I learned how to do alignments in 1984 when I was 24 years old. The shop where I worked sent me to school for a week to learn and they had a Hunter Light Align 2. You had to do the runout adjustments using the bubble indicator on each head, do the caster sweep, calculate how far to move the cams and which way or what shims needed to be added, removed. It was all up to the technician to know what to do and how to do it. Technology sure does make it a lot easier, but doing it old school really helps you understand what the angles do in relationship to each other while a vehicle traveling down the road. Thank you for making this video. I own my own shop but I work alone so I don't have an alignment machine. Too expensive and I'd never do enough alignments to pay for the machine.
Ya know it's 3:15am over here on the island. I tell ya straight ups - these vids are the only reason this old war horse gets up so early. Your Videos Rock!! Awesome!!
+Hawaiian F150 - You would think the owner would want to fork over for new shocks on all four corners or at least up front outta shame. Kinda makes me think that some time soon the one old shock will get beat up by all the new parts and they will kick it to the curb at the most opportune time. "Rebellion".
I have a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. I replaced the two front strut towers today & Im having the front alignment adjusted tomorrow. I know you were bored making the video, but you demonstrated how it's done for the benefit of all of us backyard mechanics. Thank you!
It might be boring repetative work but i know that abgood alignment gives a very nice customer satisfaction. It's quite anoying to drive a car with completely f-ed up alignment so when the alignment shop does a good job correcting everything it will the driving experience so much better. It can actually make the difference between having and enjoying the car.
And we're still watching. Wish you guys were out in California, I know don't say it, but anyways, repair shops out here make a fricking big deal out of making these adjustments. Thanks
Wow! While the adjustments were pretty much the same, the computer tools are so much different than when I last watched this being done on my dad's car way back in the early 70's. Thanks for showing us.
You say that this has gotta be one of the most lame-o sma videos but I beg to differ, it is fascinating to watch and really cool to see it adjusting measurements on the fly.
John Bean. Used to have a factory in my birthplace, Lansing, Michigan. The building is still there. It has multiple uses. Along the banks of the Red Cedar River, which flows through Michgan State Universitie's campus. I know, blah blah. But hey, I learned the trade on the Lite-O-Line machines. The newbies are light years ahead. Thank you Eric. Good stuff.
That's cool you have access to the alignment machine, and what a machine it is. All the bells and whistles. It's a beauty. And your right, now that I've seen the process I at least know what the technician is doing.
Nice alignment rack, technology has really changed since 1970! We used to run them through pretty quickly with the saying "set the toe and let 'her go!".
Watched your videos, for quite awhile. I am a 53 year old Marine Mechanic or all around can fix anything type of Guy. But you have the Best Videos and know your Stuff. Thanks for being Honest. Keep up the Good Work. You have seem to have a Nice Family Life.
I don't agree that video was lame. I found it interesting to see the process. Thank you. I wish I were closer to your shop to help me with my old f150.
Thank you!! .... I just finished replacing a bunch of front end parts in my Chevy truck ... all the other vids I saw on UA-cam where variations of string and other ideas ... I have a much better understanding and appreciation of what is involved now ... my last alignment I had done was on my car and they gave me a nice printout of what the measurements were when it came in and the measurements after it was all "dialed in" ... well worth getting done professionally !! Thank you from Calgary, Alberta :-)
Hey Eric, another well crafted video. I've wanted to get a look in your Dad's shop and what a nice shop. I don't blame you for not wanting to repair trucks. Man, that is some labor intensive work and on top of it having to put up with truck drivers. Maybe it's just me.
