Macpherson strut alignment gauge and straightening apparatus

Abstract

A gauge apparatus for measuring the displacement of components, particularly automotive components. The gauge includes a support member adapted for secure attachment to one component, such as an automotive wheel. A transverse gauge bar is slidably interengageable with the support member and carries a rotatably gauge member at one end for measuring the displacement of the gauge member with respect to the gauge bar. The apparatus can be used to check the alignment of Macpherson strut suspension systems as well as wheel caster, camber, toe-in and alignment. A Macpherson strut straightening apparatus is also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
       1. Gauge apparatus for measuring the displacement of first and second components, said apparatus comprising: a support member adapted to secure attachment to the first component, said member including an elongate bar having one end adapted for attachment to the first component, said one end including a threaded portion projecting coaxially from the one end of said support member, thereby being able to engage a complimentary threaded hole in a wheel support flange;   a transverse gauge bar;   means for slidably interengaging said gauge bar to the elongate bar of said support member to provide for selectable relative movement of said gauge bar along a predetermined path on said support member;   locking means for rigidly securing said transverse gauge bar to said support member at a pre-selected position along said path; and   a gauge member rotatably secured to the distal end of said transverse gauge bar, said gauge member including indicia for measuring the angle of displacement of said gauge member with respect to said gauge bar.   
     
     
       2. Gauge apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a locking screw engageable with said gauge bar. 
     
     
       3. Gauge apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one end of said support member is tapered and said threaded portion projects from said tapered end. 
     
     
       4. Gauge apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support member includes a transverse hole intermediate its ends for rotatable engagement with a stub axle shaft. 
     
     
       5. Gauge apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gauge member is rotatably mounted to a gauge support which is itself mounted for adjustable rotation about said gauge bar. 
     
     
       6. Gauge apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gauge member includes a straight edge able to be aligned with a portion of said second component. 
     
     
       7. Gauge apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gauge member includes means spaced from its axis of rotation for engagement with resilient means extending between symetrically disposed gauge apparatus for interconnecting their respective gauge members, thereby to determine front wheel toe-in when each apparatus is fixedly located with respect to its respective stub axle. 
     
     
       8. Gauge apparatus according to claim 1 further including: an elongate datum bar;   attachment means for engaging said datum bar to the underneath of a vehicle, horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle;   such that securement of said gauge apparatus to a rear wheel permits measurement of the angular displacement of said wheel with respect to said datum bar.   
     
     
       9. Gauge apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said datum bar includes at least one extension piece slidably mounted to said datum bar to which said gauge member may be presented. 
     
     
       10. Gauge apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said attachment means comprises a pair of banjo hangers, each including a banjo portion adapted to adjustably clampingly engage said datum bar and an attachment portion adapted to engage a formation on the underneath of said vehicle. 
     
     
       11. Gauge apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said attachment portion includes an outwardly directed tapered socket adapted for engagement with a projecting formation on the underneath of said vehicle. .Iadd.12. Vehicle gauging apparatus comprising: an elongate bar;   a pair of attachment means slidably mounted on said bar, each said attachment means having an attachment portion spaced from said bar and including engagement means for engaging an associated datum point on a vehicle; and   a pair of extension pieces slidably mounted on said bar outwardly of said attachment means, each said extension piece including a reference bar adapted to contact a gauge apparatus for measuring the angular displacement of a wheel of the vehicle with respect to said elongate bar. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. Vehicle gauging apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said attachment portions permit rotation of said elongate bar about an axis defined by a line joining said associated datum points while maintaining said reference bars on said axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. Vehicle gauging apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said attachment portions   
     
     
        include an outwardly opening tapered socket. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15.  Gauge apparatus for measuring the displacement of first and second components, said apparatus comprising: a support member adapted to secure attachment to said first component;   a transverse gauge bar slidably interengageable with said support member for relative movement along a predetermined path;   locking means for rigidly securing said transverse gauge bar to said support member at a pre-selected position along said path;   a gauge member rotatably secured to the distal end of said transverse gauge bar, said gauge member including indicia for measuring the angle of displacement of said gauge member with respect to said gauge bar;   an elongated datum bar; and   attachment means for engaging said datum bar to the underneath of a vehicle, horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, such that securement of said gauge apparatus to a rear wheel permits measurement of the angular displacement of said wheel with respect   
     
     
        to said datum bar. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16.  Gauge apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said datum bar includes at least one extension piece slidably mounted to said datum bar to which said gauge member may be presented. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. Gauge apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said attachment means comprises a pair of banjo hangers, each including a banjo portion adapted to adjustable clampingly engage said datum bar and an attachment portion adapted to engage a formation on the underneath of said vehicle. .Iadd.18. Gauge apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said attachment portion includes an outwardly directed tapered socket adapted for engagement with a projecting formation on the underneath of said vehicle. .Iaddend.