How to tell when front axle is centered?

[airbur]

I think my front axle is off-center, tending towards the driver's side a bit. What is the correct way to measure this? I'm looking at how much the tire sticks out on each side. I have the original non-adjustable '76 track bar. I'm thinking with an adjustable I could "push" the axle more to the passenger side but just need to know how to measure it. I do have a drop-track bar bracket.

Thanks!

 

[cbautoworks]

use a plum bob of the the edge off of each fender or the frame. good luck!!

 

[addicted]

Get the tires pointing straight ahead. Make sure the tires are the same psi. Place a straight edge against the tire centered at the hub. And then measure to the fender at the same point on both sides. I used a 4 foot carpenters level. You probably need an adjustable track bar to fine tune it.

 

[Steve83]

Don't measure off the body - it's likely warped & not centered anyway.

Measure from the frame to the upper ball joint. Pick points that are identical on each side.

 

[addicted]

Maybe. But it will look centered ;D Its like hanging a door level and plumb in a crooked house. Your door looks scewed up. Not the house. He wants his tires to stick out the same from the fenders on either side.

 

[airbur]

Is it something I shouldn't be worried about? I was thinking having it off-center would affect handling a bit, no?

 

[addicted]

Naw. Not really. I drove my 79 off center for years and never had any issues. Then I centered it with an adjustable track bar and couldnt tell the difference in handling. I guess technically some could argue that you may see tire wear being uneven due to more weight on one side but I never noticed anything.

 

[SnwMnkys]

The more or less weight you add to the vehicle the more or less its going to be off centered. Get it "close" enough but its really not that important.

 

[Louie]

Is it something I shouldn't be worried about? I was thinking having it off-center would affect handling a bit, no?

I think it would throw off handling a bit in an extreme maneuvering condition. Plus, you don't want to be like that guy going down the road who looks like they're driving sideways :-X

 

[Steve83]

Is it something I shouldn't be worried about? I was thinking having it off-center would affect handling a bit, no?

Not handling exactly, but alignment (tire wear, return-to-center, thrust angle). That's why I say center it on the frame.

Maybe. But it will look centered ;D Its like hanging a door level and plumb in a crooked house. Your door looks scewed up.

So you'd compound the error??? And then when the body eventually gets set right, he has to RE-do the axle? I do things a little differently... ;D

 

[addicted]

I must of missed where he siad his body was tweaked. In any case, you win. lol %) Your method is more correct. I hope he doesnt get a heavy person in the passenger seat. Then he might have to recenter it again!

 

[73stallion]

i always measure from the inside edge of the tire tread to the frame.