| [GMCnet] The DIY alignment kit is progressing nicely [message #139093] |
Sun, 14 August 2011 13:52  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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After learning first hand that even competent wheel alignment shops struggle to properly align our 35 year old GMC motorhomes, I set out to develop a kit that would allow any owner to achieve a better and more consistent alignment.
My objectives were:
1) Simple enough that even non-mechanical owners could at least check their alignment anywhere they have a flat, level, paved area whether at home or at a rally.
2) Robust enough that the kit could be shipped or carried from user to user without damage.
3) Able to accurately measure ride height, camber, caster and toe to better than factory specified tolerances without needing to lift the motorhome or tires off of the ground.
4) Inexpensive enough that each of the clubs can afford to buy one and make it available to their members and inexpensive enough that more mechanically inclined owners might wish to buy one for their own use.
5) Optimized for use on coaches with Alcoa aluminum wheels as these are the most common of the 16” wheels. The old 16 1/2” steel wheels are so old, warped and bent that I did not think it would make sense to try to design around them.
I intend for the kits to contain an accurate story stick for measuring ride height, a pair of stand off plates that accurately reflect the plane of the rim and a pair of turntables with accurate marks for center and 20 degrees each way that are less than 1/2" high so the coach can be driven onto them without lifting the coach or the wheels off the ground. I am designing the kits so you can use any form of magnetic mount digital angle meter or commercial camber/caster gauge you wish.
So far things are progressing nicely. The stand offs are designed, the jigs built and the first prototype set constructed. I am using four point rim registration and positive mounting so once in place the standoff plates will remain in place thought the whole of the measurement process. The standoff plates are constructed of 1.5 x .5" rectangular steel tube finished in black crinkle paint. The standoff pins are nylon tipped so they will not mar or mark the aluminum wheels. The evaluation set of turntables should be ready by the end of next week or early the following week. The story stick is jigged and the first prototype unit constructed. I have tested the standoffs with both a Wixley digital angle meter and a commercial vial type camber/caster gauge and they appear to work equally as well and equally as easily.
These standoffs have a lower horizontal member that is long enough to project beyond the front and rear of the the wheels. With standoffs mounted on both front wheels it is really easy to accurately measure total toe. If the turntables work correctly, the coach can be driven onto them without lifting the wheels off the ground so you will be measuring the alignment as it is when the coach is being driven. It looks like you will also be able to make all the alignment adjustments without lifting the coach or the wheels IF you know enough to follow the proper safety precautions.
I will keep you posted as this all comes together. And, yes, I will give a seminar at the upcoming rallies that will include parts and dimensions if you want to build one yourself and donate it to your club instead of having them buy one of these.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
Visitors always welcome!
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
541-592-5360
Founder of the Southern Oregon Guild
www.southernoregonguild.org
Member of the Siskiyou Guild
www.siskiyouguild.org
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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