no runout correction procedure on modern wheel alignment equipment. ??

[Tmoose]

I looked at a few online manuals for wheel alignment equipment from the 70s and newer.

Bear here - clamp and go.

http://www.teambearusa.com/modules/store/Operator-Manuals-for-New-Cartek-Equipment-_P1682.cfm

This 1970s SnapOn manual just says attach the gage to the cleaned, machined wheel hub face.

http://www.camplulu.com/tractor/Manuals/Alignment/SnapOnAlignment.pdf

This Windows 95 vintage Snap on aligner has runout detection on page 57, but it says "(.75°-1.5°)" is "not enough to influence the alignment results." But on a 185-75-14 inch tire 1/8 inch toe-in at the tread is less than 0.5 degrees.

http://www.snaponequipment.com/Common/UserManuals/Form 5647-1.pdf

Tru-Line has a runout correction procedure - page 13 here

http://www.tru-line.net/pdf/tlt-12 rev91404.pdf

I think using wheel features, especially steel wheel, or (gasp) tire features without establishing a true rotating CL brings potential errors greater than a typical toe-in tolerance whether done on an alignment rack or in my driveway.

Dan T

 

[cibachrome]

You forgot to look at Hunter...

 

[FoMoCoMoFo]

Agreed.. I would probably rotate the wheel 180 reattach the "tool", and look for it to agree with the prior location..
Your post reminded me of an occasion years ago.
I'd taken a friend to pick up his car at a shop and look at some things while it was on a lift.. In the next bay a car was receiving a
"state of the art" four wheel alignment. I noticed the laser was contacting a weight on one side of a nice, true looking, turned aluminum back wheel.
I could see a near 0.1" gap where it should have been touching the
wheel. This equipment was no doubt fool proof.
One of many experiences that makes taking a car to a shop difficult.