Process and system for measuring alignment of automotive vehicle

Abstract

A method of aligning a suspension of an automotive vehicle, the vehicle having a chassis secured at a predetermined height above the ground, a steering shaft secured to prevent movement thereof, and a hub, the method comprising the steps of providing a suspension measurement system comprising a light source, a reflector and a target, adjusting the height of the suspension to a height above the ground that is substantially equal to a radius of a tire used with the suspension, removably attaching the reflector to the hub wherein the reflector is vertically oriented and substantially perpendicular to the hub central axis, positioning the target a predetermined distance from the reflector, directing a light beam to the center of the reflector for reflection onto the target, the light source being positioned such that the reflected beam of light is substantially coplanar with the directed light beam, incrementally adjusting the height of the suspension in relation to an initial height and applying indicia to locations on the target to which the reflected light beam moves, each indicia corresponding to a height of the suspension that is above or below the initial height, and measuring a distance in a first orientation between a pair of indicia having the greatest first orientation distance therebetween, in comparison to any other pairs of indicia.