I replaced both tie rod ends on my 93 aerostar being careful not to move the jamb nuts too far but the stearing wheel is a bit off and I guess the toe in needs adjusted a little. How can I do this myself, I'm retired and can't afford a wheel alignment. Thank you

 

You need a slip-adjustable stick arangement. two sticks tie wrapped together so you can slide them out to touch the tires at the front and back of the tires. toe should be very slightly closer at the front of the tires. like 1/8 inch or so. toe out makes the steering unstable.

a good alignment shop is better, of course but a shop loused up my steering and I thought I would try it myself. I corrected a right steering pull by adjusting caster on one side and after a few tries, got the toe perfect.

Ken

 

Dude, 1/8" of toe-in is a lot... you gotta remember that alignments are done with the machine measuring tenths of a degree... I will definately agree that alignment guys are a dime a dozen, but finding one that really knows what he/she is doing can save your tires.

DaddyMouse: there are 2 things ken1mod didn't mention. if you adjust this yourself then the air pressure in all 4 tires needs to be correct. You also need to find the most level spot you can to make the adjustments. Worst case you get it as close as you can and test drive it. Make slight adjustments every so often until everything seems fine. I still have to caution you that if the toe is off very much it'll wear your tires a whole lot faster.

Rick

 

rubber bands work on the slip sticks also....adjustable slide sticks were used for decades before these computeried alignment jig rigs were developed on million of rigs
still used by 4wdr mud and creek crawlers on weekend rallys after a hard wheel hit on rock or stump, saves a pair of those $1000 tires

 

DaddyMouse,

Adjusting the toe shouldn't necessarily affect the steering wheel alignment providing the toe is changed by adjusting the effective length of both tie rods by the same amount on each side - that is, shortening or lengthening both by the same amount. You could DIY the toe as described by Ken and then center the steering wheel as described below. If done properly neither one should affect the other.

It's really very easy to center the steering wheel.

You have to increase the effective length of the tie rod on one side of the van and decrease the effective length of the tie rod on the other side of the van by the same amount. This moves the rack - and therefore the steering wheel - without moving the relative position of the road wheels or affecting their alignment.

Loosen the lock nut and screw in the tie rod on one side and screw out the tie rod on the other side by the same amount. Start off with 1/4 turn. Test drive to see what difference that makes. Make further adjustments as necessary.

To move the steering wheel clockwise you need to decrease the effective length of the driver's side tie rod (as previously described) and increase the effective length of the passenger side tie rod by the same amount.


Jan Richter

 

Alignment done by a good tech and good equipment is definitely superior. No question. Next time you get an alignment, ask when their equipment was last calibrated by the manufacturer. Usually the tires are toed in slightly at rest so when rolling resistance of the running vehicle pulls the wheels to zero toe in .

Ken

 

What the exotic ways you offer gues! Aero needs front wheel ajustment every 50 k, and it is not so easy as you think. To ajust front wheel you need laser, adaptor and scales, but this is long story.... I have Josam TruclAligner, that lets me ajust front wheels and rear axe by the frame centerline and I did it in 5 hours....

Better visit dealer and let them do it in workshop.

 

so what do you charge Pablo for a front wheel alignment on an Aero?

remember, there were no alignment machines for those shiny new '51 Ford V8 flathead PUs

 

Read carefully aero's tech info. Well.... Josam Truck Aligner is rare Equipment, used by Truck Plants, like DC, Volvo-Truck, Scania, Paccar and other, but there are many other Alining Mashines, like Bosch, Hoffman and other, they align front wheels by the rear axe centerline (not by the frame), but if your aero was not in serious accident, use this way....
BTW, I used Josam Truck Aliner for old Gaz-51 '62 and GAZ-47 (with engine of Ford AA) 1936!!!!

 

Daddy Mouse,
Been there several times trying to set toe-in on new/replacement tie rods. Did all the same measurements to affect an exact, to-the-thread reinstallation, only to find the steering wheel off by 10-15 degrees. Back to the alignment shop, which confirmed the settings were further off than imagined. I couldn't figure out how I could that far off when I measured so carefully.

What is overlooked is the wear inherent in the old tie rods. If you set the new tie rod ends at the same place as the worn ones, then yes, things will be considerably out of spec. As mentioned above, specs are down to around 16ths and 32nds of inches. Since aligment is set at static conditions, alignment guys say on older vehicles, they usually set toe to nearly zero since the normal amount of wear and "slop" in front ends at speed will tend to force the toe into a larger value.

 

Wow old thread... Just to clear things up. Installing two tie rod ends and aligning the toe isn't a rocket science but takes a little patience and knowledge.. First off the stock ends are junk get rid of them. Good aftermarket are as low as $11.00 and are fine. You don't need moog unless you want them. They both are standard thread right hand.
Once you get the new ones installed just measure on the tread of the tire the same each time. Measure on the front and on the back half way up van on the ground. You should back up 20 ft or so and pull up before you measure. On a 96 aero 4wd you should be 1/32 toed out. On a 2wd you should be 1/16 towed in. If you need to go in you tighten both tie rods inward say half turn. Back the van up 20 ft and pull back up check measurement.Do this every time you adj. When you get the toe correct take it for a drive to check the wheel is straight. If not you have to turn each side the same amount until the wheel is straight.For example say your steering wheel is off to the right you need to pull the wheels to the right with the tie rods so drivers side gets tightened and pass gets loosened the exact amount until the wheel is centered. I always double check my toe when I'm done centering the wheel. And watch out you don't turn the tierod when tightening the jam nut...Good luck Oh! I did all three of my 96's
If I forgot anything let me know..

Dick

 

Ken...My '93 Aero* ext. 4wdr has developed a right steering pull as well. The front tires are not wearing excessively so I assume its not a toe-in problem. Would it be a caster adjustment like yours?

Thanks.

 

Don't forget to check for a dragging brake.. Toe adj will and can cause van to shoot off to one side. Make sure its 1/32 toe out. Should be the same as my 96's. Do the easy stuff first..


Dick