can i adjust camber and toe myself?

[timloomis]

is there a way i can adjust either/or myself?i mean i know i can mess with the tie rod ends and the cam bolts,but can i get it adjusted properly?my front passenger side tire has more wear on the outside edge,the car pulls to that side,the wheel is always cocked to that side,and it obviously doesnt ride right.thanx.

 

[wret]

You could try this:
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113834

I had mine aligned after posting this. It turns out I had the front toe almost dead on. This could be done while your suspension is a work in progress but in the end I would still recommend taking it to the pros.

 

[bjones18]

is there a way i can adjust either/or myself?.

Yes. If you do not know Trigonometry you are on your own.

The link listed in the previous quote is good (using laser) HOWEVER!!!!! do not set your toe based on your rear tire location. Just about...say....no vehicles in production have exactly the same track width front to rear. using rocker flanges are a better datum.

Camber check: easiest.
1. Cut a "flat stick" to span your wheel flange (DO NOT USE YOUR TIRE BULGE...it is different top to bottom, flat-stick cannot hit lug nuts nor wheel spider) measure the stick length (around 18" for a 17" wheel)
2. place stick on wheel (vertical). Butt a "carpenters level" up to vertical-wheel-flange-stick.
3. rotate the carpenters level until the bubble shows vertical, and the bottom end of the carp-level is touching the stick. Measure the gap at the top.
4. Camber angle = ATAN( gap/sticklength).

Toe is more complicated....there is a good reason alignment racks have "frictionless" plates. Reproducability is the main concern. The simple method is using a tape measure between a tread-groove in the "front of" the front tires and then again in the "back of" the front tires (below the exhaust pipe, same height in tread-groove front & rear). You must be precise in measurement. you want to be within 1/16" accurate. A similar Trig calculation is used to calculate toe angle (divided by 2 for each side).

Toe in: distance between "front side" of tires is less than the distance between the "back side" of tires (DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH FRONT AND REAR TIRES) measurements are on front tires only. Two laser levels as depicted in the previous thread, focused on the garage door would be the best method. (Trig required)

Reproducability due to bump/rolll steer (cheap frictionless surface):
1. Home Depot $10 4x8 sheet of 1/8" thick "slippery" hard board same as "peg board" without the holes.
2. put axle to be aligned on "slippery board."
3. place a sheet of 8x11 sheet of paper between tire and "slippery board."
4. roll vehicle forward/backward ~1 foot several times.

Caster: (using frictionless surface) Measure camber at steering "full lock" left and "full lock" right. then compare values L & R. (Camber split comparison)