by and show me how to do it. Plus I can get some mods ideas looking at your ride

Thanks,
Martin

[Gumball]

Hi Chris,

His place is like 90min from my house. I would prefer if you could come by and show me how to do it. Plus I can get some mods ideas looking at your ride

Thanks,
Martin

Roger that - always happy to have a reason to take it out and talk cars.

Maybe there are others from the area who would like to join, as there are quite a few driving (and in-progress) cars in the area.

Let's watch weather and the sodium content on the roads and post an invitation thread in a few weeks.

[FLPBFoot]

Roger that - always happy to have a reason to take it out and talk cars.

Maybe there are others from the area who would like to join, as there are quite a few driving (and in-progress) cars in the area.

Let's watch weather and the sodium content on the roads and post an invitation thread in a few weeks.

Yes, count me in. I'm up in the Kildeer area and Bolingbrook is only a 45 min drive.

[Al_C]

works for me!

[broku518]

Cool! Thanks

I will tentatively plan for first two weekends in April. Will post another thread later.

Thanks,
Martin