Tool shop north of Orange Curtain

[magnusfeuer]

Does anyone know of a good tool shop in the LA area?

Right now I am looking for camber or toe-in gauges, but it would be nice to find a store in the segment over pep-boys where things like wide band lambda probes, tire temperature gauges, etc can be purchased over the counter.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

Magnus

I am not sure one shop can do it all. Here is a place to start.

They do both online and retail sales about 15 miles or so from where you are.

They might be open Saturdays.

http://www.bakerprecision.com/

I'll add more as I remember them.

Performance Products, in Van Nuys, mostly dedicated to Porsche but they have good tools:

http://www.automotion.com/default.aspx

For braided hose and fittings:

http://www.anplumbing.com/ I don't know if they have a retail outlet you can go to.

Orme Bothers do have a walk in shop and will build you lines to suit.

http://www.ormebrothers.com/

Doug

[moosetestbestanden]

If you're not in a hurry:

http://www.smartracingproducts.com/alignment.htm

Some of the tools are kind of pricey, I doubt that the smart strings would work on a 7 but the camber / caster & toe tools look cool.

I did mine w/ a level and a carpenter's square...

I'm sure Gert will be along any time now w/ a plywood, nails, strings, gum & GPS solution:D

[slomove]

I did mine w/ a level and a carpenter's square...

I'm sure Gert will be along any time now w/ a plywood, nails, strings, gum & GPS solution:D

How did you know that...? ;)

For toe-in I use two 6' pieces of 3/4" square aluminum tubing clamped to the brake disks sticking out in front horizontally while the disks (i.e. the whole front) are resting on some lumber pieces. The adjustment is anyway easier to do when the wheels are off. From the distance difference between the tube next to the disks and the end of the tubes I can calculate the toe-in. Must be a little careful not to flex the tubes with the tape measure.

Actually I did the camber with a string and a stick but will probably go more hi-tech next time I check it (Harborfreight Tools):

[moosetestbestanden]

I smell a new Wiki:D

[magnusfeuer]

Yes Gert.

A new sidebar entry with a few examples has been setup, just for you.

On another note:
Would anyone be interested in pooling resources to purchase high cost, seldom used tools such as scales for corner weighting, tire/brake pyrometers, a stand alone wide band lambda monitor, toe in and camber/caster gauges etc?

We all lust after them every now and then, and they would make fault-searching at the track much, much easier.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

I have a tire pyrometer, the subsurface probe type, this also incudes a high temperature thermocouple that can do brakes if needed.

Gert's method of toe in is what I use, a friend that just bought some toe plates says they a good way to go.

Scales and camber / castor gauges I would be interested in.

Doug

[moosetestbestanden]

Scales and camber / castor gauges I would be interested in.

2nded, although camber is fairly easy to do w/ simple measurement.

And speaking of camber, how about a bulk buy attempt. See attachment.

He won't deliver product to the USofA but I have friends nearby he can send them to, or perhaps Gert...

Simply stated:

"Mit diesem Umbausatz haben sie entscheidende Vorteile:
Der Sturz kann doppelt so genau eingestellt werden.
Der Sturz kann ganz einfach und schnell durch den Kegeladapter eingestellt werden."

Sooo einfach! Sooo Genau! Enough said:D

[magnusfeuer]

Shit. I thought that my german was better than that. Sturtz is translated by google and babelfish as a "fall". Explanation, sil vouz plait.

Computer scales, link, at $366 each (for Doug, Chris and me). I'd go for it. I'd buy it, write a receipt for all of you and then we just rotate the scales as we need them.

Any other takers? If you sit this one out, expect heavy taunting and a premium fee when you crawl up to us on the track and want to borrow it.

With this scale we will form an elite within the Caterham club; an elite that only heavy $$$ or butt-kissing can get you into.

/Magnus F.

[magnusfeuer]

Found a cheaper set here. This one goes for $938 and is designed for lighter cars (max pad weight 1100 lbs).

/Magnus F.

[moosetestbestanden]

Sturtz is translated by google and babelfish as a "fall". Explanation, sil vouz plait.

I think (!) in this instance it means 'drop link'. Gert will be along soon to clarify.

Location is http://www.mog-racing.com

Website doesn't pass urls so click on suspension and you'll see the photo. They are quite beautiful and quite expensive. I've noticed a Deutsch manufacturer's adverts in Grassroots Motorsports for the same, but I think Joachim's done the homework on the complete assembly. What price convenience?

I'm in on scales but it'll be a month or so. I already have another gadget on the priority list to acquire which is consuming the monthly budgeted amount (no, not that gadget:D). In the meantime there's always Gert's handy dandy plywood, strings, gum & GPS corner weighting equipment.:D

[Sean-og]

Suddenly I have an urge to watch McGyver re-runs... :D

[magnusfeuer]

Ah Now I get it.

With this top A arm ball link, you can adjust camber by just undoing the bolt that connects the ball joint to the upright, rotating the ball joint and then reattach the bolt. Another upside is that you can rotate the ball joint in half turns, thus doubling the camber adjustment resolution.


With the stock setup, I usually undo the body side of the A-arm and rotate the whole assembly instead of popping out the ball joint.


/Magnus F.

[moosetestbestanden]

Yeah, it's a nice bit o kit, as the English say. Expensive though, and I wonder how necessary. I'm not changing tires so often that I'd be at it a lot. Still, just once is probably enough to justify it in terms of time. And of course, it's verrry cool, which is always justification enough when upgradeitis hits:D

[slomove]

I think (!) in this instance it means 'drop link'. Gert will be along soon to clarify.

Location is http://www.mog-racing.com

Nope, while "Sturz" in common language actually means the activity of falling or crashing (to the floor or from a ladder or so) it is in the context of cars just the proper term for camber. Don't ask me why. For that matter the term for toe-in/out is "Spur".

Not sure if the Mog parts would even fit my Birkin uprights. Another thing is they don't have a rubber boot at all?

Gert