Slant Six Forum
https://slantsix.org/forum/

Calling any old-school alignment techs
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68643		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Reed [ Sun May 17, 2026 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Calling any old-school alignment techs
I am wrapping up the steering linkage and full front suspension rebuild on my 1976 Dodge D100, so now it is time to align the front end.

I have sourced turntables for the front wheels as well as an old Matco WA600 front end alignment tool.
Attachment:
CASTER TOOL.jpg
CASTER TOOL.jpg [ 120.79 KiB | Viewed 1564 times ]
Attachment:
CASTER TOOL 2.jpg
CASTER TOOL 2.jpg [ 137.61 KiB | Viewed 1564 times ]
To use the tool It looks like I:

(1) turn the wheels straight forward,
(2) set the toe-in,
(3) stick the Matco tool onto the end of a spindle,
(4) turn that spindle 20 degrees inboard,
(5) zero out the camber and caster gauges,
(6) then turn the wheel 20 degrees outboard, and
(7) read the camber and caster settings.
(8) Then adjust as needed and repeat until I get to the target settings.

Camber is adjusted by turning both UCA cam bolts the same amount in or out. Caster is adjusted by turn one UCA cam bolt at a time to achieve the desired reading.

Yes?

My question is does anyone have any experience doing alignments with this tool and do you have any tips to offer me when I try doing my first front end alignment? Am I understanding the adjustment procedure correctly?

Thanks in advance.
Author:  Charrlie_S [ Sun May 17, 2026 5:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Toe is the last thing to set. As you move the pivot points setting the caster and camber the toe will change. What I used to do after a complete front end repair, was to "rough" set the toe, then do the C&C, then the final toe at the end. After each adjutment you should bounce/jounce the front suspension, so it returns to the same ride hight.
Author:  volaredon [ Sun May 17, 2026 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Yup what Charlie said.
Author:  Reed [ Sun May 17, 2026 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.

I have everything (except the control arm pivot bolts) torqued and about half of the new steering linkage greased. I hope to get this truck aligned and mobile again this week. I have some house projects coming up that would be much easier if my little truck was useable.
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Mon May 18, 2026 3:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Toe is last.

When doing this yourself, it can be tedious to center the steering wheel as well.


You may have the toe correct, but it will be off the center of the steering wheel.

I find it is helpful to use a steering column lock if the truck is so equipped (not likely with your model year) or a small bar clamp with the reversible shoe against the seat to hold the wheel straight.


Greg
Author:  Reed [ Mon May 18, 2026 11:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Quote:
Toe is last.

When doing this yourself, it can be tedious to center the steering wheel as well.


You may have the toe correct, but it will be off the center of the steering wheel.

I find it is helpful to use a steering column lock if the truck is so equipped (not likely with your model year) or a small bar clamp with the reversible shoe against the seat to hold the wheel straight.


Greg
Thanks, Greg. Nope, no stering column lock. My truck comes from the days of free and easy auto theft. At least the key stays in the ignition once the cylinder is turned.

I may try and rig up some kind of clamp or brace to hold the wheel centered during the alignment. That might be tricky with my "firm feel" steering wheel. :mrgreen:
Attachment:
STEERINGWHEEL.jpg
STEERINGWHEEL.jpg [ 138.14 KiB | Viewed 1491 times ]
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Mon May 18, 2026 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
I bought this book when I began to do my own alignments:
https://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Steer ... 0136100015

It is the 5th edition. I am sure there are other newer editions. It helped me alot to begin to learn the process.

I rarely take anything to the alignment shop any longer unless it is my FJM bodies, as those cars do not have "cams" for the alignment.

It takes me about 2x as long to do a full setup compared to having it set up at the Alignment Shop, with their Hunter Engineering Laser System and alignment rack, etc. Also, I only have one caster/camber gauge, not 2 or 4 like a shop would.

