DIY Alignment - Measuring/Setting Toe?

[Ol'Blue]

I know there is a thread on here but cant find it. I heard there is way to measure toe-in using string etc. Can someone refer me to the thread or tell me how?

Thanks for the help.

 

[EB Passed down]

Measure from center of the lf tire to the center of the rf tire in front of the axle and then behind the axle. The in front distance should be about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch closer.

 

[SteveL]

Bc broncos has a good write up in their tech page

 

[hammer189]

There is a write up somewhere that says put tape on both wheels in the front. Measure tthen roll truck to see tape on the back of the wheel. Measure. Adjust and repeat until about 1/16 to 1/8" Toe in. Good luck. This is on my to do list also. David

 

[Brnco302]

There is a write up somewhere that says put tape on both wheels in the front. Measure tthen roll truck to see tape on the back of the wheel. Measure. Adjust and repeat until about 1/16 to 1/8" Toe in. Good luck. This is on my to do list also. David

This is how I did 2 trucks so I could get it to an alignment shop after putting in a lift kit.They were both so close they said they wouldn't touch them.

 

[rguest3]

I do the tape method as well. Same results, no alignment adjustment needed at shop.

 

[gearida]

I performed alignment for many years at a Chrysler dealership. All vehicles that I checked specs for called for toe in, I set my own vehicles at zero to wear tires more evenly. The purpose for toe in is to assist in the steering wheel returning to center on its' own after a turn. Do what you like... I'm just throwing a penny worth of thought out.

 

[bludorbronc]

I take two pieces of plywood about half the height of the tire and a little longer than the tire is high and lay them up against the tire so they stick out front and rear of the tire. That way I can take a tape and measure front of tire and back of tire on top of plywood and get the toe in.

 

[Ol'Blue]

I performed alignment for many years at a Chrysler dealership. All vehicles that I checked specs for called for toe in, I set my own vehicles at zero to wear tires more evenly. The purpose for toe in is to assist in the steering wheel returning to center on its' own after a turn. Do what you like... I'm just throwing a penny worth of thought out.

I plan to flat tow behind my RV so need it dialed in and returning to center as best as I can get it. Thanks

 

[Ol'Blue]

Bc broncos has a good write up in their tech page

Got it. I was doing my own (not so good) version of this but looks like I will get better measurements doing it this way.

Thanks!!

 

[Rustytruck]

I take a concrete block and put it in front of the tire. jack up the tire just till it clears the ground. I take a large nail and rest it on the block and spin the tire and push the nail slightly into the center of the tread. the block supports the nail while it scratches the rubber making a line you can see. then do the tire on the other side. now you have a clear line to measure from at the OD of the tire. set the wheel straight on the ground with the full weight on them. now get an assistant to hold the other end of the tape measure measuring from tire line to tire line at the half way heigth of the tire. On my 33" tires I like 3/16" narrower at the front of the tire lines from the measurement of the backside of the tire lines. Getting a clean line to measure from is key if your doing it at home. The bigger the tire diameter from stock 27" diameter the more toe you will probably need to add to get the same tow angle. Got an assistant issue get a piece of wood strapping and suppot it accross the tire at mid point and mark the lines on the stick. now move the stick to the front and line upon line on the stick with the line on one tire. then go to the other tire and the front line should be inside the line on the stick. it is important to measure at the same height on the tire front and back.

 

[treihesse]

I did mine last night in 20 min.

1.Put the truck on stands
2. Take a C clamp and clamp a straight edge to the rotor on both sides.
3. Take a measurement front and rear. Adjust toe..

 

[Mikey]

I found a generic set of these on eBay

http://www.amazon.com/Longacre-Toe-...TF8&qid=1390432364&sr=1-1&keywords=toe+plates


All alignments should be weight-on-wheels, not jacked up.

 

[Mikey]

String method...

I used a similar method to align my 68 Cougar.....worked great.

http://www.circletrack.com/chassistech/ctrp_1204_determining_wheel_alignment_string_your_car/

 

[Mikey]

Purpose of toe for rear wheel drive:

The toe setting is typically used to help compensate for the suspension bushings compliance to enhance tire wear. Toe can also be used to adjust vehicle handling.



A rear-wheel drive vehicle "pushes" the front axle's tires as they roll along the road. Tire rolling resistance causes a little drag resulting in rearward movement of the suspension arms against their bushings. Because of this, most rear-wheel drive vehicles use some positive toe-in to compensate for the movement, enabling the tires to run parallel to each other at speed.

From http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4