I bought a 97 explorer a couple of months ago. The dealer had replaced the ball joints on the passenger side an said the others were fine. He also added the alignment had just been done. I just noticed both front tires are worn badly on the inside edge. These were brand new tires. I assume I need new ball joints on the drivers side but do not have the money now. I would like to do a quick alignment just to change the ware on the tires for a week or two. I have done this on a old F-150 many years ago. Can anyone give me any advice on how to go about this?

Thanks for your help, Todd

 

normally scuffing on the inside or outside edge of the tires is due to toe-in or toe-out being off. I always park on a LEVEL surface, then check the tires "tilt" inward at the top with a level on the outside of the tire. lean inward should be about 1/4 to 3/8 inch. If you have checked the ball joints and know that they are not "shot" then you can do an alignment.. to do a toe in - toe out, set a cement block outisde of each front tire. laly a 2 x 4 or similar on each tire pointing front to back... you get on one side and have buddy on the other front tire, each push the 2 x 4 up aginst the tire.. 2 x 4 must be straight. Now take a 12 foot ruler and measure fron our side to buddys side, outside the 2 x 4 in front of tire, and then behind tire... front should be 3/16 narrower than rear. thats toe -in.... if it is not 3/16, you loosen up one tie rod and adjust in or out to get it... you determine which tie rod to adjust by looking at steering wheel and see if it is tilted left or right when tires point straight ahead........ I have done all my aliggnments at home for 30 years. NEVER taken to shop....... the "tilt in" with the level in the first step can tell you if the ball joints are wearing, and also tell you if the A- frames were reinstalled in correct spots after changing ball joints.

 

Thanks Steve I never thought of using a 2x4. When I did it I mesured from the outside edge of the tire and used a china marker to mark the center. I did not have a lot of faith in my accuracy.

Thanks for the great advice, Todd