Greg
Author:  Reed [ Mon May 18, 2026 11:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Thanks again, Greg. I will try and find a copy of that book.
Author:  volaredon [ Mon May 18, 2026 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Quote:

I rarely take anything to the alignment shop any longer unless it is my FJM bodies, as those cars do not have "cams" for the alignment.
Greg
What... You afraid of a "slip shaft" style front end? Back then I was pretty good at those. But yeah I was spoiled with the hunter laser system.
Now a days I can't find anyone in any shop around here that can do an alignment worth a damn. I put new control arms on my Durango and guessed at where to tighten the bolts, took it to a glass shop for a new windshield then straight to an alignment shop and it drives like shyt. I miss the days when I was the alignment guy. Id like to find a set of turn plates and an ammco magnetic camber/ caster gauge.
Author:  Reed [ Mon May 18, 2026 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Quote:
Id like to find a set of turn plates and an ammco magnetic camber/ caster gauge.
When I was shopping for my alignment tools, I found a fair number of the Matco bubble gauges available for reasonable prices. The alignment plates are another matter. I had to buy new Chinese manufactured plates because a set of used older made in the USA plates could not be found for less than $600.

There is a Hunter alignment setup for sale on Facebook within driving distance of me for $400. If I did alignments more often I would get it, but space in my garage is a premium and I can't justify taking it up with an alignment machine.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 154d9f4679

I think that right now a lot of older techs are aging out of the car repair game, or younger techs are changing careers, or shops are closing down, or shops are selling specialty tools for older cars that don't get serviced very often. As a result, you can actually find previously expensive specialty tools and equipment for low prices right now.
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Tue May 19, 2026 6:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Quote:

What... You afraid of a "slip shaft" style front end? Back then I was pretty good at those. But yeah I was spoiled with the hunter laser system.
No Not really, I just do not have the tool or the patience /time for those ones yet.
Author:  volaredon [ Tue May 19, 2026 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Jack it up under that side control arm and just crack those bolts on the control arm and usually I can get a prybar in there and eek it out to where I want it, snug it, lower it and do another caster sweep to check my work. I have the actual f body tools and have had those for years. I used to align a bunch of cars with that style front end adjustment (it's not only an f body thing) and I can't ever remember needing those "special" tools on one. Though working from an actual alignment rack with a slide jack where I could adjust each/ both sides with 1 "jack up session* then do another sweep was nice. You need to hack under the control arm not the body when you go to set one of those.
Author:  Reed [ Thu May 28, 2026 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Calling any old-school alignment techs
Can anyone give me some clear instructions on how to properly use this MATCO alignment tool? The tool only has the instructions printed on it and I have been unable to find any resource online giving the instructions for this tool.
Attachment:
CASTER TOOL.jpg
CASTER TOOL.jpg [ 120.79 KiB | Viewed 93 times ]
Currently I have removed the hub dust caps, cotter pin, and spindle nut retainer from each front wheel to allow the alignment tool to sit flush to the snout of the spindle.

This is my current understanding of how to use the tool.

(1) I first point the tires straight ahead.
(2) I attach the alignment tool to the hub using the built-in magnets and the spring loaded guide.
(3) I measure the camber. I adjust both UCA cams to achieve about -0.5 degrees camber.
(4) After achieving the desired camber, I turn the tires 20 degrees inboard
(5) Using the adjusting knob on the bottom of the tool, I set the caster gauge to zero
(6) I then set the "kingpin or steering axis angle" scale to zero by rotating the body of the tool on the hub
(7) I next turn the wheels 20 degrees outboard and check the caster setting.
(8 ) I then adjust the caster to the desired setting using the UCA cam bolts.
(9) I then return the wheels to straight ahead and repeat the process, verifying camber and caster until satisfied.


QUESTIONS:

(0) Do I have a full and coirrect understanding of how to properly use this tool?
(1) What is the "CAMBER CORRECTION SCALE" and how is it used?
(2) What is the "CASTER CORRECTION SCALE" and how is it used?

Thanks in advance to any skilled experts willing to share their knowledge with me.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC-07:00
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited
https://www.phpbb.com/