How to Measure Caster, Camber, and Toe, at home. Quick Trick Alignment

[@FastMonty]

UPDATE February 2023, Here's the NEW way to string align if you have, or considering buying the Quick Trick System. Check it out; kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeaf4Sdj9mrlbc Subscribe for more, click here; kzbin.info Join the "Full Monty Crew" to support the channel, and get priority tech support! kzbin.info/door/B2KWiUuWR_OFpJtXS94bCQjoin OR, Get your FMG hat, three color combos to choose from, check em out here; www.etsy.com/shop/fastmontysgarage SHIRTS Now Available! Go Here; fast-montys-garage-shop.fourthwall.com/

[@bigbothoee8617]

So much crap on KZbin about alignment this is by far the best easiest explanation that makes sense

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Brother! Much appreciated!

[@63grandsport11]

Thanks, I do this myself. But I enjoyed watching someone else doing while I sat on my can.

[@FastMonty]

Always nice to relax while someone else does the work. ha, ha.. thanks!

[@zachary4225]

Just ordered my kit. Finally I can take my car out the garage when it arrives.

[@FastMonty]

Awesome! Take your time with it... as you know I have several how to videos on this kit, check em out, and let us know if you have any questions! Hint, check out my latest Gen 5 video. That's the full tutorial. Have fun!

[@zachary4225]

@@FastMonty cool thanks. Imma check it out.

[@msquicktrick5068]

Fantastic demo 👌 for those who need a little extra security on the frame when checking toe, you can use the QuickTrick bungees that are included with every kit. 😀 thanks for the excellent demo Monty

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Tess! I wondered what those bungie cords were for... ha, ha... Thank you guys for the support!

[@johnmilner7603]

Now I know why I always go to an alignment shop. LOL. Excellent job explaining the procedure.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks John, yeah, I don't like other people touching my car. Ha, ha... Thanks again!

[@chriscraft77022]

toe and camber can be done without that.. but not the caster.. thanks for the link to the kit you used.. THANK YOU SO MUCH... i will use your code when i buy mine

[@FastMonty]

Awesome... I would look into their Gen 5 product that includes a faster stringing kit. I'm in the middle of filming that video, which will be released sometime in the next few days. Have fun driving straight! ha, ha...

[@QuickTrickTools]

Great job Monty! Looking forward to seeing the others. It's awesome to see one of the first Gen QuickTrick's. We were still machining in our garage back then! Thanks for providing a great channel for DIYers! We're proud to call you #QuickTrickFamily.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks! Really appreciate the support, and love your products.. .glad I inquired of anything new, otherwise I'd still be using the Gen Zero product. Ha, ha... thanks again!

[@gregschultz2029]

Awesome Timing , I’m ready for a Four Wheel Home String Alignment on the 23 T Hotrod With A Straight Axle !!!

[@FastMonty]

Awesome Greg! That's why I'm here... ha, ha... thanks for the comment!

[@southern_merican]

I used bright fishing line and a steel ruler to do my string alignment! More accurate than "brick laying" string

[@gregschultz2029]

@@southern_merican Good Thinking !!!

[@larrybud]

7:00 I'm guessing here, but I imagine neutral caster was because it was pre-power steering, and having positive caster would make the wheels difficult to turn because you'd be fighting against the alignment force.

[@FastMonty]

Yeah, makes perfect sense. Thanks for the comment!

[@gregoryking9348]

EDIT: I just watched your string video. That answered my question. 👍 I'm an industrial mechanic but have been a car guy my whole life. I just never took a run at home alignment. That said, when measuring toe the steering wheel is horizontal and locked of course but doesn't at least one wheel have to be adjusted (via tie rod of course) to be 100% parallel to the frame first? If not then I'm not underatanding how the steering wheel can be perfectly horizontal and the tires dead ahead. Am I overthinking or underthinking this? Seems at least one would have to be true to the steering wheel? Great vid and explanation of steering dynamics. Seriously considering springing for the kit but...ouch. 😂

[@FastMonty]

Ha! I was just about to leave a note, to watch my string video. ha, ha... that said, make sure you see my latest review of the QT system that includes a stringing attachment. Here; kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5SydJqgdsl1m5Ysi=BQv-OCeNypgEHtxM Have fun, and thanks for the comment!

[@AllanI3374]

Grease 8:12 in between works perfect!

[@FastMonty]

Love it! Thanks!

[@ES4406]

Great Demo job on this video! The best!

[@FastMonty]

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[@thebandit4393]

Nice video Mike - much more put together than the quick videos I did a while back. I was looking to get a pair of turn plates and came across your discount code; that came in handy today. I hope they work as well for me as they look to be working for you.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Brother! Yeah, I LOVE those turn plates... the first time I did it was a borderline disaster using cardboard and sand in between... lol Thanks for the comment!

