4 replies to this topic

[Marc Ulan]

Hi,

Would like to know if anyone has had problems with the Paco hubstands, or more likely, if I'm doing something wrong.  This is my first time doing setup, and I'm using the hubstands from Paco, wireless scales from Intercomp, and an Accuremote angle gauge that I got with the hubstands.  With the car on the scales and stands, I'm able to get almost exact 50/50, a consistent ride height of 4 3/8 (with the wheels back on), and camber at -3.8-4.0* all around.  I also set the toe to zero for all 4 wheels using the little "ruler" brackets that come with the hubstands.

 

I didn't expect to get a perfect toe measurement with the stands, so when I checked it again with the wheels on, using toe-plates just to be sure, the rear was showing 1/4" toe in.  Before I made a toe adjustment I checked rear camber with a Smartcamber gauge (which I had just calibrated, as I did with the Accuremote one as well), it showed camber of 2.5*.  Concerned now that the measurements are inconsistent, I put the Accuremote gauge flat against the hub of the rim, and it read 2.6*.

 

Now I'm confused.  I'm probably violating some rule about using multiple tools for the same measurements, but I wanted to make sure the toe was right.

 

Any thoughts?  This is my first time doing this, so I'm not surprised if I'm doing something wrong.

 

I appreciate any insight others may have.

 

Thanks,

Marc

 

[Steve Scheifler]

You’ll want someone more familiar with the hub stands but before that, do you have slip-plates or equivalent under the tires, or rolling it off-on the scales a few times? If not, when lowering the car the tires can load the suspension bushing a lot and you will see less camber, and even twist the toe.

[Dave D.]

As far as checking toe with the wheels on, make sure the wheels are straight(not bent). I keep a known good set in the shop just for set ups. And as Steve said, make sue you settle the car by rolling forward and back with driver's weight in it.

[Marc Ulan]

I have been bouncing the suspension and rolling the car back and forth, so I think I'm doing that right.  Just not sure why the toe would be different when measuring with the hubstands vs. on the ground.  I'm going to put the hubstands back on and see if everything is squared.

[Marc Ulan]

I figured it out.  First, I'm an idiot, but that isn't new news for me.  I called the guys at Paco and they were very helpful.  I was measuring toe using the markings on the hubstands the way you would set thrust and toe using a string setup.  But because Miata's don't have equal front and rear track, that is not the right way.  Instead, I can use the "arms" on the hubstands to measure toe across the wheels, similar to how it would be done with toe-plates.  Learn something new every day.