Never seen it done in detail this video is pretty neat but I do agree with you would be boring doing this every day and that all you would really would be boring being an alignment tech but information was awesome to know
The shock coming apart 😂😂 That happened to me on my Ford Ranger I have a few friends that are mechanics and they said they had never seen that happen before you're the second time I've seen it 😂😂
Ahh, A trip down memory lane for me. I spent the 1st two years apprenticing on a Bear alignment rack. It is monotonous but my option was the lube rack. Spent 43 years as a interprovincial licensed Canadian mechanic, enjoyed almost every minute. Your drift to the right is possibly from the rear thrust line position, but you you never spoke of tire pressure or irregular tire wear. My comments aren't a criticism, just an observation. You do a masterful job of bringing weekend warrior mechanics into the reality of professional auto repair and service. Thanks for the memories.
I dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know a method to log back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly lost the password. I would love any tips you can offer me
+hllywd964 You said it, man there' tons of space. I could only dream of ever working in a space like that. If I had a shop like that, I'll put a TV, recliner, fridge and my wife and son will hardly see me.
I made the mistake a very long time ago replacing only the "loose" parts, you will soon need to replace the other parts. Its better to replace EVERYTHING, IMO. I made that mistake on my beautiful 88 Turbo Supra some 10 years ago. I replaced one wheel bearing, both the lower ball joints, one upper ball joint, both tierod ends, and one inner tie rod.. felt very good for a year but never like a "new" car which i though was normal. Changed the rest of the parts and it made a world of difference, EXCATLLY like a new car and it felt so much better in tight corners under heavy breaking. On my 2005 S60 2.5t with 190K miles I replaced the wheel bearings, lower control arms, sway-bar links and bushings.. everything. The car was pristine and I let a mechanic friend of mine drive it without looking at the milage (over 200K at the time) and he honestly thought it has about 50K miles on it. FYI, during normal driving I almost never step on the gas more than 1/4.. even on a backup beater 95 Civic DX 5 speed I got. Just no need to wear down an engine to "feel" like you're getting somewhere faster. And i drove as a NAPA driver for over a year, 40 hours a week. You have to drive about double the speed limit to pass the lights, otherwise you will almost always catch the light and then granny from the last light will pull up next to you lol. I was 18 and dumb.
That machine is way better than ours! I'm bored stiff doing alignments, service manager loves them though! £££/$$$! They're as interesting as putting cherries on cakes....wait, cakes are delicious, I'm off to get cake. Nice video.
+South Main Auto Repair He's a service manager, of course he's nuts! It's imperative every job gets an alignment at 0.8 labour, until the machine breaks, then it's no longer imperative at all because the call out is expensive! Joy joy!
Really glad I got to finally see an alignment performed. Didn't realize the level of digital integration used to set the angles. Thanks for the look-see...!
Great video. I now understand a whole lot more about alignment. I wonder why alignment shops near me can't get my mountaineer aligned right. Ah well. thanks for making this video.
Eric: Great Video. The detailed explanation was very informative. While there no Thor sightings or use of flames, you did have your usual sightings of lovely New York rust... Still a great video.
I have been an alignment tech for about 27 years and alignments are still my favorite. I do now get an occasional brake job or suspenion repair. I am just learning some engine diagnostics and have learned much from your channel. Thanks
How long will it take to do camber/caster and toe alignment if all parts are new? Do you need all 4 guide pins to adjust camber/ caster on a Cadillac escalade esv?
Eric, as a mechanic from old school 70's, used an old Hunter. Only then we had magnetic calibrator for each wheel. Used shims, shims and more shims. But I've got to say, I'm really impressed with the machine. Takes all the guess work out. Better alignment to. Taught this old dog a new trick. Thanks Mr O.
I just started at an alignment shop after 5 years of paint and body . You may have just saved my ass . I never did suspension work before this. My boss owns both shops and started me at the alignment shop knowing i have no experience. This video helped quit a bit , but I wish you would have shown the exact places to find all the cam bolts while you were adjusting them . Rather than before you started the adjustment. All in all you helped me understand a lot more than I’ve been taught in 2 weeks. Thank You
Techs like this one are rare these days. Most techs today will just put it on green and call it a day. Last tech aligned my rear toe, although in green, the readings were 0.01 LR and 0.18 on RR. It caused the thrust angle and steering to be tilted. I had to comeback and tell them to even out the rear toe so the the trust angle would center. Good job!