[@thebandit4393]

@@FastMonty I used folded over trashbags and tape markings on the floor for +/-20deg. It worked well and made turning the wheels easy, but I want to make sure I'm accurate on the +/-20deg. I love DIY alignment. I am using toe plates, but I would also like to make some bars and hangers for doing string alignment with the bars hung off the car like the cool racecar people do.

[@FastMonty]

@@thebandit4393 Agreed... I just don't like anyone touching my car. ha. ha... did you see my stringing video yet? That might give you some ideas... See ya!

[@Rick-O-Shay60]

Way Cool Tool. (Although too pricey for my budget) Thanks for this Mike. Looking forward to the adjustments.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Rickey! Yeah, I love it... I'll sell you my First gen kit. :) Clearly the best part of the tool kit is the fixture and scales. Anyway, thanks for the comment, and yes, I can't wait to get this thing adjusted correctly too. See ya!

[@mrDADtheSecond]

You said negative camber for older vehicles, and positive cambee for modern vehicles? I seen somewhere, where thats opposite 🤷

[@FastMonty]

Actually, I said Caster. But, to your point... yes, front wheel drive cars typically have negative caster. But, rear wheel drive cars ALL have positive caster. Thanks!

[@waltercobb4675]

Oil depends on how greasy I had scared or whatever but you might want to get those sheets of paper laminated I'll stick it in the Bangor Plastics

[@FastMonty]

Not sure what you're talking about... ?

[@pitdusk8]

Just use a thread and a gauge level, you will save $1000

[@FastMonty]

bubble gauges for caster cost around $200, the basic Quick Trick kit is under that, and you can measure toe. Thanks.

[@Mavrick-5]

My question is why do we have to multiply the 6 degrees by 1.5 ?

[@FastMonty]

Cuz the instructions say so? Ha, ha... kidding. Clearly someone figured it out. I don't have the scientific reason, but it's the way it's done with this kit. Thanks!

[@NicholasRiviera-Dr]

Found this on another KZbin video. I don’t completely understand it but the maths seems to make sense: If you are using a 40 degree sweep (20 degree out to 20 degrees in) then you multiple the camber change by (180/3.14)/40 which is about 1.43. If you use a 30 degree sweep, you'd multiply by about 1.91. (180/3.14)/30 which is about 1.91. In general terms, you are multiplying the difference in camber measurements by the inverse of the sweep angle converted from degrees to radians. Using the approximations of 1.5 and 2 are certainly reasonable given the limited precision of the camber measuring device.

[@FastMonty]

@@NicholasRiviera-Dr That's awesome! Thanks for sharing some of the math break down, that helps me feel better too... ha, ha... thanks again!

[@NicholasRiviera-Dr]

@@FastMonty I’m in the process of doing my own wheel alignment and trying to understand some of the measurements behind it. Once you do some research and understand what is actually going on, I consider the string method to be very reliable. Let’s face it, what did they do before the fancy computers? I have a feeling the computers have been setup in such a way that anyone with a small amount of training can setup the computer and then interpret the results and make a couple of adjustments. I would think the results would be similar to the string method, just easier for the guy doing the job and a pretty printout for the customer

[@FastMonty]

@@NicholasRiviera-Dr Agreed. Stringing is great, but for Toe settings. If you haven't seen it yet, I did a video on how to String your car, here; kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqnNao2Nn7WNiKM That said, quickTrick now has a string option for their kits, which makes string aligning even easier... check out my video on that too... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeaf4Sdj9mrlbc Have fun!

[@glenfelkey4994]

I have a 2005 ford focus with the tires are wearing on the inside of the tire. How do I fix this

[@FastMonty]

Good question... You need an alignment. I'm not an expert on late model Fords, so I can't answer how to fix it... it's either poor camber, poor toe, or both. Let us know what you find out. (Or, not enough air in the tires, but I'm sure you checked that already)

[@CharlesLease-ei1ee]

First off you need to check that front end out you got a ball joint lower control arm bushings gone something is loose under that front end or your camber is way out so basically you need to check that front end if you don’t know how to do it, take it to a front and shop or somebody knows how to check it correctly and they’ll give you the list of parts to put on it

[@FastMonty]

@@CharlesLease-ei1ee Thanks Charles!

[@johnkozero6842]

Nice video informative thanks 👍👍👍👍👍💯

[@FastMonty]

Thanks John! Have fun!

[@byronboudreaux8542]

I love the kit but they no longer give you levels for both sides so you have to keep moving it from side to side

[@FastMonty]

Really? I know they several different versions of their kit. Like one level versus having two on hand. I'll check it out. Thanks, for the comment!

