UPDATE! I went to Big O Tires because they had a coupon alignment for only $59.99! I just got back and here are the results. The comparison of a DIY alignment vs a Computerized alignment.







---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Old Stuff before shop alignment

After doing my own alignment, my car still doesn't feel as though the toe settings are correct. I don't want to bring it to a shop if I can do it myself. However, I'm having trouble with the toe. I think it's toeing out a bit because when I drive, the steering kinda shakes and pulls either to the left or right a bit. The steering wheel is straight though. I already had my wheels balanced like 2 days before the DIY toe alignment and it drove perfectly without the shakes. So that's out of the question.

Here I aligned up a string with jack stands


Next, I measured each tire from the rear to the front by a tape measure. The strings are then 10 inches apart from the center hub.

Rear:


Front:


Now I measure the front toe from the outside of the rim to the strings.




Both are about 8 3/16" and I did this for the other side as well. All toes seem equally balanced which should result in at least 0 toe. When I take it out for a test drive it feels like crap... Can someone explain to me why the toe feels like its "toe out?"

 

Comon guys.. I have pictures

 

.......Not helpful: Manually aligning stuff sucks (My motorcycle was annoying!)
Totally off topic: > I dislike those studs o_O

'Bump' help this man you smart people!

 

Ensure that your strings are parallel with the center line of the car. You can use a plumb bob from a center point on the chassis and then mark the ground and measure off that. Did you drive the car around a little then remeasure it? If the toe really is as close as you can get it, Id say check bushings, ball joints, tie rods, tire pressures, bearings.


btw- nice paint!

 

Yes, I remember at Big O tires they almost had the same deal which is what I was going to get. I'm thinking that's the last resort if I cant get the DIY toe alignment correct because thats all I need to do. TOE

Yes, I actually changed all the ball joints, inner and outter tie rods and that's why I decided to try and do my own toe alignment. Thanks for the complement. I actually wet sanded the whole car myself.

I actually talked to a guy who did alignment a year ago when I went to GoodYear for my alignment. I asked the guy if he brings his own car here and do the alignments for free since he works there and he tells me why? he just does it at home and tells me that alignments are expensive. I said how accurate is it when you do it by strings? he tells me very accurate if you do it right. I personally like the studs but maybe I should get some better lug nuts.

 

wow after 300 miles? man I better fix this problem quick otherwise..

 

you're supposed to toe in slightly by a close to 0-1.5 degrees equally on each side.

 

I think that actually makes sense... Doesn't toe in help a bit for straight line acceleration?

 

Does anyone know a good civic thread of a DIY alignment? I see DIY threads all over google but on other vehicles. I want to see one for a civic. Please post up a link if you can find it. I searched in the honda search but couldn't find one with pictures.

 

Hopefully people are back from work and school now. So please answer my question if you could.

 

yes it does. its actually what keeps your car going straight if/when you let go of the steering wheel.

 

interesting. However, I believe it will still eat up the tires.. anyways need more suggestions

 

wheres the best place to get an alignment at socal? Big O tires? Goodyear? and whats the warranty for each?

 

maybe take it to a an automotive school with an alignment rack??
at my school we do them for free as long as we dont have other stuff goin on..id do it but im in texas..
when i had my del sol i took a striaght peice of metal and set it on my brake rotor parralel to the car on both sides ...took it to get aligned and it didnt fell any different..?
idk just cause it feels ok doesnt mean its not to far in or out..

 

yeah I remember in high school I had automotive class too.. Wished I had my civic back then. Maybe I can find a place where they do free alignment checks? do you know a place that does that? like Big O tires or something?

 

c_speed has a nice write up

 

^^^ http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/a.../alignment.php

 

yeah I read it already.. I read almost all the articles on the internet already but I still cant figure out how to find the center line with a plumb bob. And the method used on c speed isn't accurate either. They want you to measure it by using strings and going around your bumper. What if your bumpers aren't aligned properly? I might as well just pay for lifetime wheel alignment. This hurts my brain.

 

DO, i think that might be why. Don't know though, maybe its harder to steal with less to grab on?

BTW thanks for not taking the comment up the butt like most of the community would, I was thinking out loud >_>

 

When I do this at home I measure the front of the tire and the back of the tire and make it equal. Its supposed to be like a 1/8 toe inwards.

I find the same exact spot in the tire on the same side.(middle of the tire) Then measure from both sides front and rear. Work everytime

 

It does? have you ever brought it to the alignment shop to see if you were correct?