do your own alignment

euclid · 01-26-06, 06:13 PM

Unless you have indications in the handling that the caster is off, then it's not worth paying an alignment shop. Caster is only adjusted by stuffing tapered shims between the axle and the springs, and camber can't be adjusted.

The only other adjustment, and what a shop will charge you $50 to adjust is something you can do in an hour or so in your driveway. Here's how:

Toe in is very important, but easy to set. Measure up from the ground to the middle of the hub, then put a strip of masking tape across the front tires at the same height, front and rear. Then find the middle of the tread, you end up with a big + on the tires. Then just measure the distance between the + signs on the front and rear of the tire, adjust till the front is about 1/8" less than the rear. It really helps to have a second person to hold the other end of the tape steady on the other side of the truck.

euclid · 01-26-06, 06:14 PM

front view

Tinker · 01-26-06, 08:01 PM

There's a post recently where a mudder stated (we're all mudders, no?) had set his toe similar to you, but found out his truck drove better after a professional job.

I think your method would be great to get "close enough" after a suspension rebuild or upgrade. Not trying to diss ya, but do we have a conclusive answer for the best way to get our trucks aligned?

lowtideride · 01-26-06, 08:21 PM

Yulp adjust toe in by myself. After the monkeys at the shop fudged it up...

Cruiserdrew · 01-26-06, 08:29 PM

All 3 of my Cruisers have driveway adjusted toe-in. As you say, it's dead simple.

euclid · 01-26-06, 09:21 PM

I doubted myself the first time I did it. Paid $50 to find out I did it right.

SurfPonto · 01-26-06, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid

Unless you have indications in the handling that the caster is off, then it's not worth paying an alignment shop. Caster is only adjusted by stuffing tapered shims between the axle and the springs, and camber can't be adjusted.

Toe in is very important, but easy to set. Measure up from the ground to the middle of the hub, then put a strip of masking tape across the front tires at the same height, front and rear. Then find the middle of the tread, you end up with a big + on the tires. Then just measure the distance between the + signs on the front and rear of the tire, adjust till the front is about 1/8" less than the rear. It really helps to have a second person to hold the other end of the tape steady on the other side of the truck.

OK now I have a weekend project. Looks pretty straightforward.

Bob
1977 FJ40 "MuMu"
1992 FJ80 "Tubbs"

1982 FJ60 FS

Tinker · 01-27-06, 05:12 AM

Measuring across the tires assumes they're perfectly round & straight. How about putting the front axle on jack stands & holding a piece of chalk stationary as close to the center of the tire as you can while turning each wheel, thereby inscribing a circumference line? Then measure around each wheel & mark 2 halfway points. Then use a level to get these marks horizontal & proceed with the measuring & adjustment of the tie rod.

sven · 01-27-06, 06:13 AM

so, all you need is a tape mearsure and some masking tape.....you don't even have to touch a wrench. This is great...I can't believe the shops aren't onto this one. I'll be trying it this weekend.

60wag · 01-27-06, 06:54 AM

You'll need a wrench or two to make an actual adjustment. Finding a good referance point on the tire is easier said than done. I like Tinkers idea of a chalk circle drawn while rotating the tire.

sven · 01-27-06, 07:40 AM

the directions for adjustment...this should be in the factory manual though....haven't looked but need to do some on my unit

nuclearlemon · 01-27-06, 07:54 AM

i've done all mine with no issues.

Clutchee · 01-27-06, 08:13 AM

Great write up Greg!

bustanutley · 01-27-06, 08:53 AM

I pull my wheels on my 40 and use c-clamps to clamp long pieces of angle to my rotors, measure and do the math to make it 1 deg toe-in per FSM. Doesn’t really matter much when your housing is kinda tweaked though.

FJTOYMAN · 01-27-06, 10:02 AM

Great write up.

This should be added to the FAQ.

euclid · 01-27-06, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sven

the directions for adjustment...this should be in the factory manual though....haven't looked but need to do some on my unit

Yeah, step one of every project is go get your FSM and read what it says.

daner · 01-27-06, 11:32 AM

You must have been reading my mind when when you did this write up-Thanks for sharing!

mmw68 · 01-30-06, 07:35 AM

Greg,
That was great, now please do a write up of the power steering box, that is next weeks project.

-mark

euclid · 01-30-06, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmw68

Greg,
That was great, now please do a write up of the power steering box, that is next weeks project.

-mark

Ok, here it is:
Take the box off. Send it to West Texas Off Road. When it gets back put it back on. Done.

HTH

LoneRanger · 01-30-06, 06:22 PM

Is it the same for 60s as for 62's?

Cruiserdrew · 01-30-06, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps40-2

Is it the same for 60s as for 62's?

Yes, and 80's and 40's as well.

WSUCruiser · 01-30-06, 07:39 PM

What are you guys using to turn the bars. Mine are stuck. Tried a pipe wrench, but i was concerned that i'd rip off a tie-rod end.

It's soaking in PBBlaster right now. Any other clues?

-Dave-

euclid · 01-30-06, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUCruiser

What are you guys using to turn the bars. Mine are stuck. Tried a pipe wrench, but i was concerned that i'd rip off a tie-rod end.

It's soaking in PBBlaster right now. Any other clues?

-Dave-

Try heating them if PB doesn't work.

mudpaws · 05-04-07, 12:31 AM

Someone mentioned earlier about raising the truck on stands: For any front end aligning, you definitely need to have the truck on the ground, "loaded" suspension---meaning truck's weight on springs/front end. HTH

cody c · 05-04-07, 07:17 AM

did mine kinda like that, brought it to a mechanic i trust, and found it to be within less than 1 degree of where it should be.

Crashly · 05-04-07, 09:36 AM

I like the way you did the measuring, But what about getting the front wheels in line with the rear wheels?

John McVicker · 05-04-07, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUCruiser

What are you guys using to turn the bars. Mine are stuck. Tried a pipe wrench, but i was concerned that i'd rip off a tie-rod end.

It's soaking in PBBlaster right now. Any other clues?

-Dave-

You can't really hurt the bar with a pipe wrench. If it's stuck use a big wrench..REALLY big if necessary.

Mine was so stuck one time, took it to a shop, put it on a lift & we both hung off the wrench & still no movement. Shop owner gave up. Took it back home & got the biggest pipe wrench I had, handle was probally 15-18 in long, got my really small $19 Harbor Freight floor jack to the handle. And it poped right loose. Once loose, then you can move the bar either way for proper adjustment. Like I said, you can't hurt that bar with a wrench.

Good write up Greg.

John

Mace · 05-04-07, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudpaws

Someone mentioned earlier about raising the truck on stands: For any front end aligning, you definitely need to have the truck on the ground, "loaded" suspension---meaning truck's weight on springs/front end. HTH

With a vehicle that has IFS you are absolutely correct, but a truck with a straight axle, even on jackstands the truck has the weight on the axle. Toe in does not change with suspension travel..

I opersonally use a nail or something allong those lines kinda like Tinker does. MUCH easier than figuring out the center of your tire with some tape

hks3sgte · 05-04-07, 11:14 AM

Anybody have a pic of exactly which bar to turn to make an adjustment? My left tire seems to have more toe out then the right one...

John McVicker · 05-04-07, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hks3sgte

Anybody have a pic of exactly which bar to turn to make an adjustment? My left tire seems to have more toe out then the right one...

No picture, but you turn the longer of the 2 bars. The one that actually goes to the knuckles/wheels, not the one that goes to the pitman/steering.

HTH, John