Going to measure for new tie rod and drag links made from DOM. So how do I get the wheels confirmed that they are straight so I can measure for correct length. Is this something I can just "eyeball" and get close enough and let the shop align it by adjusting the tie rod and drag link ends? Are there any reference points I can use on the knuckles or axle to ensure the wheels are pointing straight forward before I measure?
How to confirm wheels are straight
- Thread starter Kent
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I have aligned my trucks using needles/pins stuck in the front and rear of the tires in the same location along with a tape measure. To measure for tie rod and draglink length you should easily be able to measure between the steering arms once you get the tires straight.
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- #3
Ahhh cool idea, thanks. Another quick question - once I get the tires pointed forward I want the pitman arm pointed straight back parallel to the frame rails? I assume this would be the "neutral" starting point, steering wheel at center also.
This is where I want to measure from steering arm to arm and from pitman to steering arm correct?
This is where I want to measure from steering arm to arm and from pitman to steering arm correct?
You need to turn your wheel to lock on one side, Then mark the location, turn it all the way to lock on the other side, Count the rotations, divide by two, Then your pitman arm should be in proper location, do not rely on the wheel as it could have been misaligned.
As far as the tires I usually tape a 36 inch peice of 1/8 tig rod to the outside of the tires and measure front and back, Course I only have 33 inch tires so it work well. For what you are doing if you are within 1/8 to 1/4 inch you should be fine.
Dave
As far as the tires I usually tape a 36 inch peice of 1/8 tig rod to the outside of the tires and measure front and back, Course I only have 33 inch tires so it work well. For what you are doing if you are within 1/8 to 1/4 inch you should be fine.
Dave
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the info Dave - I just need to clarify your instructions. You are referring to the steering wheel turning lock to lock correct. I assume you mean lock to lock on the knuckles? I put mini truck knuckles on so the steering locks are probably not adjusted where I want them at this point. If I understand correctly they should be adjusted so the wiper seal and rings don't hit the knuckles at full turn.
I guess I don't understand how I can do this without a tie rod and drag linked attached. I need to know where to postition the pitman arm so I can get a measurement to have the tie rod made.
I can see how turning the steering wheel and dividing by 2 would find the middle of the travel for the pitman arm but with no rods the steering wheel spins as many times as I can turn it before I get bored
I guess I don't understand how I can do this without a tie rod and drag linked attached. I need to know where to postition the pitman arm so I can get a measurement to have the tie rod made.
I can see how turning the steering wheel and dividing by 2 would find the middle of the travel for the pitman arm but with no rods the steering wheel spins as many times as I can turn it before I get bored
Kent,
First give thanks to coolerman, I will shamelessly link to his sight,
Steering Column Rebuild
There are internal stops in the steering box, You need to find where the middle of the gear box travel is prior to deciding how long to make your links. I was just warning not to trust your steering wheel as it may or may not be centered.
Sorry edited for clarification. Mine is a manual gear box and has stops, I imagined the power steering boxes had internal stops as well. If you have no internal stops in the box then use the wheel center and go from there.
Dave
First give thanks to coolerman, I will shamelessly link to his sight,
Steering Column Rebuild
There are internal stops in the steering box, You need to find where the middle of the gear box travel is prior to deciding how long to make your links. I was just warning not to trust your steering wheel as it may or may not be centered.
Sorry edited for clarification. Mine is a manual gear box and has stops, I imagined the power steering boxes had internal stops as well. If you have no internal stops in the box then use the wheel center and go from there.
Dave
this is easy step 1 buy a bottle of jack then step 2 open the bottle step 3 drink mass amounts step 4 stand back and look just remember the more you drink the better they look
pick up the front spin tire as tire goes around draw a line on both tires set back down measure the distance from line to line across front then back should be the same if they are they are straight to each other done
To adjust toe in, I used two lon straight edges.. With the wheels off, put a straight edge on the WMS each side.. Check for parallel, or whatever it is youre lookin for.. Keep in mind the Ackerman anle.. The more from centre the knuckles are the more they deviate from parallel.. Also keep in mind you need enough adjustment for toe in.. How you check for straight ahead I'm not sure, you need a vehicle centre line reference somewhere to compare to.. I think for what youre attempting sighting the straightness should suffice..