Alignment specialists know what they're doing, have to make changes, sometimes finding a vehicle that needs frame straightening. I saw that at the shop I worked at several times. THAT'S not fun. Great Video!
Good Video's watch all ... own two old chevy's 03-S-10, 05-Safari...both 4.3's go fig... Great explaining the Tech- without getting complicated. Keep it simple and clean.
I went to 5 different alighnment shops and couldn't get my steering wheel straight. Then went to one shop and they got it right. Why these other alignment shops couldn't do what this guy did is beyond me.
i've watched most of your video's and yes i am doing my car myself,uh-oh,lol,which brings me to the part about the steering wheel,back in the younger days my brother's worked on cars,and they would have parts left over,or as they said ''spare parts''. and when it came to the crooked steering wheel they would pull it off and center it and put it back on making it looked like it came from an alignment shop. ( but it still pulled to the side if you let your hands off the steering wheel,lol) you and the family have a good day eric. later.
I usually take my truck(s) to an old-school alignment shop that does big trucks and they have a totally old-school setup. The tech (who is a friend of mine) starts by jacking up the front end and spraying paint on the centerline of the tires. Then he has a pair of cutting wheels on a rack and he moves them to where they align with the center of the tread and cuts a small groove into the tire tread. The rest is like black magic to me but it gets the job done. He also has hydraulic benders to tweak the solid axles and radius arms on trucks to change camber and caster. He says that sometimes he puts them on big truck axles and leaves them there for a half-hour or so to let the axle settle in. The axle will heat up and paint will sometimes flake off as the steel bends to the will of the presses. Then the truck drives down the road straight -- compensated for road crown, of course. Good video. Increases my understanding of the subject immensely. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
It might be old hat for you, but it's certainly interesting to those of us that rarely see under the body of cars outside of UA-cam. Thanks for taking the time; I always wondered the basics of how it's done and what moves where.
I'm sure alot of people would agree the same on meeting your dad. It would be nice to have him talk on how he got started there and move to the bigger shop and all. I lime to hear stories on how people got started doing what they love to do.
Eric over the ditch here we use 'occy straps' to hold the heads on the wheels, especially useful when the car has really expensive Billet Wheels & you can't crank on the handle & get them tight as they will scratch the rims!
Nice to have a look at your dads/brothers shop, nice size. all a bunch of wrench turners eh. I prefer the big iron over the small any day, but it's just what ever your use to working with I guess. Great vid, thanks
Great video!!! Im Taking my 98 c1500 for an alignment.... replaced both inner and outer tie rods, pitman arm, idler arm and housing.... took awhile... I couldn’t separate the idler arm from center link, lol... anyways, replaced it also... it’s nuts and bolts and torque specs...
Sure wish I worked on a machine like that when I was in the business 20 years ago instead of that "light a line" crap machine. Another great video, neat to see the modern technology as well.
Great video. I have never ever seen an alignment, so to me this is as far from "lame" as it gets. Yes, I really wanted to see this. Just loved seeing it.
I am new to this channel. Thank you. This and all your videos are well done. In the mid 1980's i worked at shop while I was in college. I was the alignment guy. It seemed i had the patience for dialing in the measurements. The wheel mounted heads had to have the runout removed manually. Also the machined used light reflecting against wheel mounted "flags" with numbered - graduated scales for toe. Caster / Camber was measured with a bubble in water similar to a carpenters level. Brings back some memories.
I liked your explanation of the effects of the road crown. I thought that my truck was off, and discussed it with my tech. He said all was good. We had the same discussion about the road crown. I go into Quebec for work frequently. I don’t see it so much these days, but it times past, drivers would ride the crown. This would be on the autoroutes, which are like our interstates.
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Great video, haven't seen a alignment since I was in high school auto mechanics, hasn't changed too much. Its great that you and your brother share resources, my brother hasn't talked to any of us in over 6 years.
