Summary of At Home Alignment Made Easy - How To Use String To Align Your Car

00:00:00 - 00:30:00

This YouTube video titled "At Home Alignment Made Easy - How To Use String To Align Your Car" provides a comprehensive guide on using string alignment to align your car at home. The video explains the materials needed, including PVC pipes, fishing line, straps, jack stands, metal scales or rulers, and an angle finder. It demonstrates how to set up the alignment box around the car using PVC pipes and notches, ensuring perfect alignment between the rear and front bars. The video then shows how to use string to align the car, adjusting it to be even on the front axle side to side. The process of measuring toe alignment using string and a parallel bar is also demonstrated. The speaker discusses the importance of aligning the car's total toe and side-to-side toe to avoid crabbing while driving and to keep the steering wheel straight. The video also touches on the adjustment of toe and camber, as well as different methods for adjusting camber and toe in a car's suspension. Overall, the video provides a detailed and informative guide for aligning your car at home using string alignment.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Nate Vincent explains the importance of having a properly aligned car and the reasons why you might need an alignment. He then introduces the concept of string alignments, which are accurate and effective in getting the car pointed in the right direction. He goes on to explain the materials needed for the alignment, including PVC pipes, fishing line, straps, jack stands, metal scales or rulers, and an angle finder. Nate emphasizes the importance of having the correct specifications for your car and provides a conversion chart for converting degrees to measurements. Finally, he discusses the basic orientation of the car and how it can be positioned on a lift for easier access during the alignment process.
• 00:05:00 In this section, the video explains how to set up the alignment box around the car using PVC pipes. The pipes are cut to a specific length based on the track width of the car plus a few extra inches. Notches are then made on the pipes at specific measurements to create alignment points for the strings. The video emphasizes the importance of aligning the notches perfectly between the rear and front bars.
• 00:10:00 In this section, the video demonstrates how to use string to align your car at home. The process involves cutting and notching parallel bars and lifting them to the center line of the wheels using jack stands. The video also shows how to secure the steering wheel in the 12 o'clock position using ratchet straps. Fishing line with weights is then used to create tension and run parallel to the car. With the help of a friend, the strings are adjusted to ensure they are even on the front axle, side to side. By measuring from the center of the wheel and adjusting accordingly, the parallel bars can be aligned to the center of the car. This allows for accurate measurement of the toe off the outside of the wheels.
• 00:15:00 In this section, the video demonstrates how to measure the toe alignment using string and a parallel bar. By measuring the distance between the strings and the front and rear of the wheels, the toe measurements can be determined. The measurements are recorded and subtracted to determine if the wheels are toed in or out. In this specific Mini car, the measurements showed a slight toe out on the front wheels and a toe out on the rear wheels. The video also explains how to convert the toe measurements from minutes to millimeters using a conversion chart. The factory specifications for this Mini indicate a toe in of 12 minutes in the front and 24 minutes in the rear, which corresponds to 1.5 millimeters of toe in for the front wheels and an unknown measurement for the rear wheels.
• 00:20:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the process of aligning the car using string. They start by converting the factory specifications for toe measurements to millimeters for easier measurement. They then compare the factory specs to the measurements taken on the car and find that while the total toe is relatively accurate, there is a significant difference in toe measurements between the right front and left front wheels, causing the car to be crooked. The speaker explains that they will adjust the front tie rods to correct the issue and demonstrates how to make the necessary adjustments. They measure the tie rod distance and make adjustments accordingly, aiming to split the difference evenly on both sides. Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of aligning the car's total toe and side-to-side toe to ensure the car doesn't crab while driving and that the steering wheel remains straight.
• 00:25:00 In this section, the speaker explains how to adjust the toe of the car using string alignment. They measure the distance between the strings and the tire, determine the desired adjustment, and make the necessary changes to the tie rod. After settling the suspension and remeasuring, they find that the adjustment has brought the toe within the desired specifications. They then move on to camber adjustment, ensuring that the ground is level and using a straight edge or level to measure the camber angle at each wheel. They record the measurements and find that they are within the desired range. The speaker also briefly mentions different methods for adjusting camber on the front of the car.
• 00:30:00 In this section of the video, the presenter discusses different methods of adjusting the camber and toe of a car's suspension. They mention options such as camber plates, eccentric bolts, and slotted holes that allow for adjustment from the factory. After making adjustments, they recommend using a straight edge and angle finder to measure the baseline setting. They also provide tips for adjusting the rear suspension, including adjusting camber before toe and how to adjust toe on a rear trailing arm suspension. Overall, the presenter emphasizes the accuracy and effectiveness of string alignments, which are commonly used even in high-end racing cars. They conclude by encouraging viewers to research their specific car's alignment adjustments and to leave any remaining questions in the comments.