Do It Yourself Front end Alignment

I did mine for the first time this past year. Lifted the front end. Bungeed a broom handle to the outside of each front wheel. Took a tape measure and measured the distance between the broom handles at two points. Behind the tires and in front of the tires.

Rotated the tie rod until the toe was adjusted where I wanted it. Made the equal the first time. Still had a vibration, so I increased the "toe in" by making the distance in the front of the tires shorter. Could still do it more. But where I am at is OK. I don't know what the correct measurement should be.
 
When I aligned my 69 a couple months ago I started by aligning the front tires with the rear tires using a long straight edge. Once the front tires were straight I then toed them in a heavy 1/16".

Doing it this way is a good starting point for those with 2 tie rods (factory Ross steering).
 
I wonder if there is a way you can utilize some laser pointers. I don't think I have a straight edge long enough.

Here is what I was going to try. Three laser pointers, a big piece of cardboard.
Set the cardboard up in front of the jeep.
Locate the center of the front end and mount the first laser pointer there.
Mount one laser pointer on outside of each front wheel.
You should have three dots on the cardboard. Measure the distance between the outside dots and the center to square up the front wheels and then adjust the toe in according to the distance between the outside dots and center dot.

I like the bungee cord and sticks too. I just don't think my front end is square at this point. After squaring it up, the bungee cord and sticks would be a quick way to do it.

I don't have anything that would be a good straight edge. My rear axle housing is more narrow than the front too I think. I'd probably need to go and get a straight edge ruler or something. I'd have to look at it.

Thanks.
 
All you need is a 'bubble' angle gauge and a tape measure. :D
T'head's link is about the best info you will ever find on this. :notworthy:

LG
 
My home front alignment goes like this. First clamp a long straight piece of angle iron on the rotors. Then use the toe-in numbers Lumpy, Dave or Posi gives me. Then find that the tie rod wasn't tight when I was struggling to get'er done. Then I take it to a recommended alignment shop ....... Not the most confidence building method, but its done.
 
Not a bad idea HH. Setting toe-in is a precise operation and with 1/16" to 3/16" there is no room for error.I have done this many times and the trick is to scripe a thin line in the center of the tread with a sharp screwdriver or awl.Make sure wheels are straight ahead and then measure front to rear adjusting until you get the dimension you desire.Tighten clamps and re-check. The thingy with the bubble is a angle finder.Most useful for checking caster * and driveline angles. mike
 
I will run a string from the rear of the rear tire to the front of the front tire on both sides. then adjust the front end until the string just lifts off the front of the rear tires. Then check the toe in as Mstar describes.
 
GatorBate said:
I will run a string from the rear of the rear tire to the front of the front tire on both sides. then adjust the front end until the string just lifts off the front of the rear tires. Then check the toe in as Mstar describes.
Click to expand...


The rear axle has nut'n to do with the toe-in setting of the front axle.......
You must measure from the back of the front tire at the center of the tire tread and at the center of the hub.
Have a line scribed on the centerline of the tire for this. Also, your wheels should be off the ground on both sides.

LG
 
GatorBate said:
I will run a string from the rear of the rear tire to the front of the front tire on both sides. then adjust the front end until the string just lifts off the front of the rear tires. Then check the toe in as Mstar describes.
Click to expand...


Most Jeep rear axle widths are at least 1" narrower than the front axle width so I doubt that will help in your toe in adjustment.............as mentioned before , jack up the vehicle and get someone to spin the front tire while another person takes a scribe , screwdriver or piece of chalk and marks a center line in the tire from the front..............do the same on the opposite side............technically in a front end shop the tires will be dropped unto a swivel plate so that weight is on the front end prior to setting toe in.

With the marks scribed around the total circumference of the tire it's easy to measure front of tire to back and make that adjustment..........a piece of steel plate with a little grease between the tires and the plate will allow the tires when loaded to move enough to make that adjustment.
 
A straight edge from the rear wheel to front is the starting point to correctly align a Ross steering system. Once all 4 are straight shorten both TR's 1 half turn.

Posi said:
When I aligned my 69 a couple months ago I started by aligning the front tires with the rear tires using a long straight edge. Once the front tires were straight I then toed them in a heavy 1/16".

Doing it this way is a good starting point for those with 2 tie rods (factory Ross steering).
Click to expand...
 
I do my own alignments. I got my alignment done at a shop once and I don't think they understood how the moog adjustable camber bushings worked in my ranger. Almost wrecked my truck in the snow on the way home. Now it rides prefect. And I've probably saved myself over a grand since I learned how to do it.
 
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