Build your own alignment tool for under $10

Materials | Tools | Assembly | Diagram

Materials	(1) 10-foot (you really only need 7-feet) piece of 1-inch diameter white PVC pipe. (2) "T" shaped white PVC joints to fit 1" diameter pipe. The third hole should be threaded to fit a standard sprinkler riser. (2) 10-inch gray sprinkler risers. These are threaded only at each end. I think the gray ones are a little stiffer than the black cut-to-size ones. (2) 1/2-inch long screws (just about any tipe will work, nothing too fat though). (2) 2-inch x 1/2-inch metal tabs with screw-sized hole in one end (paperclips would probably even work--these are used to touch the tire in the tread grooves). Back to Top
Tools	Screwdriver Grinding dremel tool or drill with grinding bit (I used a round, flat 1-inch diameter grinding bit and a regular coned grinding bit) or cylindrical file. A drill helps to predrill the screw holes, but self-starting screws would probably work. Back to Top
Assembly	Clean the outside of the long pipe. They're usually pretty dirty and you'll need the "T" joints to slide down the pipe. Attach one "T" joint to the end of the pipe. Using your grinding tool of choice. Bore out the inside of the 2nd "T" joint so that the pipe can slide all the way through the joint. It is important to bore out the joint only enough so that it can move fairly easily down the pipe without creating any play in the joint. If you end up boring it out too wide, suck it up and lay down the $0.99 for another joint. Any play in this connection could dramatically decrease the accuracy of your tool. Screw the sprinkler risers into each "T" joint and tighten. Using the 1/2-inch screws, attach the 2-inch metal tabs to the side of the top of the sprinkler risers so that the tab can reach out perpendicular to the long pipe (the tabs will act as "feelers" up against the tires). You now have built a very ugly version of the alignment tool you may see drawn in many auto repair books. If everything is tight, and the sliding "T" joint has no play, this tool should be very sturdy and pretty darn accurate. The tool should look something like the photo below. Back to Top
Diagram: Back to Top

PLEASE! Be safe when working on your car. Also, read my DISCLAIMER before you go and say, "...well Randy said to do it this way!"

A few tips to keep you safe:
Always support the car with jackstands when raised, never work under a car with only a jack supporting it.
Make sure the car is stable on the stands before crawling under it. Hip-check it a few times first.
Avoid working near moving parts (belts, etc.), save your fingers.
Always torque down bolts to specified torques in the Toyota Service Manual.
Know your Jack Points!


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