Things to do before an alignment?

[bigjae46]

Yeah, noticed that after I had already posted, didn't mean to come off some kind of way.

Sounds like a quality DIY kit might be worth having, didn't know you could get it that close.

Unfortunately around here the dealership is almost the only option, you say you have a German car, let alone without stock suspension they practically hang up on you. Last time the dealship did a 4 wheel alignment they wanted $850, fuck that.

I could buy a DIY kit for less than a dealership alignment, sans scales.

Here is what I use:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bgr-bgr200?seid=srese1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIquHCss2UkwMVT y3UAR2MJSnVEAQYASABEgKuj_D_BwE

Just need a way to measure camber. I bought a fancy longacre gauge.

The quality of an alignment is in its repeatability. You can roll a car on a laser alignment rack, roll it off and back on and get different numbers. I can't say conclusively why, definitely an art to using one.

A string alignment is as good if not better. It is certainly more precise. Depends on the resolution and repeatability of your measurements.

Race teams use string alignments.

BUT...adjustments with eccentric bolts is gonna be a total pain in the ass. For example, rear suspension on an E9X M3.

[bigjae46]

Yeah, I did the alignment exactly how they show in the video and with the same equipment on that not perfectly level surface. It is a bit of a process with the setup and measurements, but it is nice to know that one can do a pretty good job with some simple tools. I always thought that the only way to do a wheel alignment was with a Hunter machine.

My garage has a very slight incline, most attached garages will not be totally level. Not optimal but I don't
think it makes much if a difference.