I compare the mesurement between the front of the rims, to the back of the rims. I do not trust the tires to be true enough to take mesurements to 1/16".
Albee
Albee
You can take 2 pieces of pipe, 1 small enough to slide into the other, drill a hole for a set screw, then measure the front, tighten set screw, go to the back, see how far you are off...........
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Everybody is telling you how to check toe. You are wanting to know how to verify the thrust angle is zero.
Easy on a simple vehicle like a cruiser. Use your eyeball. Sight along the outside of the frt tire toward the rear. the imaginary sightline should go just outside the rear tire on both sides. If your sightline shows a little tire on one side, move the steering wheel and try again.
You can get your toe-in pretty close using this method too. If you have a long enough straight edge, lay it across the front tire and see how it lines up with the back tire on each side.
Mybe I am missing something but it sounds like he needs to figure out the center of the steering gear box before moving any further, So does a cruiser or saginaw steering box have internal stops or not??
The only thing you can adjust with the steering linkage is toe. Everything else has to be done from the axles and springs or the knuckles.
Dave
The only thing you can adjust with the steering linkage is toe. Everything else has to be done from the axles and springs or the knuckles.
Dave
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- #15
Dave you are right. I have no tie rod or drag link on the vehicle. I have the saginaw ps gear box mounted and steering arms on the knuckles. I need to measure to have the tie rod and drag links made. Steering wheel is mounted and attached to the gearbox.
I need to line up the steering arms and pitman arm so I can measure between them to have the tie rod and drag link made. I know there is some adjustment in the rod ends as they are threaded but I want to get it close enough so the alignment shop can dial it in.
I don't know if the saginaw gear box has internal stops. It would make sense that if it does I would want to find the middle of that travel and that would be where the pitman arm should be positioned when the wheels are straight.
Hope I'm not making this more confusing than it is.
I need to line up the steering arms and pitman arm so I can measure between them to have the tie rod and drag link made. I know there is some adjustment in the rod ends as they are threaded but I want to get it close enough so the alignment shop can dial it in.
I don't know if the saginaw gear box has internal stops. It would make sense that if it does I would want to find the middle of that travel and that would be where the pitman arm should be positioned when the wheels are straight.
Hope I'm not making this more confusing than it is.
Coolerman
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Measure from the frame rail to the rim edge front and back, move the wheel to make these the same. That will have your wheels pointing straight ahead.
- Thread starter
- #17
Got it, that makes perfect sense. Now.... about that pitman arm The wheels are going straight down the road is the pitman arm pointed straight back or is it turned a bit to either side? I would think it should be pointed straight back so it would have equal travel left and right. This of course assumes straight back is exactly at the mid point of it's full travel.
Maybe that is a better question - how do I find the midpoint of the saginaw ps steering box travel
Does it have internal stops? (I haven't had the chance to check yet)
The wheels are going straight down the road is the pitman arm pointed straight back or is it turned a bit to either side? I would think it should be pointed straight back so it would have equal travel left and right. This of course assumes straight back is exactly at the mid point of it's full travel.Maybe that is a better question - how do I find the midpoint of the saginaw ps steering box travel
Does it have internal stops? (I haven't had the chance to check yet)
Got it, that makes perfect sense. Now.... about that pitman arm
Maybe that is a better question - how do I find the midpoint of the saginaw ps steering box travel
Does it have internal stops? (I haven't had the chance to check yet)
The pitman arm should point straight back when the tires are pointed straight ahead. Yes the Saginaw box has internal stops and to find the mid point turn the box lock to lock counting turns and halve.
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- #19
Cool, thanks for the info all!
