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[GMCnet] DIY alignment, another version [message #138085] Mon, 08 August 2011 17:09 Go to next message
glwgmc is currently offline  glwgmc   United States
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
Senior Member
Hi Ken,

I won't know anything real until I get a set in my hot little hands and see what they do and don't offer. I have been looking for two primary things to fit the needs of what I hear most on this forum - 1) cheap and 2) low enough they do not require lifting the wheels off the ground or compensating rear blocks. I am trying to mitigate the suspension settling time issue if I can.

The idea for the kit I have in mind is one that nearly anyone can use. It would include a set of instructions including your caster = x times camber change where x = 1.91 for a 15 degree turn and x = 1.43 for a 20 degree turn each way. Hardware would include front and rear ride height blocks for simple go/no go measurements, roll-on turn plates with a simple to use 15 or 20 degree turn indicator, a digital level, a tire stand off that will clear the lug nuts and hub covers on Alcoa rims and which sports toe measuring arms that clear the front and rear of the front tires in the straight ahead position and a tape measure.

This should be sufficient for anyone at home or a rally where there is a handy flat concrete slab can at least check their ride height and alignment. If they want to actually change the alignment and feel comfortable with the safety requirements they would be able to do so. If this goes together, and if there is sufficient interest, then I will be recommending a rental fee and a time limit so every user has skin in the game (no "I want it free" in my vocabulary) and so every club member would have an equal shot if and when they want it. If it is used at rallies, I will be recommending a seminar showing how the kit is to be used followed by each interested person performing the check themselves with instructor supervision so they know what is going on and how to do it themselves.

For those who wish to raise the coach and place the turn plates under the wheels where lateral movement is required, I have a method in mind but will wait until I see these units before talking more about it. I do expect them to have good, accurate angle scales but only at the zero, 15 and 20 degree marks. Hope this helps.

PS - check out my new http://jerrywork.com web site and let me know what your think. It contains a GMC section that I will be expanding significantly over the next several months.

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

Message: 17
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:15:09 -0400
From: Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] DIY alignment, another version
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Message-ID:
<CANsh1i0zFCDBswhY2Ed_U6Y4hpN7R18bhsNd7=WsSnhaP_M5FQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Jerry,

Do the turn plates you're considering permit lateral movement as well as
rotation? Without that feature, I don't see how any turn plate can be of
any value since the wheels must be able to move laterally when lowered onto
the plates. If they have good, accurate, angle scales, even I'd be
interested.

Thanks,

Ken H.




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
Re: [GMCnet] DIY alignment, another version [message #138102 is a reply to message #138085] Mon, 08 August 2011 19:06 Go to previous message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Jerry,

Great web site! Well arranged, well written, with great photos.

Complaints:

1. I don't care much for light shades of print -- too hard on old eyes.

2. I'm jealous of all the great equipment. Makes my old Craftsmen stuff
look decrepit (like their owner).

3. I resent all those shots of immaculate shop space -- how some with real
work, chaos, & wood shavings everywhere?

4. Never did find an example of the output from the "rose machine"! (By
the way, re-read the first line of the write up -- I don't really think it's
a "cleaver design".)

If I ever get to take our long-delayed trip to the Northwest, I know one of
the "MUST" stops.

Oh yeah, I'm going to lay awake nights worrying about your expensive
converter, inverter, etc., sharing the same space with sulphuric acid fumes.

I like your alignment kit so far. But even with our great Bean Station
rally every year, our Dixielanders' tool kit doesn't get much member usage
-- I'm not sure adding an alignment kit will be of much benefit.

Ken H.


On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 6:09 PM, Work Jerry <glwork@mac.com> wrote:

> Hi Ken,
>
> I won't know anything real until I get a set in my hot little hands and see
> what they do and don't offer. I have been looking for two primary things to
> fit the needs of what I hear most on this forum - 1) cheap and 2) low enough
> they do not require lifting the wheels off the ground or compensating rear
> blocks. I am trying to mitigate the suspension settling time issue if I
> can.
>
> The idea for the kit I have in mind is one that nearly anyone can use. It
> would include a set of instructions including your caster = x times camber
> change where x = 1.91 for a 15 degree turn and x = 1.43 for a 20 degree turn
> each way. Hardware would include front and rear ride height blocks for
> simple go/no go measurements, roll-on turn plates with a simple to use 15
> or 20 degree turn indicator, a digital level, a tire stand off that will
> clear the lug nuts and hub covers on Alcoa rims and which sports toe
> measuring arms that clear the front and rear of the front tires in the
> straight ahead position and a tape measure.
>
> This should be sufficient for anyone at home or a rally where there is a
> handy flat concrete slab can at least check their ride height and alignment.
> If they want to actually change the alignment and feel comfortable with the
> safety requirements they would be able to do so. If this goes together, and
> if there is sufficient interest, then I will be recommending a rental fee
> and a time limit so every user has skin in the game (no "I want it free" in
> my vocabulary) and so every club member would have an equal shot if and when
> they want it. If it is used at rallies, I will be recommending a seminar
> showing how the kit is to be used followed by each interested person
> performing the check themselves with instructor supervision so they know
> what is going on and how to do it themselves.
>
> For those who wish to raise the coach and place the turn plates under the
> wheels where lateral movement is required, I have a method in mind but will
> wait until I see these units before talking more about it. I do expect them
> to have good, accurate angle scales but only at the zero, 15 and 20 degree
> marks. Hope this helps.
>
> PS - check out my new http://jerrywork.com web site and let me know what
> your think. It contains a GMC section that I will be expanding
> significantly over the next several months.
>
> 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
>
> Message: 17
> Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:15:09 -0400
> From: Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] DIY alignment, another version
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Message-ID:
> <CANsh1i0zFCDBswhY2Ed_U6Y4hpN7R18bhsNd7=WsSnhaP_M5FQ@mail.gmail.com
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Jerry,
>
> Do the turn plates you're considering permit lateral movement as well as
> rotation? Without that feature, I don't see how any turn plate can be of
> any value since the wheels must be able to move laterally when lowered onto
> the plates. If they have good, accurate, angle scales, even I'd be
> interested.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ken H.
>
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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