You get an A for the effort! There's no need to remove the balljoints, you can just turn the track rods. Align with the wheels on. Run fishing line along each side of the car and use that as a datum. It will avoid ending up with the twisted steering wheel. Do some math to figure out how much you must turn to get where you want to go: the track rod thread pitch is likely 1.5mm, and the ball joint should be close to the wheel rim, 6.5" from the king pin. So each turn of the track rod will change toe-in by 3mm or thereabouts.
Great video - super helpful! Any idea how similar the mechanics/adjustments are between the X 1/9 and the Spider? Love the 2-camera setup, by the way - really adds to the overview. See you sporting the Vice Grip Garage hat as well. Teaser for a Marshall, Jesse, Derek collab? 🤔 FIAT on! 🇮🇹🚙
They are not the same. I wish they were! They are pretty similar though. I wish Derek would collaborate with me! That would be fantastic. Maybe one day.
You did well. You got the toe adjusted properly but you forgot to parallel the two fronts before doing so.Hence when the toe was adjusted the wheels were evenly pointing to the right or left. Get the wheels both at 90 degrees to the front wall and then adjust the toe.
I noticed that later actually. When I read the manual it said to turn the ball joint. I didn’t look at the attached picture, and if I did, it would show me that I didn’t have to do that. Oh well!
It's a great, informative video. I think it's actually very helpful to show when you go wrong, because it helps others avoid whatever the mistake was. You going to let us know? Just curious as I don't understand what could do that as long as the wheel was straight while you adjusting. Did it possibly move?
If the car steers straight when you're not holding the wheel and drives smoothly, you could just take off the steering wheel and put it back on straight...
@@GarageTimeTV I haven't taken any of my BMWs for an alignment for years and they're far more complicated to do than an X1/9. I stopped when I had one place completely screw up the rear toe!
It certainly seems like you've got it almost perfect. I think you should get it to the best you can and THEN take it to a shop and have them double check it. But I would be absolutely sure the shop you take it to specializes in alignment because you don't want them screwing it up when you might already have it bang on. If you did get it right then you'd probably never have to pay for an alignment ever again on any of your cars. Nice X19 btw -- you've done a great job and it looks fantastic with those wheels. I had one years ago and really miss it. I used to drive it along a windy mountain road where I lived and it handled great. Lot's of fun memories of owning that car.
You get an A for the effort!
There's no need to remove the balljoints, you can just turn the track rods. Align with the wheels on. Run fishing line along each side of the car and use that as a datum. It will avoid ending up with the twisted steering wheel. Do some math to figure out how much you must turn to get where you want to go: the track rod thread pitch is likely 1.5mm, and the ball joint should be close to the wheel rim, 6.5" from the king pin. So each turn of the track rod will change toe-in by 3mm or thereabouts.
Thanks for that! After the fact I learned what you noted. lol. I’ll be making corrections soon!
Great video - super helpful! Any idea how similar the mechanics/adjustments are between the X 1/9 and the Spider? Love the 2-camera setup, by the way - really adds to the overview. See you sporting the Vice Grip Garage hat as well. Teaser for a Marshall, Jesse, Derek collab? 🤔 FIAT on! 🇮🇹🚙
They are not the same. I wish they were! They are pretty similar though.
I wish Derek would collaborate with me! That would be fantastic. Maybe one day.
You did well. You got the toe adjusted properly but you forgot to parallel the two fronts before doing so.Hence when the toe was adjusted the wheels were evenly pointing to the right or left. Get the wheels both at 90 degrees to the front wall and then adjust the toe.
Thanks for that. I learned my lesson and I’ll correct it.
Awesome video
Hi again, you shouldn't need to dismantle the ball joints. You just rotate the track rods with a spanner (wrench).
I noticed that later actually. When I read the manual it said to turn the ball joint. I didn’t look at the attached picture, and if I did, it would show me that I didn’t have to do that. Oh well!
It's a great, informative video. I think it's actually very helpful to show when you go wrong, because it helps others avoid whatever the mistake was. You going to let us know? Just curious as I don't understand what could do that as long as the wheel was straight while you adjusting. Did it possibly move?
I’m not sure yet. I’ll do a deeper diagnosis this week and maybe do a mid-week video. Something short. We will see!
If the car steers straight when you're not holding the wheel and drives smoothly, you could just take off the steering wheel and put it back on straight...
That’s some creative thinking right there!!
It may be wise to take it in a professional alignment shop.
That’s the plan! This was just to get rid of the shake. It’ll be done much better by a pro.
@@GarageTimeTV I haven't taken any of my BMWs for an alignment for years and they're far more complicated to do than an X1/9. I stopped when I had one place completely screw up the rear toe!
It certainly seems like you've got it almost perfect. I think you should get it to the best you can and THEN take it to a shop and have them double check it. But I would be absolutely sure the shop you take it to specializes in alignment because you don't want them screwing it up when you might already have it bang on. If you did get it right then you'd probably never have to pay for an alignment ever again on any of your cars. Nice X19 btw -- you've done a great job and it looks fantastic with those wheels. I had one years ago and really miss it. I used to drive it along a windy mountain road where I lived and it handled great. Lot's of fun memories of owning that car.