Alignment
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Alignment
The Ford factory service manual gives toe specs in fractions of an inch.
It gives no picture of the measurement. Is this total toe or toe per wheel? Where would this be measured from (tire tread or outside edge of the rim)? If a toe angle was given that data I could measure anywhere and calculate the angle. It would be much more useful.
Thanks,
Mike
It gives no picture of the measurement. Is this total toe or toe per wheel? Where would this be measured from (tire tread or outside edge of the rim)? If a toe angle was given that data I could measure anywhere and calculate the angle. It would be much more useful.
Thanks,
Mike
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Measure from the same spot on the front and back of each tire. We used to scribe a line in a light coat of spray paint. Jack each wheel, rotate and paint, then rotate and scribe. You now have a line to measure from thats on the same spot on the front and back of the tire. SOme people measure from the tread but it can vary too much and its difficult to get an accurate reading from the rim.
lower the truck and drive it backwards and then forwards enough to center the steering and load the ball joints. Now crawl under and measure, get a helper if possible. Adjust the tie rod ends evenly or u'll throw your steering wheel off center. If your steering wheel is already off center this is a good time to fix it.
Once you have the proper toe in, the light coat of paint will quickly wear off and nobody will be the wiser.
lower the truck and drive it backwards and then forwards enough to center the steering and load the ball joints. Now crawl under and measure, get a helper if possible. Adjust the tie rod ends evenly or u'll throw your steering wheel off center. If your steering wheel is already off center this is a good time to fix it.
Once you have the proper toe in, the light coat of paint will quickly wear off and nobody will be the wiser.
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Oh, I forgot to say measure the distance from the front of the drivers side tire to the front of the passenger side tire. Then compare that measurment with the dimension across the backs of the left and right tires.
The dimension across the front is usually set 1/8 " or so smaller.
The dimension across the front is usually set 1/8 " or so smaller.
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Re Alignment
Thanks for the responses!
I have read about the scribe method. Some people mention jacking up a wheel and spinning it while holding a pencil or maker against it to put a ring around the whole tire.
I am worried about the line not being accurate because when the weight is put back on the wheel the camber changes. Should I be worried? If I take my measurements at spindle height would that negate the effect of the camber changing?
How about marking an "Xs" across the tread (front of tires) with the wheels loaded, measuring, roll vehicle back and measure again between Xs (rear of tires).
Mike
I have read about the scribe method. Some people mention jacking up a wheel and spinning it while holding a pencil or maker against it to put a ring around the whole tire.
I am worried about the line not being accurate because when the weight is put back on the wheel the camber changes. Should I be worried? If I take my measurements at spindle height would that negate the effect of the camber changing?
How about marking an "Xs" across the tread (front of tires) with the wheels loaded, measuring, roll vehicle back and measure again between Xs (rear of tires).
Mike
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Joined: Jan 2005
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The camber won't cause a problem with the scribing, it's a little tricky to keep the line straight though. Rotate the tire smoothly so as not to turn the steering at all and rest the scribe against a block of wood. The line will appear on the same spot front and back even if the tire was completely horizontal. It's important to then lower the truck and and let the suspension come to it's normal resting height, roll the truck backwards and then bring it ahead with the steering centered to load the ball joints as if you were driving. If this isn't done your measuring wil be inaccurate.
When you measure it's best to stay close to spindle height but that may be impossible because of the frame and suspension components. Try to measure from the same height front and back of tire.
Use X's if you want. The thing to remember is the measuring point must be exactly the same on the front and back of the tread. If this can be achieved with X's, go for it.
When you measure it's best to stay close to spindle height but that may be impossible because of the frame and suspension components. Try to measure from the same height front and back of tire.
Use X's if you want. The thing to remember is the measuring point must be exactly the same on the front and back of the tread. If this can be achieved with X's, go for it.
