The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Front end alignment - Do I really need it ?

What are the odds that I was able to insert the new tie rod and end perfectly ending with a perfectly aligned front end ?

The truck is driving wonderfully. So should I still take it in for alignment? And if so, to me the only thing an alignment shop can do is tweak the tie rod (adjusting the toe-in). Can't do much with the caster wedges for they are in. Its got new king pins.

I need to be care for myy truck doesn't take kindly to stranger playing with it.

Tire wear is the biggest concern - second to performance under hard braking. If it steers fine, then you may just find the inside of the tire worn out before the outside is ready, which adds up in the long run.

Alignment might be cheaper than a new set of tires!

-Boyo

Just get yer tape measure under there , and check the distance between the tyres in front of the axle and behind the axle , and have the front dimension 1/8" less.
A smaller difference if you are running on radials.

Get the alignment, it's the only way to know where you are at. Just because the caster and camber aren't easily adjusted doesn't mean they are properly set. Besides, with the roads we drive on now, periodic alignments should be done anyway.
Better safe than sorry,
Scott

craig check with the local tire shops and see if anyone does a free alignment check. If so go and have the alignment check. Ask them for a printout of your alignment and how much they will charge (estimate) Then go home and make the adjustments your self. (NOTE if you put a tape measure to your wheels there are somethings that you want to check first. 1 make sure the tires are all air up to the same psi. 2 make sure you are a flat and level surface. 3 make sure you measure from the same place on each tire, I recomend the rim as it is more consistant then the sidewall of your tire.)

Good luck

Guys,
I'll do the check this weekend and let everyone know the results.

Today I measured rim to rim both front and back and yes the front is 7/16" less than the rear. Tomorrow I will adjust to meet the 1/8" less in front. It's nice knowing that I have all new equipment underneath to mess with.

A professional alignment is still a good idea. The computerized aligners can find (and help correct) deviations far smaller than can be found with a tape measure or string method. The results of a good alignment are impressive.

Rim to rim is quite different than center to center on the tires. The rim diameter is 15 or 16" and the tire tread is out at about 29". This would give you completely different results. The standard way is to mark the center of the tires with fine chalk.

Truckernix you are right but he will still be closer then he was when he started.

Took the truck in today and boy am I glad I did. All they did was to point out a few mistakes or concerns based upon my recent front axle installation.

The tie rod end nuts (which has the cotter pin) weren't tighten up enough as well as the connecting rod nuts. I didn't get a chance to re adjust the front hub bearings after I installed the front wheels, so excessive play was seen there as well. Finally after they tightened up everything, they were then finally able to check the alignment with their fancy machine. Loosened and tweaked the tie rod a little.

I thought it ran great before I brought it in but now there is zero slop. Almost as soon as I start turning the steering wheel, the truck turns.

Best $65.50 I spent..........

Did you notice what kind of aligner they had? I used to work for Hunter on the programming for their computerized alignment systems. The job had plenty of upsides, but I did get to take my car in and align it in the training garage whenever I needed to, and I'm certified to align cars, light trucks, medium-duty trucks, and semis.

I just got a brand new Hunter system installed in my school shop. The lift is big enough to accomodate a crew-cab dually truck, or anything smaller! Guess I'll be doing some serious alignment work, 2 and 4-wheel!
Jerry

Hotrod, which model is the alignement console? Which wheel sensors does it have? I was always partial to the optical target sensors.

It was installed while I've been out with my heart problem. I'll post some pics in a few days.
Jerry