Hi guys,

I need to get my car aligned since my steering wheel is no longer centered. I like a car that is pretty neutral when I am driving at the track/autocross. Unfortunately, my wife drives my car from time to time (and sometimes in the wet) and I am weary about trying to have the car too neutral for the street (I know people should not be driving at the limit on the street).

I was wondering if there was any cheap/mildly efficient way to try to adjust the camber/toe without sophisticated alignment equipment. I don't need to be very exact (I know I need a machine for that), but looking for a cheap way to adjust the handling a little bit.

Any ideas? Thanks for your time!

 

Nothing that I would consider easy or cheap. You'll need some type of equipment to measure caster/camber and toe. Even cheap bubble gauges and toe plates are pretty pricey. Time consuming as well.

Best to take you car to a reputable alignment shop where you can switch between 2 spec lists.

 

I wouldn't recommend doing it, but here's an idea that might work:

Take your car for an alignment to your specs. When you get home, mark the position of all adjustment bolts.

Take your car for an alignment to your wife's specs. When you get home, use a different type of mark to mark the position of all adjustment bolts.

Now you can switch back and forth between the two settings. Make sure that you mark all of the adjustment bolts, because each setting interacts with the others.

 

1.) Get another set of rims and run less stagger. 2.)Or even cheaper- buy an adjustable front swaybarand have the car aligned to neutral specs. When the wifey drives it, have the front sway bar set to very stiff to induce understeer. When you drive it, have it set looser. 3.)Cheaper yeat, disconnect the rear sway bar when she drives, put it back on when you drive.

Or send her to performance driving school

 

Or just don't let her drive your car. Voila! Problem solved.