Alignment Spec Check

[B RON CO]

Hi, I am going to put the Bronco on a modern John Bean alignment machine. What should we set the toe to in degrees.
I have a Dana 44, 3 1/2" lift, 7 degree c bushings.
With a WH 2 way adjustable tie rod set #2403
She steers fine, no tire wear, steering wheel is centered.
I set the toe at 3/16" in with a tape. Now I just want to get my numbers, and maybe dial in the toe. The guy only knows degrees. After we check it, what is the goal to shoot for in degrees, and please tell me if this is overall, or at each wheel. I can adjust each wheel. Thank you

 

[NC-Fordguy]

IIRC specification on toe in 0.12 to 0.50 degrees.

 

[chuck]

Please do not be insulted when I ask but you said that the steering wheel is centered, does that mean that the steering box is centered? PS, if you are not having any problems why are you messing with it?

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, My question is simply what degree toe in should I look for? I have plenty of front end experience from wrenching way back when, and Saturday night stock cars. When I changed the front axle the box was centered. The toe was set with a tape and toe plates, and yes, the steering wheel was held in the center. I am not "messing" with it. I put new BFGs on it last spring and figured it was time to get the alignment numbers. The shop owner, a guy I've known a long time said all the numbers will be in degrees. I am not looking for factory specs, just what an good alignment guy would want on his Bronco, in degrees. Thank you

 

[suckerpunched]

I can't answer your question, but when you get the numbers could you post them. My setup is similar to yours and almost ready to hit the street with it. Since you are happy with the way it's working, I might be able to use it as starting point for mine.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, sure I'll post my results. We should get it done on Saturday. I'm going to measure the toe in with my toe plates and tape measure first in the driveway. Then, assuming that it is still 3/16 toe in, I'll see what that looks like on the alignment machine in degrees. I'm curious to see if the left and right are equal. Hopefully we'll be close to what NCFordguy posted, .12 - .5 degrees. Of course I'm curious about caster and camber ( mostly toe and caster). Thank you.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, just got the alignment checked. This morning I got my toe plates and measured 3/16 toe in. Got the numbers and we got:
Left caster. 3.9
Right caster. 3.4
Left camber. 1.2
Right camber. .8
Left toe. .12
Right toe. - .1
So I was basically at 0 toe. We turned the right tie rod sleeve about 1/3 of a turn and got:
Left toe. 1.5
Right toe. 1.5
Needless to say, I am very happy with that. Maybe my road feel is a little better. It still feels good. As good as I would expect from an old Bronco. Steady and predictable. I am so glad the caster and camber are OK.

Big thanks to NCFordguy. My main man for coming up with the numbers.Thanks for your help!

 

[DirtDonk]

Excellent to hear!
Good numbers too, especially caster, for not having gone through too many headaches. Or did you?
Sure, 4.5 or more is great, but anything over 2.5 is usually cake if the rest of the setup is good too.
If you ever get to messing with stuff again though, you might try to reduce the positive camber on the driver's side. The 1.2 is certainly within specs, but getting them below 1 degree does seem to improve tire wear.
Not sure what the cross-camber recommendation is, or which side is supposed to be higher than the other (or if it matters) but any time you can get them both under a degree you're doing good.

Congrats on the full reading. And thanks for working on the degrees-vs-inches thing.
Looks like your initial inch measurement method was off a bit though, if you thought it was 3/16 but it was actually zero. The computers are just more precise I guess.
But the bottom line is all about how it feels. Now that you know where you're starting from you can still mess around with toe-in settings from your driveway and seat-of-the-pants scale.

Have fun!

Paul

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, there were no headaches. Actually the handling was always, OK, even before the axle swap. Steady and predictable. I just carefully planned what I figured I needed to do, and got the bushings, ball joint, tire rod, pitman arm, Trac bar drop package, springs, etc, for the upgrade packaged. I do have plenty of front end experience, Budget rent a truck and Saturday night stock cars, so I understand the fundamentals of good handling. After bolting together my new suspension about 6 years ago and going with it I figured it was time to get the numbers because I got new BFGs this spring. I figured the toe was a little off because I tape measure it much lower to the ground, way below the wheel base center line. Very soon I will measure it again and save that . It is also good to know my axle is not bent. Thanks for your interest

 

[NC-Fordguy]

It's great it all worked out, glad to share some info that benefits.

Gotta see pics of your Bronco!!!

 

[B RON CO]

Hi NCFordguy, I'd like to give you a ride in the Bronco. Let me know when you get near Long Island, NY. You can see all my pics on my garage.
So I took my toe plates, which are great when checking toe, like for a tie rod change on someone's car, or whatever driveway mechanic occasion, and measured them at 5" tall. The center of the hub with 31.5 tires is 14" off the ground. This is not laser / computer stuff, but I know we are not 100 o/o on the money, but better than nothing.
Tonights measurement is 68 and 5/16 behind the tire, and 68 exactly front of tire.
So giving the tie rod 1/3 turn toe in (shortening), I got 1/8 more toe in. We went from a ( I feel ) a good working estimate of 3/16 toe in, probably 1/16, as measured, to about the desired 3/16, as measured, 5/16. See the numbers in degrees [ more thanks to NCFordguy ] , 1.5 , and 1.5 degrees toe in, on each wheel.
I know this is gibberish to many, but after setting up race car front ends on a turntable and bubble gauge, this is great stuff.
If you have horrible handling, unpredictable, bad tire wear, whatever, believe me, you can improve on that. Just get your front end numbers, and post them up.
I knew deep down my front end was good, but got the butterflies before the check. What if the bushings were in upside down, what if the axle was bent, what if the numbers were so out of wack nobody could believe it. Whatever. I didn't do what any of you guys couldn't do with the right parts package and a plan. If your Bronco handles like a grasshopper on crack and you're tires are getting chewed up in one season, not my problem, but you can get it better.
Thank you for your interest.
B RON CO
Still workin' on it