Gary's Garage your brother got mad because he was denied use of something of yours? Or you got mad at him because he refused to share with you? Or was there an illegal THEFT involved? Possibly taking something from your brother without consent( implied nor written) all because of GREED? I have helped my brother any way I can . He has helped me as well. Always out in the open with no sneaky dishonest, shameful underhanded dealings involved. HONEST DEALINGS!!! I once had to demand and invoke my constitutional rights as a state citizen of The U.S.A To keep my life worth living. Actually livable. My 13th Amendment right to a trial by jury of my peers. Charges disappeared . Not even enough evidence for a arrest. Still though I was railroaded by my full brother. Who I still help and love . GOD saved my life plain and simple.
5 mins in and no info on alignment, and 4 ads? This must be the greatest video of all time. Should be able to open my own alignment shop after this!
I learned how to do alignments in 1984 when I was 24 years old. The shop where I worked sent me to school for a week to learn and they had a Hunter Light Align 2. You had to do the runout adjustments using the bubble indicator on each head, do the caster sweep, calculate how far to move the cams and which way or what shims needed to be added, removed. It was all up to the technician to know what to do and how to do it. Technology sure does make it a lot easier, but doing it old school really helps you understand what the angles do in relationship to each other while a vehicle traveling down the road. Thank you for making this video. I own my own shop but I work alone so I don't have an alignment machine. Too expensive and I'd never do enough alignments to pay for the machine.
Ya know it's 3:15am over here on the island. I tell ya straight ups - these vids are the only reason this old war horse gets up so early. Your Videos Rock!! Awesome!!
+Hawaiian F150 - You would think the owner would want to fork over for new shocks on all four corners or at least up front outta shame. Kinda makes me think that some time soon the one old shock will get beat up by all the new parts and they will kick it to the curb at the most opportune time. "Rebellion".
I have a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. I replaced the two front strut towers today & Im having the front alignment adjusted tomorrow. I know you were bored making the video, but you demonstrated how it's done for the benefit of all of us backyard mechanics. Thank you!
Good lord. For a winter beater i thought you were gonna show us how to do this with string. Nice video.
The last time I did a real alignment there was not a computer in sight. I enjoyed seeing the modern equipment. Thanks again Eric.
same here, I used a Hunter Lite-a-line pit machine back in mid 70's
It might be boring repetative work but i know that abgood alignment gives a very nice customer satisfaction.
It's quite anoying to drive a car with completely f-ed up alignment so when the alignment shop does a good job correcting everything it will the driving experience so much better. It can actually make the difference between having and enjoying the car.
And we're still watching. Wish you guys were out in California, I know don't say it, but anyways, repair shops out here make a fricking big deal out of making these adjustments. Thanks
Wow! While the adjustments were pretty much the same, the computer tools are so much different than when I last watched this being done on my dad's car way back in the early 70's. Thanks for showing us.
I know it is a boring job, but it is an important part of automobile maintenance that most people know very little about. Good job Eric!
Good video for non shop guys like me. Alignment procedure was pretty much a mystery to me until now. Thanks for posting.
it's satisfying to set it up and make it drive staight down the road
You say that this has gotta be one of the most lame-o sma videos but I beg to differ, it is fascinating to watch and really cool to see it adjusting measurements on the fly.
holy old school alignment machine....Guess I am spoiled with the latest and greatest hunter machine. Pretty cool to see how a different machine works.
John Bean. Used to have a factory in my birthplace, Lansing, Michigan. The building is still there. It has multiple uses. Along the banks of the Red Cedar River, which flows through Michgan State Universitie's campus. I know, blah blah. But hey, I learned the trade on the Lite-O-Line machines. The newbies are light years ahead. Thank you Eric. Good stuff.
Never really knew what I was buying when I had my cars aligned. Very informative. Thank you for posting.
