vibrations! at home alignment job?

[83 chif]

so my truck is vibrating and shaking around quite a bit when I'm cruising. Accelerating isn't too bad, but once I start rolling the whole truck rattles around. I checked my wheel bearings, lug nuts, tires, brakes, and the steering bushings. All is well, so I think, actually I know it has something to do with me replacing my outer tie rod end. Is there any method you guys have for doing an at home alignment? what can I do besides dropping 70 beans on an alignment, which I don't want to do until I get the rest of my lift done.

any advice?

 

[the truck doctor]

it my be due to the wear on the tires. rotate them to see if it helps

 

[KLF]

IFS or solid axle up front?

You can check your toe-in with a tape measure, it's really easy.

 

[dirtoyboy]

I find it hard to measure accurately with knobby tires so I do this....

I can drive 80 mph with no hands on the wheel completely straight. It works very well!

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

That's a cool set up, what are the specs you set it to? And how long are your L pieces?

 

[ToyotaDon]

Okay, I had a whole response typed up, then lost it due to PC trouble, maybe it'll come out better this time.

First of all, in my experience and in published materials, alignment will not directly cause a vibration. Vibration is caused by a component loose, out of balance, or out of round.

I would carefully check all work done previously for anything loose or bent. If you still want to align it, you can set the toe-in using the method mentioned above.
Here's the method from the 1990 FSM:



If you don't have access to those tools, it can be done with a tape measure. A way to mark the tires is to jack up the front end, use white spray paint to mark a line around the center of the tread, then a tool (screwdriver, scribe, etc.) to make a fine line in the center of the paint before it dries. Lower the vehicle and jounce the suspension to settle it. Measure the difference between front and rear of the tires (top view /____\) at the center point (side view -O- ). Then away!

Hope this helps.

 

[dirtoyboy]

That's a cool set up, what are the specs you set it to? And how long are your L pieces?

Set to factory toe-in specs.... The long bars are 36"....the same size as my tires. Just cut 2 pieces the same height of the tires

 

[IDave]

That's sweet!

 

[83 chif]

vibratoin

sorry for the delayed response, i was away for a few days, but tomorrow i'll first try and rotate the tires, as they are all worn differently. then i'll see what happens and move onto a driveway alignment job. thanks for the help. this should keep me busy for a few days

 

[83 chif]

wait a second

how do i turn the tie rod tube deally? there has to be a better way than channel locks, right?

 

[ToyotaDon]

There is a special tool that fits into the slot and wraps around the tube, but most just use channel locks.

There's this:
WA12A, Tool, Tie Rod Adjusting, 3 3/4" (For for large cars and light trucks)

Or one of these:
TRW1, Wrench, Tie Rod

YA2222, Wrench, Tie Rod Adjusting, 10 1/2" (Knurled or 12 mm hex gripping tie rods)

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Channel locks???? Whaooooo no no no!! You're gonna need vice grips for sure!

 

[WristPin]

Channel locks???? Whaooooo no no no!! You're gonna need vice grips for sure!

I use the Force. Its a cinch.

 

[83 chif]

mission accomplished

welp, i took care of the toe adjustments with a tape measurer and some channel locks. i'll take care of the rest before i get new tires, but until then, the vibrations are almost completely gone. the rest i think is from the bad rear u joint.

so thanks for all the tips fellas!