String Alignment

[rzundel]

Will someone please explain to me what a String Alignment is? I've been told this is more precise than laser and what the guys do at the track? I'm getting new coilovers installed and will be getting a string alignment and corner balance. Anyone with experience with this?

[Mike@PureMS]

A string alignment is just that, an alignment performed using string and rulers instead of lasers.

Is it more accurate than lasers? All depends on how good the person performing the alignment is.

[rzundel]

How many performance shops use this method? Can you get a good alignment using this approach?

[RAudi Driver]

Just go to Darrin and call it a day.

[road race s4]

I personally don't know of any shops that use the string method. I know you can use the string method to get your car to a shop after you do any suspension work in your driveway. I've also seem some autoxers do the string method in parking lots. Its crude but it will get you close.

[Mike@PureMS]

How many performance shops use this method? Can you get a good alignment using this approach?

None.

A real alignment shop will use a machine. It's light years faster.

[rzundel]

I am told that no one usually does this for street cars because it is very time consuming. However, many race cars are set up this way. Apparently it is more precise than laser. There are reputable shops here in SoCal that use this method when they do full setups including corner balancing.

[ProfileX]

Years ago on a road trip, my Toyota truck slid off the road on ice in a small town, I had to leave it there while parts were on order. One of the things they charged me for was an alignment. My dad gave me a ride to pick it up, on the way back we got on the highway and the thing was bouncing so bad I thought the cab was going to separate from the bed!

I pull over and tell my dad we need to go back and get the alignment fixed, he pulls out some string and climbs under the truck, and I thought he had lost his mind. After that it ran smoother than ever. I wouldn't have believed it if it I didn't see it.

[Beelzeebub]

I had a string alignment done to my car in the Philippines. I can't quite remember what shop it was, but it was in a rural place and so according to the owner, none of the local auto shops could afford modern equipment/machines for alignments. So they used strings instead. Needless to say, my car still ran like a POS even after the alignment job.

[mad70sx]

I had a string alignment done to my car in the Philippines.

First time in Olongopo City? You cherryboy? You take my Mother,she virgin,5 dollar.

Ahhhh......nothing like being in the Navy at port in the Phillipines as an 18 year old punk kid. The memories.......

[Beelzeebub]

First time in Olongopo City? You cherryboy? You take my Mother,she virgin,5 dollar.

Ahhhh......nothing like being in the Navy at port in the Phillipines as an 18 year old punk kid. The memories.......

Sadly, I never got to go to Olongapo City during it's heydays. But Manila was fine enough. "Thai" massage anyone?

[stedsS4]

Can anyone recommend a good alignment shop in NYC area? Estimated cost? Thanks.

[4ringking]

It's actually called a poor mans alignment. A person that is performing a Audi alignment
should be trained and know how to set the vehicle up in order to get the front and rear angles set right, I see outside shops mess Audi up all the time.... add strings I could only imagine the outcome

[jba]

Can anyone recommend a good alignment shop in NYC area? Estimated cost? Thanks.

http://www.tyrolsport.com

[Bravest NY S4]

http://www.tyrolsport.com

I second that...they're the only shop I deal with in NYC. Period.

[rzundel]

It's actually called a poor mans alignment. A person that is performing a Audi alignment
should be trained and know how to set the vehicle up in order to get the front and rear angles set right, I see outside shops mess Audi up all the time.... add strings I could only imagine the outcome

Sorry, but far from the "poor mans" alignment. The cost is about 3x using a normal alignment machine. Very labor intensive. Many race cars are set up using string, rulers and levels because it is more precise. Of course, you need to have someone who knows what they are doing or it will be all screwed up.

[road race s4]

Sorry, but far from the "poor mans" alignment. The cost is about 3x using a normal alignment machine. Very labor intensive. Many race cars are set up using string, rulers and levels because it is more precise. Of course, you need to have someone who knows what they are doing or it will be all screwed up.

So go with the string alignment, you already made up your mind that string alignment is the way to go even though everyone here is telling you the string alignment is not better than the laser machines but you don't listen.

[rzundel]

So go with the string alignment, you already made up your mind that string alignment is the way to go even though everyone here is telling you the string alignment is not better than the laser machines but you don't listen.

Sorry, I'm looking for someone who has actually performed a string alignment to solicite their opinion on the result. By your comment I concluded that you didn't have first hand knowledge. I know guys that use the string method on their $200K Porsche RS track cars. I was simply trying to see if anyone here has used this method on their street driven Audi. It's not about having my mind made up, it's about looking for feedback with someone who has credibility on the topic. Thanks for your opinion anyways.

[rzundel]

I just wanted to post one of several replys I received from the Rennlist Porsche forum on the same topic. I am new to this string alignment concept and that is why I am trying to learn more about it. I appreciated comments from folks like this that are well schooled on the topic. (this guy drives a GT3 RS) Thought I would share.