+Andrea Echevarria Well it is what you are suppose to be paying for....
The happiest of Mother's day wishes to Mr's O.. Hope you enjoy your day.
Best wheel alignment I have ever seen James watched it all the way through thank you
That's cool you have access to the alignment machine, and what a machine it is. All the bells and whistles. It's a beauty. And your right, now that I've seen the process I at least know what the technician is doing.
Nice alignment rack, technology has really changed since 1970! We used to run them through pretty quickly with the saying "set the toe and let 'her go!".
Watched your videos, for quite awhile. I am a 53 year old Marine Mechanic or all around can fix anything type of Guy. But you have the Best Videos and know your Stuff. Thanks for being Honest. Keep up the Good Work. You have seem to have a Nice Family Life.
+ml2trick thanks sir!
Eric for president
This guy it’s smarter and has more common sense than all our politicians put together.
NOW THAT IS THE TRUTH (GIVE THAT MAN A RAISE)
I don't agree that video was lame. I found it interesting to see the process. Thank you. I wish I were closer to your shop to help me with my old f150.
man,this guy is some kind of mechanic ,always impressed with his knowledge and work,seems to know everything about every kind of issue you may have.
I do this all day for years now easy money and good money👍
Good job Eric showing even the mundane side of auto repair!
Understanding how things work is good knowledge. Thanks for letting us come along.
Just realized how you are such a good car mechanic. Cars are like toys to you after you worked on the monster trucks. ;)
Thank you!! .... I just finished replacing a bunch of front end parts in my Chevy truck ... all the other vids I saw on UA-cam where variations of string and other ideas ... I have a much better understanding and appreciation of what is involved now ... my last alignment I had done was on my car and they gave me a nice printout of what the measurements were when it came in and the measurements after it was all "dialed in" ... well worth getting done professionally !! Thank you from Calgary, Alberta :-)
Eric you are a cool and humble young man and I wish you were my go to guy for auto repairs :)))
Hey Eric, another well crafted video. I've wanted to get a look in your Dad's shop and what a nice shop. I don't blame you for not wanting to repair trucks. Man, that is some labor intensive work and on top of it having to put up with truck drivers. Maybe it's just me.
+Garlin Willingham oh and that list goes on
Never seen it done in detail this video is pretty neat but I do agree with you would be boring doing this every day and that all you would really would be boring being an alignment tech but information was awesome to know
The shock coming apart
😂😂
That happened to me on my Ford Ranger
I have a few friends that are mechanics and they said they had never seen that happen before you're the second time I've seen it 😂😂
OMG I’m so glad I live in the desert. 20 year old suburban with 275,000 miles and NO RUST!!! 🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵
Whoa! Look at all the room in that shop! In the words of Napoleon Dynamite, I'll say, "Lucky!"
LUCKY YOU SAY ----- HEY SOMBODY THOUGHT IT AND THEN DID IT... 100 POINTS.
Rusted bolts make it difficult. New parts made it easy .
Awesome 👍
"At least there's . . . . Well I really can't think of anything interesting about alignments."
That line was pretty funny! I enjoyed the video.
Not a boring video at all! Watched the whole thing and appreciate you taking the time to post!
Ahh, A trip down memory lane for me. I spent the 1st two years apprenticing on a Bear alignment rack.
It is monotonous but my option was the lube rack.
Spent 43 years as a interprovincial licensed Canadian mechanic, enjoyed almost every minute.
Your drift to the right is possibly from the rear thrust line position, but you you never spoke of tire pressure or irregular tire wear. My comments aren't a criticism, just an observation. You do a masterful job of bringing weekend warrior mechanics into the reality of professional auto repair and service. Thanks for the memories.
I dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know a method to log back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly lost the password. I would love any tips you can offer me
@Leroy Billy instablaster ;)
@Luis Cayden it worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my ass!
@Leroy Billy no problem =)
I spent four years selling Bear equipment in Canada. Good days.
Never a boring video with ya! Always learning something!