[@billywillis4194]

I know this is an old video but the way you measured the caster , the 6 degrees is your caster measurement . You don't have to do the math with the 1.5 number .

[@FastMonty]

Hmmm, not what I was told by QuickTrick. Big difference between the two measurements. Thanks.

[@billywillis4194]

@@FastMonty I may be wrong but when you turn the wheel out and zero the gauge then turn the wheel in that is your caster measurement . If all you have is a gauge to measure camber you turn the wheel out get a reading then turn the wheel in and get a reading and take the two and multiply by 1.5 and thats your caster reading . I may be wrong but thats how I understand it from the research I have done .

[@FastMonty]

@@billywillis4194 I hear you, but the way I did it is the way you do it. 40 degrees total sweep, multiplied by 1.5 is your Caster. Thanks!

[@billywillis4194]

@@FastMonty Must be a difference in the digital type gauge like you have and the bubble type . I have a fast trax and a longacre bubble type and the instructions are to turn out 20 degree and zero the gauge and do the 40 degree sweep and the reading is the caster measurement .

[@billywillis4194]

Curiosity was killing me so I just tried it with a digital gauge the way you did it and the results were almost the same as the bubble gauge so I guess there is a difference in what type gauge you use .

[@cartracer64]

great video, which spindles and control arms do you use. are they the g-plus?

[@FastMonty]

Thanks, yup G plus, with stock spindles.

[@cartracer64]

@@FastMonty btw did you have a video on the suspension, not dropped spindles.

[@FastMonty]

@@cartracer64 Not yet... yes, I have dropped spindles.

[@mathewshackelford8037]

I've never heard of the tile trick but in aviation, when we need to operate the steering, we sandwich bearing grease (not a lot) between two thin sheets of steel and park the tires on that and it allows the tires to tire freely Also, the kit on their page doesn't mention the scales, do those come with the kit or are they purchased separately?

[@FastMonty]

Ohhh, good trick with the grease. The Combo kit link comes with everything I showed off. But, yes, you can hunt around their site and buy each piece individually. Thanks for the comment!

[@mathewshackelford8037]

Ended up buying the kit with your discount code. Thanks again!

[@FastMonty]

@@mathewshackelford8037 Nice! Glad I was able to help... have fun!

[@richardwallinger1683]

I have just checked the caster on my 2021 Fiat Panda Hybrid . using cardboard empty corn flakes plastic bg and offcuts of swimming pool liner all lubricated with rubber grease .both front macpherson struts are showing 1.5 degrees caster over a 40 degree steering swing . Multiplying this for Macpherson struts by 1.5 reveals a final reading of 2.25 degrees caster . My Panda has super light steering on main roads I cannot see how to increase the caster without some metal fabrication / surgery . Why have Fiat gone for such a low caster angle .. the super light power steering isnt even needed in city driving .. I have never even tried the CITY mode for the power steering .

[@FastMonty]

Good question Richard... Most new cars have fixed Caster. If it's a sports car, there's most likely an aftermarket kit available to change the caster. I mention that in my latest video about String Aligning. I have no idea why manufacturers do what they do. Ha, ha... Thanks!

[@rangeraficionado87]

Where in the instruction sheet does it say that the caster number is opposite when it says the number is negative?

[@FastMonty]

Great question... it doesn't. The instructions actually say to ignore the +/- arrows. Reason is 90%+ of the cars on the road are Positive Caster from the factory. Unless you have a front wheel drive car. Best thing to do is to estimate the top and bottom pivot point of your knuckle, with a straight edge. If it's leaning back, you have a positive caster car, if forward, it's negative. Hope that makes sense... let me know what you find out.

[@emcube38]

i need more info i have change upper and lower a arms tubular and bearing bushings coilovers and drop spindles 87 g body new tie rods and i am all the way off. how do you kno where to mark zero on plate?

[@emcube38]

why do you multiply the 6° x1.5° because 1.5 caster is what you need or because it was the previous measurement at 0?

[@FastMonty]

@@emcube38 Good question... because the instructions say to do that? Ha, ha... Not sure about the science, but that's what you need to do with these tools. Thanks!

[@FastMonty]

@@emcube38 Good question... for the swivel plates, it doesn't matter where you mark it. You then adjust the magnetic gauge to your mark, and you'll have your angle measurement. Hope that helps.

[@jsatre5504]

As always another great video Mike thanks for sharing. I was wondering how your GTO is running after that lifter failure a few yrs ago? Did you ever come up with a specific cause for the failure?

[@jsatre5504]

I'm in the process of installing a custom grind hyd roller comp cam from butler and johnson lifters. Also butler stroker kit and edelbrock heads. I'm a little nervous about the same lifter issue. Hoping the made in usa johnson lifters will make a difference

[@FastMonty]

Thanks J, yeah no root cause analysis was shared with my original lifter failure. But, as compared to the Johnson lifters I have now, they're way more robust where the cross bar attaches to the lifter.

