Setting initial alignment

[JohnL]

I refinished the entire front end (knuckles, wheel bearings, strip/POR everything, replace all the tie rod ends, shackles, 4 deg shims, new center arm, refinish OME shocks, etc) and had taken careful notes along the way, including the lengths of the TREs. Now everything is back together and the passenger wheel is cock-eyed, pointing outwards. I noted that the Tie Rod lengths I had before dissassembly were different from the Haynes manual. I suspected this might have been due to wear, adjustments, powersteering installation.

Can anyone help with suggestions for setting the alignment (at least to get it to a shop for final settings) approximately?

thanks all

 

[spotcruiser]

Can anyone help with suggestions for setting the alignment (at least to get it to a shop for final settings) approximately?

Settings straight out of the FSM.

Relay rod: 827 mm (32.56") (tre center to tre center)
Tie rod: 1205 mm (47.44") (tre center to tre center)
Drag link: 855 mm (33.66") (tre center to grease fitting on the steering gear end)

If your tie rod is set correctly, and nothing is bent, your toe-in should be pretty close to good. You should not have one wheel straight and the other at an angle unless something is bent or these are incorrect measurements for the axle/components that you have on your truck.

Hope that helps.
Todd Bull.

 

[JohnL]

Todd, thanks much. Got the fenders on today, will get under there tomorrow and start with those lengths.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Actually, you can set the alignment very accurately yourself with a measuring tape. Put a dot on each tire on the very front. Measure the distance between them very precisely. Roll the truck forward untill the dots face the rear and measure again. Adjust the TIE ROD until the wheels toe in about 1/16-1/8 inch. Then adjust the DRAG LINK to center the steering wheel with the wheels pointing straight ahead. I don't even take the 40 and 60 to the alignment shop anymore-you can do it that well yourself since only the toe in is adjustable. Good job doing the whole front end.

 

[JohnL]

very cool...will try that. thanks for the tip!