Excellent video Eric! Your brothers/dads shop is huge!
+hllywd964 You said it, man there' tons of space. I could only dream of ever working in a space like that. If I had a shop like that, I'll put a TV, recliner, fridge and my wife and son will hardly see me.
+RareDiamond Ching yeah...that shop looks like an airplane hanga!
It's huge but fills up quick with just a couple trucks
I made the mistake a very long time ago replacing only the "loose" parts, you will soon need to replace the other parts. Its better to replace EVERYTHING, IMO. I made that mistake on my beautiful 88 Turbo Supra some 10 years ago. I replaced one wheel bearing, both the lower ball joints, one upper ball joint, both tierod ends, and one inner tie rod.. felt very good for a year but never like a "new" car which i though was normal. Changed the rest of the parts and it made a world of difference, EXCATLLY like a new car and it felt so much better in tight corners under heavy breaking. On my 2005 S60 2.5t with 190K miles I replaced the wheel bearings, lower control arms, sway-bar links and bushings.. everything. The car was pristine and I let a mechanic friend of mine drive it without looking at the milage (over 200K at the time) and he honestly thought it has about 50K miles on it.
FYI, during normal driving I almost never step on the gas more than 1/4.. even on a backup beater 95 Civic DX 5 speed I got. Just no need to wear down an engine to "feel" like you're getting somewhere faster. And i drove as a NAPA driver for over a year, 40 hours a week. You have to drive about double the speed limit to pass the lights, otherwise you will almost always catch the light and then granny from the last light will pull up next to you lol. I was 18 and dumb.
That machine is way better than ours! I'm bored stiff doing alignments, service manager loves them though! £££/$$$! They're as interesting as putting cherries on cakes....wait, cakes are delicious, I'm off to get cake. Nice video.
+Toyota Tech if he thinks they make $$ then he is obviously nuts haha, you can make ten fold the profit doing a mindless brake job...or tires
+South Main Auto Repair He's a service manager, of course he's nuts! It's imperative every job gets an alignment at 0.8 labour, until the machine breaks, then it's no longer imperative at all because the call out is expensive! Joy joy!
Really glad I got to finally see an alignment performed. Didn't realize the level of digital integration used to set the angles. Thanks for the look-see...!
Alignment 101....thanks for the video!
Great video. I now understand a whole lot more about alignment. I wonder why alignment shops near me can't get my mountaineer aligned right. Ah well. thanks for making this video.
This has to be one of my new favorite SMA videos. I always wondered how alinement racks worked. Thanks, Dr. O!
Another excellent video!! Thank you sir for all you do. Jim
Never seen how these newer machines worked so I like the video
Eric: Great Video. The detailed explanation was very informative. While there no Thor sightings or use of flames, you did have your usual sightings of lovely New York rust... Still a great video.
I have been an alignment tech for about 27 years and alignments are still my favorite. I do now get an occasional brake job or suspenion repair. I am just learning some engine diagnostics and have learned much from your channel. Thanks
How long will it take to do camber/caster and toe alignment if all parts are new?
Do you need all 4 guide pins to adjust camber/ caster on a Cadillac escalade esv?
Thank you for taking time on Saturday to do this
thank you for taking the time to show us. Great video!!
Not boring at all watch the whole thing like most your videos. !
Eric, as a mechanic from old school 70's, used an old Hunter. Only then we had magnetic calibrator for each wheel. Used shims, shims and more shims. But I've got to say, I'm really impressed with the machine. Takes all the guess work out. Better alignment to. Taught this old dog a new trick. Thanks Mr O.
Used to do these all the time with the old "Bear Bubble Alignment Rack". Nothing more fun then measuring tapes and bubble levels...LOL
I just started at an alignment shop after 5 years of paint and body . You may have just saved my ass . I never did suspension work before this. My boss owns both shops and started me at the alignment shop knowing i have no experience. This video helped quit a bit , but I wish you would have shown the exact places to find all the cam bolts while you were adjusting them . Rather than before you started the adjustment. All in all you helped me understand a lot more than I’ve been taught in 2 weeks. Thank You
how's it going now?'i bet you can align em in your sleep by now
@@randytingle3413 damn right my dude. !!
