toe in and toe out
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,957
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
I assume you are talking about the sleeves that hold the tie rode ends together? You must loosen the clamps and then just turn them (you may have to use a pair of channel locks or a pipe wrench is better) one way or the other. This will make the tie rod assy. longer or shorter. Be sure to turn the same amount on each side so your steering wheel will stay centered. Use a tape measure to measure the distance between the tires on the front and back of the front tires and set to 1/4" toed in (so 1/4" less distance on the front of the front tires than on the back of the front tires). Be sure to press outward on the front tires as hard as you can to simulate the pressure of going down the road before you measure.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,957
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
this should be done on an aglinement rack
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 236
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you can get it damn close with a tape measure
i replaced balljoints and tie rod ends in my driveway, did eveything with a tape measure. I took it to the alignment shop and everything was within spec.
However i would still get it checked at the shop.
i replaced balljoints and tie rod ends in my driveway, did eveything with a tape measure. I took it to the alignment shop and everything was within spec.
However i would still get it checked at the shop.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
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Thats fine , you can do it that way if you wan't . I like to use the alglinement rack because its more acurate & you can check your caster & camber to , my son doe's this for a living so i have the use of the rack anytime i want....Lew
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,957
Likes: 592
From: Greater Austin, Texas
It helps a lot if you have an alignment man you can trust. Those are harder and harder to find for Ford Twin-I-Beam trucks. Personally I only trust me with this but Lew you have a connection in the family, most of us don't have that.
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Senior User
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An alignment is $60, actually I just paid $59.95 at my local Ford dealership. I'd rather have the peace of mind, knowing it was done the right way instead of trying to do it in my driveway. They will also adjust the caster and camber while its there if need be.
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