SmartStrings Alignment FAQs
If you haven't been on the racetrack much, you may not be familiar with the process of aligning a car with strings. It's a basic method, but not one commonly knowN to many. Let's dive into some of the common questions we're asked about string alignments, and our SmartStrings system.
How Does A Racing Alignment Differ From A Street Car Alignment?
Wheel alignment may seem like a generic process for all types of cars, but this is certainly not the case.
- Street cars require settings that maximize fuel economy, highway handling, and tire wear while providing decent levels of performance.
- Race cars are set up to maximize grip, track performance, and handling at the limit.
Being able to measure and adjust alignment settings on the fly gives you the ability to see how small changes affect your vehicle in real time, and this is invaluable when searching for those last few tenths out on the track.
Is Doing My Own Alignment Worth It?
Most definitely. If you have a track car with uprated suspension components that allow for additional adjustment over stock settings, being able to measure the results is invaluable in getting the car set up just right.
Even if you are just starting out with a standard road car, understanding how different alignment settings affect handling and overall balance is a skill that will become instrumental in the future when you graduate to faster cars and more complex suspension designs.
Getting your car’s alignment done at a shop before a race weekend will limit you to just one setting, and recurring costs for each subsequent race. That’s another benefit of DIY car alignment; you can quickly recoup your costs and continually benefit from on-site alignment changes.
How Do Smart Racing Products Tools Differ From Other Alignment Tools?
Smart Racing Products has been around for over two decades and was started by a professional Porsche racing engineer when he saw the need for an affordable and portable alignment tool.
Our products are all made in the USA by shops that know and understand the racing community. Our products are continually refined and updated, while many competitors’ products are imported by companies that do not fully understand how to correctly use their equipment.
Why Would I Do My Own Alignment?
The flexibility of being able to do home wheel alignment is far more convenient, especially if you have multiple projects on the go. Having to return to an alignment shop for every little change is impractical, expensive, and time-consuming.
Knowing how to align car wheels correctly is a skill that is in decline, so learning and understanding the process will be very beneficial in the future.
Can I Use SmartStrings and SmartCamber On A Lifted Truck Or Off-Road Vehicle?
Yes. Both SmartCamber and SmartStrings can be used on a variety of trucks and off-road vehicles, whether they are standard or not. These tools can be very useful for checking and adjusting camber settings on modified vehicles where the suspension and wheel changes are likely to alter the alignment settings.
Do Professional Teams Really Use String Alignments To Measure Their Toe?
While it seems hard to believe, professional teams DO use strings for their toe measurements as it is a simple, analog process that is easy to transport, repeat, and costs a fraction of what a complex laser system goes for. Strings measuring tools are also easy to deploy in any conditions.
Learn about how our Owner, John Slater, recently helped the Hyundai racing team take on Pikes Peak here.
Why Would I Do My Own Alignment Vs Taking It To A Shop?
In recent years, many shops have stopped offering modified front end and rear wheel alignment services. They prefer to stick to the stock figures, which does not work for modified or racing cars. Having the full alignment kit to make these adjustments at home becomes all the more valuable.
About Smart Racing Products
Smart Racing Products was started over 2 decades ago by Craig Watkins, a professional Porsche engineer and amateur race car driver. He developed the original SmartStrings alignment tools to combine the accuracy and adjustability that top race teams required, within a budget and usability framework that worked for the average person.
Smart Racing Products has been owned by John Slater since 2020. He's a racing veteran with experience spanning from Formula racing to off-road and EV racing programs. He's got an extensive knowledge of alignment setups on a broad range of vehicles, to say the least.
Now based in Frankfort Michigan, Smart Racing Products continues to offer a full range of high-quality alignment and measuring tools that are all designed and manufactured in the USA.
Choose SmartStrings And SmartCamber For Your Alignment
From amateur weekend track warriors, to professional racing teams, our products are designed to deliver accurate, repeatable results on the fly.
- Easy, One-Person Alignment Process
- Ensures Precise, Repeatable Alignment
- Make Alignment Adjustments Without Having To Recalibrate
- Portable For Track And Off-Road Use
- Simple and Durable Design Lasts A Lifetime
- Built In The USA
Contact us today for more information on our SmartStrings and SmartCamber kits, as well as indispensable tire tools and pads and scales that no garage should be without.