Thanks for the effort to show. Good vid!
you are a technical genus I have enjoyed your videos learned a lot from them!
Not only that, but he's a technical genius, too! lol
THAT WAS AWSOME 1000 POINTS Mr. Magoo in Milo, Maine (THANK YOU)
Thank You SMA, I found this video very interesting.
Techs like this one are rare these days. Most techs today will just put it on green and call it a day.
Last tech aligned my rear toe, although in green, the readings were 0.01 LR and 0.18 on RR. It caused the thrust angle and steering to be tilted. I had to comeback and tell them to even out the rear toe so the the trust angle would center.
Good job!
Awesome...I've never seen how an alignment is actually done. Now I understand why it costs what it does.
+Chris Freemesser Yep that is the long and short of a basic alignment
Nice job, automation is pretty sweet..!
Alignment specialists know what they're doing, have to make changes, sometimes finding a vehicle that needs frame straightening. I saw that at the shop I worked at several times.
THAT'S not fun. Great Video!
Good Video's watch all ... own two old chevy's 03-S-10, 05-Safari...both 4.3's go fig... Great explaining the Tech- without getting complicated. Keep it simple and clean.
The fun part of wheel alighnments comes during the test drive, when you find the steering wheel is not straight and you have to start over,FOR FREE>
Every alignment shop I've been to leaves my steering wheel too low on the left.
I went to 5 different alighnment shops and couldn't get my steering wheel straight. Then went to one shop and they got it right. Why these other alignment shops couldn't do what this guy did is beyond me.
Never ever seen you do a lame video, I am fully entertained and fascinated by this one Eric!
Excellent video. I really like to see the wrenching. Thanks
Field Trips are always fun when learning something new! Thanks for the tour around the alignment machine.
i've watched most of your video's and yes i am doing my car myself,uh-oh,lol,which brings me to the part about the steering wheel,back in the younger days my brother's worked on cars,and they would have parts left over,or as they said ''spare parts''. and when it came to the crooked steering wheel they would pull it off and center it and put it back on making it looked like it came from an alignment shop. ( but it still pulled to the side if you let your hands off the steering wheel,lol) you and the family have a good day eric. later.
not a lame video! I enjoyed it...Thanks for making it.
I usually take my truck(s) to an old-school alignment shop that does big trucks and they have a totally old-school setup. The tech (who is a friend of mine) starts by jacking up the front end and spraying paint on the centerline of the tires. Then he has a pair of cutting wheels on a rack and he moves them to where they align with the center of the tread and cuts a small groove into the tire tread. The rest is like black magic to me but it gets the job done. He also has hydraulic benders to tweak the solid axles and radius arms on trucks to change camber and caster. He says that sometimes he puts them on big truck axles and leaves them there for a half-hour or so to let the axle settle in. The axle will heat up and paint will sometimes flake off as the steel bends to the will of the presses.
Then the truck drives down the road straight -- compensated for road crown, of course.
Good video. Increases my understanding of the subject immensely. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
It might be old hat for you, but it's certainly interesting to those of us that rarely see under the body of cars outside of UA-cam. Thanks for taking the time; I always wondered the basics of how it's done and what moves where.
Awesome. You killed my bird with that stone. If you remember I asked for a visit to the shop. Great vid Eric. Your my #1 of 2015 !!
I'm sure alot of people would agree the same on meeting your dad. It would be nice to have him talk on how he got started there and move to the bigger shop and all. I lime to hear stories on how people got started doing what they love to do.
Well that can't happen now. He passed away.
@@SouthMainAuto Im sorry for your loss mr.E. my dad passed away in 2015.
