Subframe alignment help.

[Simonson1982]

I've recently had my subframe off and didnt use the alignment tools stupidly. How can I align my subframe back up? The cars veering on acceleration a d decelerating now. I've been told to use the pins and put them dead center but dont really know what's ment by that. Any help please.

[Crasher]

It is the side consuls that move, they need to be set up during four wheel alignment and ALL new bolts must be used or they can stretch and parts start shifting around. The purpose of the pins is to maintain the alignment during work, not to set it.

[Simonson1982]

So now I'm in my predicament. Is there a way to re align the subframe?

[Crasher]

Yes, take it to an alignment centre. When we do this we fit new bolts but only apply the torque, not the angle and tell the alignment centre to do the same, then when it comes back we put it on the lift, apply the toque to make sure it is correct (back off and re apply if too much), then the stretch angle and mark the bolts with yellow paint. If we need to take a bolt out we do it one at a time so as not to disturb the alignment.

[Simonson1982]

Is there no way for me to do this myself, or dies it require specialist tools?

[Crasher]

You need wheel alignment equipment, basically a camber and tracking gauge. You can buy a camber gauge on Amazon for a tenner and make your own taking gauge using accurately machined wood strips and string plus a tape measure, I just send customers cars to Nottingham Alignment and on my own car the other week, use my Dunlop camber, caster and tracking gauges I have had for decades.

[DMitch16]

I do mine with a magnetic camber guage mounted to a straight bar with soft feet to protect the wheels, laser beam spirit levels, large wide steel tape measures, DIY wheel jigs to hold the laser levels. To align a subframe from scratch I use all of the above plus copious measurements of the distances between tyres and bodywork / arches, ride heights, distances from subframe to edge of chassis etc., etc. Takes me about 2 hours to do one with the help of my 76 year old father! In a double garage with a perfectly level floor just nipping the new bolts to start with. Then I take it to a mate at a tyre place to check the alignment (no charge :-) ) but has not been out yet. If you have a feel for this stuff you'll know if the alignment is not right when you drive it as mine has a certain feel when it is dead on and an awful one when it is out of alignment in any way!

[Simonson1982]

Ok probably best just to take it to an alignment centre. Next question is about the spacers upgrade. I can see them on ebay but are 20 odd quid. Can I just use my own spacers or is there something unique about them? Thanks for the help guys