[@FastMonty]

@@jsatre5504 Awesome! Yeah, mine are running like a sewing machine. :) Keep in mind, all lifter companies have failures, make sure you review my lifter install video and clean them thoroughly, before oiling them. Have fun!

[@bigbothoee8617]

The mounting at the bottom is not fully on when you turn 40deg

[@FastMonty]

Great catch! The toe bar was hitting the ramp, so I re-adjusted. Doesn't affect the "how to" of the video, but did change the reading by about .3 degrees. Thanks for looking out!

[@petermathews9298]

Thanks

[@FastMonty]

Welcome!

[@andrewnewman1248]

It looked like your tool moved when you were measuring caster I think that’s why you had too high reading

[@FastMonty]

Good catch, Andrew. Yeah, the toe bar hit the lift. I adjusted and re-measured. It was only a .3 degree difference. Not to worry, I fixed it in the next video. :) Thanks for the comment!

[@andrewnewman1248]

Thanks for the informative video it’s nice to have people like you ,helping do it yourself people .I am setting up some alignment tools ,because we have paid to have wheel alignments done and they have done a lousy job even with a fancy machine. tools like yours would be great to help people at home get a good job done. Regards from Australia 🇦🇺

[@FastMonty]

@@andrewnewman1248 Thanks Andrew! Yeah, I've been there too... check out the quicktrick alignment website, they have bare bones versions of what I was using... like just the scale and T Bar only. Massive help over any other tools available. Have fun!

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

Super expensive tire pivots. I bought them anyway. The quality of the parts is not too good, but you can make them work better.

[@FastMonty]

Agreed they're not "Low Cost", I honestly don't know what steel roll on wheel plates should cost? Anyway, please share how you made them work "better". Thanks!

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

@@FastMonty Hey people who maintain their own cars. I bought the $400 quick trick alignment set. It is just Ok in my opinion. The aluminum square tubing is simple like from Ace Hardware. Some of the bolts are too long and some of the bolts aren’t well thought out. I had to lengthen the attachments to the wheels. I bought extended barrel nuts and modified the attachments. Then I cut shorter some of the bolts and used thumb screws for quickness of attachments. The Allen wrenches were cumbersome. I bought the tire swivel plates for, I think about $250. They are really simple, but I must say they made the work really easy compared to sheets of hard plastic. The most impressive part of the kit is the carrying case. It is padded and zippered and looks like a short rifle case. $650 and now I can learn to do my own alignments. So far so good. Oh, the instructions are basic so expect to go hunting for more info on alignment ideas and practices. That’s my 2 cents. :)

[@FastMonty]

@@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver Good stuff! Thanks for sharing... so, my latest video on this subject, they added an option for different length standoffs, and I used them to mount on the inside of the lip, instead of the outside... that might give you some ideas too... here it is... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeaf4Sdj9mrlbc Thanks again for the comments!

[@Corn_Pops_Rusty_Razor]

​@@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEverthanks for the honest feedback. The only reviews I can find are from people who received the product for free.

[@metalbill]

From one Pontiac guy to another. I like your GTO. Check out my alignment video on my TransFormula! I’ve been using the trash bag truck for years!

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Bill! Yup, the trash bag trick works. I like the added dial indicator on the plates. Will check out your channel! Thanks for the comment!

[@jezzie1965]

Man that thing barely runs 😂😂

[@FastMonty]

Yup, a little cold.

[@onetransmission7871]

This is total complete nonsense. Not even close. I've done wheel alignment for 60 years.

[@FastMonty]

Really? You're 80 years old, and have never done it this way? Please explain the correct method. Or, better yet, post a video about how to do it "the right way".

[@larrybud]

Explain what's wrong so we all can learn.

[@KoolBreeze420]

You're, spending $700.00 to a $1000. plus you're time to save $120. to $200 at a garage? This just doesn't make financial sense to me.

[@FastMonty]

If you're getting your 2012 Nissan Altima's alignment checked once every five years, I'd agree with you. But, if you have a sports car, or lifted truck you drive hard, OR Modified Suspension, OR take said vehicle to the track or off road, OR don't trust anyone with your car, this kit is perfect. (Oh, and basic camber/caster kits start lower than $200) Thanks for the comment!

[@gsx69bun]

Still worth it, do your cars a couple of times , Mebbe some friends, And the not ever having to make an appointment

[@johnmichaeltwist5086]

Every time you swallow between sentences it's heard and disgusting. Consider placing your mike away from your throat.

[@FastMonty]

I'll look into it. But, pretty sure I'm inhaling. Not swallowing. Thanks.