NJ-GT
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 3,338

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String alignment is what I have been getting on my cars for the last 4 years. Yes, it is time consuming, and yes it is better than a machine.

Most machines out there are out of calibration. I would take my car to one place with a state of the art Hunter alignment equipment, go somewhere else to get a reading, and the specs were way off. My gut feeling is that my cars drove better when the alignment was done with strings.

In the L.A. area I know of two highly praised shops to perform alignments.

I think strings are the only way to go. Race teams use the same method. The only painful part with the the 996/997 (and Boxster/Coxster) is setting rear toe and rear camber, almost an impossible job to get done with the crappy eccentric bolts, but this is a problem despite of the alignment method being used.

Fact.
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Rennlist Member #: 040525-3732

[Mike@PureMS]

One of the reason string alignments are done by race drivers is the ability to perform this alignment at the race track. It doesn't require any special equipment. It's this convenience and lack of cost that makes it popular with track guys. Not because it's more accurate. The accuracy on ANY alignment depends on the tech.

[rzundel]

One of the reason string alignments are done by race drivers is the ability to perform this alignment at the race track. It doesn't require any special equipment. It's this convenience and lack of cost that makes it popular with track guys. Not because it's more accurate. The accuracy on ANY alignment depends on the tech.

Mike, I agree that alignments are only as good as their techs. I guess I'm just a bit disappointed that so many on this forum quickly jumped to the conclusion that Strings were only the "cheap mans alignment" verses I went over to my Rennlist Porsche forum and asked the same question from the GT2 and GT3 Porsche guys and they had a completely different take. While I agree with you about guys like to use this method at the tracks because it is convenient, I do believe there are a lot of high end shops that choose to only use this method because of accuracy.

Here is another posting I got today that confirms my point:

CoGT3
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Stuart, FL
Posts: 88

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The race shop that services my car also does only string alignments. They have had the Hunter machines and also complain about calibration issues. They do support for GT3 cup and Grand Am teams, both DP and GT. Strings are what they use track side for set up, seems if its good info for them, it should be good enough for us mortals.

[RAudi Driver]

None.

A real alignment shop will use a machine. It's light years faster.

Tell that to Darrin at West End.

[rzundel]

Tell that to Darrin at West End.

What does Darrin use?

[WinterRunner]

Is it worth corner balancing if your running stock setups? I'm due for an alignment and would like to also get CB'ed. Any thoughts?

[4ringking]

If your vehicle is a Quatrro, spend the $200 and get it done by the guys who know how to set it up right. Those "high end shop" pitch that string alignments are the best because they don't have the funds to buy a Hunter Alignment Machine (at $50,000, I don't either). I went to UTI and was taught how to do string alignments, and they are accurate, but I've also have do over 100 alignments on two different laser alignment machines, been to Audi's Hunter Alignment Training, and it the only way I would align my car or recommend to a friend. You want to save a couple of bucks.... buy a Honda. When you find the guy to do you string alignment, let me know what type of tire wear issues you have after about 10k miles. Can you set your "raised toe adjustment" with I string??????? Most likely not

[kannon]

the alms challenge team i work for uses strings to align our porsches. works fine. but its not like lasers are going to be less accurate than a string. they are all giving you a straight line to measure off of.

[rzundel]

If your vehicle is a Quatrro, spend the $200 and get it done by the guys who know how to set it up right. Those "high end shop" pitch that string alignments are the best because they don't have the funds to buy a Hunter Alignment Machine (at $50,000, I don't either). I went to UTI and was taught how to do string alignments, and they are accurate, but I've also have do over 100 alignments on two different laser alignment machines, been to Audi's Hunter Alignment Training, and it the only way I would align my car or recommend to a friend. You want to save a couple of bucks.... buy a Honda. When you find the guy to do you string alignment, let me know what type of tire wear issues you have after about 10k miles. Can you set your "raised toe adjustment" with I string??????? Most likely not

Okay, I've had enough of the ignorant statements coming from some of the guys on this post. Let me be clear on something, this has nothing to do about finding a "cheap" method to align my car. It's about accuracy. Why is it that I posted this same question over on my favorite Porsche forum with guys that are driving $125k-$200k GT2's and GT3's and their response was totally different? (Okay, so I also drive Porsches) After about 20 responses, all but 1 was very positive on the String method. In fact, most said that it was the only way they would align their car because of accuracy. So, what's the difference? I would say experience. I would suggest if you don't have personal experience on a topic, you leave your opinion to yourself. I'm not looking for opinions but looking for first hand knowledge. I guess I would have expected a different response from someone who is a trained and certified tech. Thanks.