The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Garage ?? Front End Alignment with New 235/60/R15

Just installed 23560R15 BF Goodrich, on new disc brake conversion with tapered tie rods and new steering link bar. (Orig straight axle)
Anyone have a process (documented) for a front end alignment at home in the garage?

You can set the toe-in. Raise the front end & take an ice pick or awl. Support the awl with a jack stand or something that will hold it steady & put it up to the tread of the tire around the middle preferably on a continuous tread. Turn the wheel to scribe a mark on the tire all the way around. Do this to both wheels. Set the truck down & have someone hold the end of a tape on the line on the tire on the back side. Measure to the mark on the other tire. Do the same at the front of the tires. The front needs to be about 1/8 in less then the rear. Loosen the clamps & turn the tie rod to adjust it. That is the only adjustment you changed with the work you did. The camber is not adjustable on straight axles without elaborate Equipment & is seldom necessary. I don't know how to measure caster without alignment equipment.

This makes sense but I would think that it assumes there are no bent wheels, correct? If there were it seems to me that would throw the measurement off if in the wrong position or am I missing something?

Thats the reason for scribing the line. If the bearings & kingpins are good & you hold the scriber steady it will be even even if there is runout. I have a measure inst. that goes to the outside of the tires. I have to be shure there is no runout using that.

Do you use a dial indicator, or something else?

Its a log aluminum bar that has an adjustable slide on one end & a 90 degree bar on the other end. It is quick & can be done with one person. I usually roll the vehicle & check it in 2-3 different places to make sure there is no variation. I've had it for 30-40 years but they still sell them.

We use Wheel a Matic on our over the road trucks http://www.wheel-a-matic.com/ They are simple and have been around for over 50 years. Even if you don't buy any of the tools, you can learn a lot by looking at the various tools and reading the instructions.

Looks like a neat setup for the home user or on vehicles with toe only settings. We use the Hunter Hawkeye in our shop.