Alignment Flag System

[John LaRue]

I have an alignment flag system which I am not using. This is the system referenced in the Swift set up manual and what we use on the Citation for camber, toe and even ride height. This should bolt up to any hub with a 3.75 bolt circle. $225.00 plus shipping.

John

racinglaw@aol.com

765.748.4848

[John LaRue]

System remains available.

[Bob Coury]

John: Can you please describe the flag system?

Thanks
Bob

[John LaRue]

The system has a flag pole that about 5' long and has an aluminum flag that is about 30". There are two uprights which attach to the wheel hubs. This is a copy of the system used by Swift. If you would like pictures I will get some next. Weekend. I have two of these, am selling one.

John

[carnut169]

I happen to have some pics of a flag system that will give you the idea. This one can from Comprent so it's probably not exactly the same one being sold, but it will give you an idea.... (vertical gives you camber, horizontal gives toe). These work great.

[John LaRue]

Thanks, yes that is very similar to the one I have for sale!

John

[Bob Coury]

Thanks for posting the pictures.

Showever, after seeing them, I have determined that since I live in Florida, there is no where for me to store this.

[John LaRue]

no problem, but what the hell does living in Florida have to do with this?

[John LaRue]

Still available!

[Bob Coury]

John-just saw the post about living in FL. Good question, but the answer is small garages, no basements, 2 kids equal minmal storage space.

sorry-no where to put things anymore.

Bob

[JeffW]

John,

In the Swift set up you use dummy shocks and of course block the steering at straight ahead so s to adjust the toe.

What do you do about dummy shocks when using this system on another car? Fabricate them so the suspension is held at ride height?

Jeff

[Ralph Z.]

Does this system require that the car be on a flat surface, ie. pads?

Or, how do you set the zero position for toe?

[John LaRue]

Yes, I made up some struts which I set to the length of the damper at ride height. Mine are tubular with rod ends, so they are adjustable, however my DB1 simply had strap steel. As for the steering we have some pieces of aluminum tubing that was sliced through the center which are installed on both sides of the rack.

When we do this we will usually have the car supported on stands, however you can leave the shocks in place, block the car up on the uprights and go about the alignment.

[JeffW]

Thanks John - that's what I figured you might do.

Ralph - you can set a car up with this equipment on the side of a mountain since its an entirely geometrical system. Once the steering is centered, you can measure the toe at each side by rotating the flagpoles to the horizontal (as opposed to the vertical which is when you measure camber), and measure the gap as before.

Its a neat system.

Jeff

[John LaRue]

Yes, thank Jeff I failed to answer the question. The car does not have to be level to do the set up. IN fact, when Lathrop does a set up he even goes so far as to set ride heights. I am always amazed at how close the car is when I put it on the scales. When the car was first completed I rolled it on the platform and there was nothing to adjust!

[Ralph Z.]

John:

How large is this device and how might it impact shipping? Can it be shipped or does it need to be picked up?

[John LaRue]

I will check to see what it would take to ship. I dont know if USPS will take something that long. The flag bolts up to the pole so that part will be easy.

[Rick Kean]

I have an alignment flag system which I am not using. This is the system referenced in the Swift set up manual and what we use on the Citation for camber, toe and even ride height. This should bolt up to any hub with a 3.75 bolt circle. $225.00 plus shipping.

John

racinglaw@aol.com

765.748.4848
...

IN fact, when Lathrop does a set up he even goes so far as to set ride heights.

OK, I'll bite.
How are ride heights set with this alignment flag system?

Thanks,
Rick

[John LaRue]

It can be done with or without this system; the measurement is taken from the top of the bell housing to the top of the upright and then caclulated from known dimensions including the tire diameter. I have never set it this way however Steve has many times very successfully.

[Steve O'Hara]

I just acquired one of these systems with a car I bought and I'm looking for help with finding a copy of the written instructions for using the tools.
Anyone out there that can help?
Steve O'Hara

[Ken Rozeboom]

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19056

I also have the instructions supplied by Doug Learned for his system which I can email.

[Steve O'Hara]

Ken,

Thanks for your offer to help.
Please send the file to steveohara@msn.com

Steve

[Joefisherff]

Ken can you send to me as well as I bought this system from John. joefisher at fuse.net

Thanks

[Mike Kolthoff]

Joe,

Give me a call. I have the ride height stops with my flag system that will not work on my DB6 but fit the DB1. Maybe you could put them on your car snap some photos for posting for ther greater good.

Mike

[Joefisherff]

Will do Mike, I'll call and stop by to grab them. Thanks!

[P Burke]

Maybe I'm missing something obvious but what the heck holds the system upright and keeps it from flipping over. Especially since someone stated it can be used for toe as well. Just curious.

[JeffW]

The system doesn't flip over or rotate because you can wrap a bungee around the brake pedal to create some stiction. This way the poles are easily held in their horizontal or vertical position.

The images that Sean posted are very helpful if you are trying to figure out how it works, but believe me its essentially bullet proof. In my case I use some Ally strapping with holes at the required separation in place of the shocks to give me the ride height I want.

JeffW

[Messenger Racing]

The system I use has large spacers that screw onto the stub axle in place of the wheel nut - but - you leave the wheels on the car and set the car on the ground. You end up with large mounting flanges that sit on the outside of the wheel and attach the flag uprights to. By doing it this way, I ballast the car, set tire pressures and start measuring with the car on the ground. The poles are held vertical or horizontal by chocking the tires as needed. It is very quick and easy to use once you figure it out. It does not, however, set toe front and rear in relation to car center line except to the extent that it is extrapolated from the accuracy of the steering rack lock and prior measurements at the rear of the car to a known centerline.

JM