Dang, all I have is my old Kwikeze Magnetic Gauge and an old towing bar. Great video!
Eric over the ditch here we use 'occy straps' to hold the heads on the wheels, especially useful when the car has really expensive Billet Wheels & you can't crank on the handle & get them tight as they will scratch the rims!
Great job walking through the alignment process.
Im glad you made this video there’s not that many alignment videos for demonstrations. Keep it up and bring more. from a fellow technician
Great video Eric,Wow now that's a shop.I could fit 4 of my shops into that building..Lol
+jimthecarguy I know right!? That is how I feel when I go there lol
This video is definitely not lame. Great video if I do say so myself
That is a massive shop and very impressive! Mac tools found there as well!
Nice to have a look at your dads/brothers shop, nice size. all a bunch of wrench turners eh. I prefer the big iron over the small any day, but it's just what ever your use to working with I guess. Great vid, thanks
+camshaftP16 My other brother owns a shop too :)
great video eric i use the same machine at work you are correct same thing evertime
Excellent presentation !
Thank you !
Great video!!! Im Taking my 98 c1500 for an alignment.... replaced both inner and outer tie rods, pitman arm, idler arm and housing.... took awhile... I couldn’t separate the idler arm from center link, lol... anyways, replaced it also... it’s nuts and bolts and torque specs...
Best video on the subject
Excellent Video. I have always wondered exactly what was needed to be done. Thank You!!
This video is great since my shop hasn’t really taught me how to do alignments
Great video , very well explained. ( I don't like alignments either proud I don't have to do them :) Your dad has a nice shop !
Thanks for the video. I understood what each measurement meant (caster, camber and toe) but had not seen the process of aligning a vehicle before.
Sure wish I worked on a machine like that when I was in the business 20 years ago instead of that "light a line" crap machine. Another great video, neat to see the modern technology as well.
what a great garage.....
Great video. I have never ever seen an alignment, so to me this is as far from "lame" as it gets. Yes, I really wanted to see this. Just loved seeing it.
I am new to this channel. Thank you. This and all your videos are well done. In the mid 1980's i worked at shop while I was in college. I was the alignment guy. It seemed i had the patience for dialing in the measurements. The wheel mounted heads had to have the runout removed manually. Also the machined used light reflecting against wheel mounted "flags" with numbered - graduated scales for toe. Caster / Camber was measured with a bubble in water similar to a carpenters level. Brings back some memories.
I liked your explanation of the effects of the road crown. I thought that my truck was off, and discussed it with my tech. He said all was good. We had the same discussion about the road crown.
I go into Quebec for work frequently. I don’t see it so much these days, but it times past, drivers would ride the crown. This would be on the autoroutes, which are like our interstates.
Ivan I would love to see you do you String Alignment At SMA and then have Eric put it on the Alignment rack to so how close you are.
Strings. Hell,,I did the lanterns.. 🏖
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Great video, haven't seen a alignment since I was in high school auto mechanics, hasn't changed too much. Its great that you and your brother share resources, my brother hasn't talked to any of us in over 6 years.
+Gary Louis Sorry to hear that, both of my brothers own shops too
Gary's Garage your brother got mad because he was denied use of something of yours? Or you got mad at him because he refused to share with you? Or was there an illegal THEFT involved? Possibly taking something from your brother without consent( implied nor written) all because of GREED? I have helped my brother any way I can . He has helped me as well. Always out in the open with no sneaky dishonest, shameful underhanded dealings involved. HONEST DEALINGS!!! I once had to demand and invoke my constitutional rights as a state citizen of The U.S.A To keep my life worth living. Actually livable. My 13th Amendment right to a trial by jury of my peers. Charges disappeared . Not even enough evidence for a arrest. Still though I was railroaded by my full brother. Who I still help and love . GOD saved my life plain and simple.
its quite cool never before seeing how its done very educational for sure to us who dont have a nice shop that has all this cool equipment
+crapper1 Glad you enjoyed it!