Self alignment instructions (1 Viewer)

[Lomoski]

Hello and good day my friends. I have ordered new tie rod ends for my KZJ78 and I was looking at the instructions for aligning my truck. I understand the general steps. Jack up the truck, put the axle on axle stands, then mark the centre of the tread line in the tire and 180 degrees opposite on the tire. Then measure the centre marks and offset the front measurements by 1/8 of an inch from the rear. The only thing I don't understand is where i'm measuring from, is it from the centre mark on the front of the tire to the other centre mark on the opposite tire. Then repeat from the centre mark on the back of the tire to the centre mark on the back of the tire. adjust tie rod ends, then rotate wheels 180 degrees and re measure? or am I missing something?

Thanks!

 

[roscoFJ73]

It sounds like it is supposed to give you some toe in. The marks at the rear of the tyre should be 1/8'' further apart than the front mark.

 

[jblueridge]

I did this a few times on my old MG.
I would jack the vehicle up, hold a piece of chalk on the tire in the center of the tread, then spin the tire, thus making a line along the circumference. Repeat for other tire.
Measure between the marks at the extreme front of the tires, then at the back, 180 degrees from the front points.
No need to spin tires after the marking is done.

 

[Lomoski]

I did this a few times on my old MG.
I would jack the vehicle up, hold a piece of chalk on the tire in the center of the tread, then spin the tire, thus making a line along the circumference. Repeat for other tire.
Measure between the marks at the extreme front of the tires, then at the back, 180 degrees from the front points.
No need to spin tires after the marking is done.

So just to confirm, I'm measuring between the marks on the front of the wheels, across the underside of the truck from wheel to wheel correct?

 

[jblueridge]

Yes that is correct. I used to use a primitive caliper made of a 2 x 4 and two metal L brackets. I screwed one L bracket at one end of the board and clamped the other L bracket with a C clamp to match the distance between the marks at the back of the tires. Move to the front side of the tires and adjust the tie rods to give the required 1/8" less (eyeballing it with the wood caliper). The L brackets helped me avoid measuring around some obstacles under the vehicle.