String Alignment Question

[01SG]

I have been learning to align my car with Smart Strings. The rear end has been no trouble at all. I can always repeat the measurement. However, the front is giving me a hassle. I guess it comes down to the steering rack moving with the adjustment. If I set zero toe and then roll the car it will come back 1/64th out on the driver's side and 1/64th in on the passenger.

I have the Turner steering rack lock. Do I need simply need to lock the wheel a better way?

[Shonky]

If both sides are moving the same direction by the same amount that does imply the steering wheel is moving. I'm no string alignment expert though.

If you roll back and forth again does it stay set?

[01SG]

Yes, everything is new so the alignment holds. It is just that everytime I adjust one side it throws off the other.

[Slideways]

How are you raising and lowering the car between adjustments, lift or regular jack? Jacking up one side can cause the wheel to move a hair or two. Alignment shops usually have a fixture to hold the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. 1/64th is less than 0.5mm. It is hard enough getting 0.5mm measurement from a nice metric ruler, so measuring anything less than 0.5mm is not really worth the time or effort. I'd call that effectively zero toe.

[bigjae46]

Use INPA, take a steering angle sensor reading - should set the steering wheel so it is zero before making adjustments. Then lock the steering wheel. It will be spot on every time.

[01SG]

I have been using a regular jack, except lifting the whole front end. I also roll the car back and forth for the last check. It drives straight, but there is a slight imbalance with turn-in response on the passenger side showing toe in.

Could having driven a solid 1,000 miles with the alignment off made for odd tire wear?

I will look into the whole Inpa thing. I have been reading a thread on here about it.

[eacmen]

Use INPA, take a steering angle sensor reading - should set the steering wheel so it is zero before making adjustments. Then lock the steering wheel. It will be spot on every time.

Curious, what do you use to lock the steering wheel? I’ve seen some use ratchet straps.

[bigjae46]

Curious, what do you use to lock the steering wheel? I’ve seen some use ratchet straps.

On my E90 I use a spring loaded thing that sits on the seat which works perfect with my flat bottom M Performance steering wheel.

I have access to an alignment rack. For the E46 I leave INPA connected and do the alignment. Then I’m really careful when I tighten the jam nuts and recheck INPA.

If you have the strings square and SZL at 0 then it’s kinda hard to screw it up. Strings or laser.


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