Hey there!
I've got an '87 F150 4x4 that I replaced the passenger-side tie rod on awhile back. The front, pass.-side tire is wearing out on the inside. Which way do I need to turn the adjusting collar/sleeve? Yes, I know that I should have the front end aligned but the upper ball joint and bushing needs replacing and I'm trying to slow the wear on my tire while I wait 'till I can afford, or have time to do it myself, to replace both uppers & bushings.

Thanks!
HH

 

Here's my method to adjust toe-in on my '75 4x2...

http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/toe-in1.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/toe-in2.jpg

Just measure across both the square tubings with a tape measure, behind and in front of the tires and figure out the difference in the readings.

I've experimented and found I like 0 to 1/32" toe-in the best.

YMMV on that, you decide what you like best.

This method, if you're careful, is very consistant in it's readings and that's all you really need, to adjust toe-in yourself.

After getting the toe-in back in the "ball park" drive it and notice where the steering wheel is while driving straight. Park with the steering wheel setting like that and check the toe-in again.

Alvin in AZ

 

Thanks!

HH

 

It is also easy to make a tire chalk mark around the tire by spinning it and then use a small sharp tool to scribe a witness mark in the chalk. This method was used by alignment shops before the advent of computerized alignment equipment. Using the chalk and scribe method is far more accurate than measuring over the outside of the tires. Tires and wheels can have a lot of runout in them.

 

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying to do.
Are you saying to take a piece of chalk & spin the tires with the chalk on the outer edge of the sidewall.
Then scribe a mark to use for a measuring point.
Measure distance between tires with mark to the furthest forward point.
Spin tires 180 degrees and measure again?

Please forgive my ignorance if I'm way off base.

Thanks.
HH

 

How's that HH and Torque1st?

Never tried it. :/

In theory that'd be the best way to go, IMO.

In practice, with what I've got to work with, I'm not so sure. :/

IMO...
Accuracy is not the goal, since a little this way or a little that way should be tried to get a feel for how it effects the steering, then you put it where you like it and the specific number isn't as important as the finished product.

And this is the main reason I haven't even tried the chalk and scribe method...

Even tho the tie-in on a Ford 4x2 pickup doesn't change that much with suspension position, it does change. Jack the wheels up and let it down and the toe-in will be different than before. (air cooled VWs change like mad with suspension height changes) You've got to be careful you roll the vehicle and stop it in such a way that everthing in the suspension is back to "normal".

I left out this practice in the original post... I roll to a stop without applying any brakes, with the steering wheel turned to "center" just before taking measurements. Center is found driving down the center of a paved road.

You'll notice there its a different steering wheel position whether you are in the "slow" lane or the "passing" lane due to road surface tilt. Find the "center" and memorize it just before making any measurements. It'll change with any toe-in changes you make.

Very consistant measurements are possible if you're careful with tape tension and stuff like that. -You- figure out how to put that tape measure up there and take it down and do it again so you get the same numbers, that applies to the chalk+scribe method and my dumb-hick method, ok?

That's the real trick to any of this, learning how to measure consitantly.

The toe-in specs on my '75 F150 4x2 are 0 to 1/8" "in", BTW.

Leave me out of any toe-in more -in- than 1/16"!

YMMV on that

Alvin in AZ

 

Thanks for straightening me out on Torque1st's suggestion, Alvin.

I don't have any tubing laying around or anything else half-way straight. Even the 2 x 4s I have are more crooked than these mountain roads.


"Center is found driving down the center of a paved road."

That's the way I drive all the time, even in the curves. LOL!!! Seriously, though, I know what ya mean & appreciate the tips. Thanks for helping me out!


"...my dumb-hick method, ok?"

We might be related! LOL!!!

HH