the job to just check the alignment of the front and rear wheels only takes a few minutes . on this occasion I had to stop and make the trammel bar to check the toe in / out. so it took me a few hrs. what also takes time is lifting the tires so you can make a line around the tire.you can use tape as i did here or you can mark up the tire with chalk and them scratch a line in the chalk mark.
This procedure checks the alignment of the front and back wheels. for the toe in or out I use a tram bar that gives you the measure with in a 32nd", if you did a good job of marking the tape on the tire....Another thing that I do some times is place some aluminum plates under the front and rear tires on one side. these plates are separated by several welding rods that provide a roller effect and it allows the suspension to find it natural point. You can also put weight in the drives seat.
hey,(rookie here) this check is for toe, right? and did you check the tire pressure making sure they are relative to each other, and what about the weight of the engine causing a slight camber wont that interfere with your pencil gaps?
Interesting. I just replaced the strut assy.'s on my 94 Plymouth. The toe is way out now (despite my careful marking of everything) so I may adjust it this way to get me to the shop without wearing my tires badly. Good info, thanks.
Hello Roydonde, To get a good check of the toe in and toe out you need to have a tram bar to do the job. The string shows the relation of the front wheels to the back wheels. for a short trip as you describe it will work.
hello dberg76, when you are putting the masking tape on the wheel for the toe in check , you look at the tire while you spin it . If your wheel is bent you need to replace it before you continue . This process does not check your caster or camber. In my other driveway it is very flat and I use a square to check to see how the tires are in relation to the cement driveway which is level from side to side and sloped 1/8 th in per 8 feet front to back.
Never trust your home measurement system until you verify it against a real alignment shop. Also, measure to the rim, not the tire, since damaged or old tires frequently have lumps from delamination.
jeepers2655, I do agree that using the flat part of the rim bead would be more accurate. for the toe in toe out adjust have used the trammel bar which is quite accurate. the string mainly lets you know if the rear wheels are in line with the front. Quick and dirty check to get a look at what you have.
I dont see how, can you explain? the way he is using the pencil to show how off the tire alignment is does not dependent on a possible small tire width differences, but rather the other pencil held up by the string.
hello allblackls..... This system is used to give you a look at the relation of the front wheels to the back wheels. the tires and rims need to be the same so that your measurements are correct. The toe in or out is adjusted with a tram bar that gives you that measure . the pencil just spaces out the string to a set dimension from the tire. With the fifth pencil you can see if the front and back tires are in line front to back. hope that helps.......R.Nark
Hello, you want the tie rod system tight so that there is no free play in the steering. If you have a bent tie rod it most likely bent in the threaded section. This is where it is easy to start a crack. Best to change the rod end.
The method is correct for adjusting the toe, in theory, because some cars have a different wheel base on the front axle and the back axle. In other words: the distance between the two front wheels may be different than the distance between the two rear wheels -- simply because that is how the car was designed. Therefore, you have a trapeze and not a rectangle -- the left side string is not parallel with the right side string. How much this matters? Depends on the wheel base difference.
When it was slow, we would just use tape measures to measure the distances from the front of the two front tires and rear of the two front tires. we would set it then check it with the machine and it was pretty close. it would track streight anyway. there is nothing wrong with stuff like this when you replace parts and need to get it in line untill you get it to a shop.
Hey rnarks. Dont let these fuckers talk shit. This is genius. I was an alignment "tech" at a well known shop and it was all horse shit. those machines are never calibrated and the "tech" are usually kids who know nothing about cars. all you learn how to do is track streight regardless of the "proper" alighnment for minimum tire wear.
no I have no taken it to the alignment shop . when i finished with the trammel bar you get the wheels parallel within a 32nd . it has been thousands of miles since I did the alignment tune up and the tires a not wearing to excess . as I stated in the video I leave the tape on the tires after I had finished and can drive it from downtown L.A. to LAX and back and the tape is still on the tires. it is cracked but not scuffed off where the tire contacts the road so the tire ware is minimal. R.Nark
I used to have an MGB and the shop manual listed a method to align. It didn't use string but 2x4 measured and marked then a steel rule C-clamped to each end. Just like your metal bar.
wanted to mainly cut down on the rolling resistance of the car and to cut down on the wear of the tires . the masking tap lasted for about 60 miles before coming off, so the tires were not scuffing and the car will go down the road and not pull to one side or the other. caster and camber take more instrumentation to check . since the front tires have been wearing even was not too worried about it.
for back wheels the default convergence is usually .2 degrees on a car like that.. 4 meters long
front wheels wel.... you can align them by feeling the steering... specially if the tires are low profile ones,
TheYTCable 2 months ago in playlist More videos from rnarks
the job to just check the alignment of the front and rear wheels only takes a few minutes . on this occasion I had to stop and make the trammel bar to check the toe in / out. so it took me a few hrs. what also takes time is lifting the tires so you can make a line around the tire.you can use tape as i did here or you can mark up the tire with chalk and them scratch a line in the chalk mark.
rnarks 5 months ago
How long does it take you to do the job?
jjenson2006 5 months ago
GOOD very good, I should learn that technique long time ago , a guy was doing it for me with tape measure string and special hand metal made bar !
leogabyflorida 7 months ago
Camber?..caster?,,Thrust angle?...Steering axis inclination?....So do you like wearing out tires or do you prefer steering instability...
plokloon83 9 months ago
That's all you need! Ingenious!
SalernoAutoRepair 10 months ago
This procedure checks the alignment of the front and back wheels. for the toe in or out I use a tram bar that gives you the measure with in a 32nd", if you did a good job of marking the tape on the tire....Another thing that I do some times is place some aluminum plates under the front and rear tires on one side. these plates are separated by several welding rods that provide a roller effect and it allows the suspension to find it natural point. You can also put weight in the drives seat.
rnarks 1 year ago
hey,(rookie here) this check is for toe, right? and did you check the tire pressure making sure they are relative to each other, and what about the weight of the engine causing a slight camber wont that interfere with your pencil gaps?
mrkhristoff 1 year ago
That is a fact that you want to check by spinning the wheel.
rnarks 1 year ago
Every wheel has some runout that must be compensated or the alignment will not be accurate.
dberg76 1 year ago
Interesting. I just replaced the strut assy.'s on my 94 Plymouth. The toe is way out now (despite my careful marking of everything) so I may adjust it this way to get me to the shop without wearing my tires badly. Good info, thanks.
roydonde 1 year ago
Hello Roydonde, To get a good check of the toe in and toe out you need to have a tram bar to do the job. The string shows the relation of the front wheels to the back wheels. for a short trip as you describe it will work.
rnarks 1 year ago
Lol dude dont FALL ASLEEP ON THE WHEEL IF THAT IS HOW YOU CHECK YUR ALIGNMENT IF NOT YOU WILL SO CRASH
Recoilroler 1 year ago
what about camber? This is great for tow in/out, but won't work for camber.
55512123 1 year ago
How do you compensate for wheel runout? How do you check the thrust angle?
dberg76 1 year ago
hello dberg76, when you are putting the masking tape on the wheel for the toe in check , you look at the tire while you spin it . If your wheel is bent you need to replace it before you continue . This process does not check your caster or camber. In my other driveway it is very flat and I use a square to check to see how the tires are in relation to the cement driveway which is level from side to side and sloped 1/8 th in per 8 feet front to back.
rnarks 1 year ago
i like the way you use and by looking how your hands looks like i would say that your are a freaking intelligent and hard worker man :D
youssefqazwsx 1 year ago
Thanks for this video. My fiance found it very useful!
jeonthom 1 year ago
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Great video Mark! Check us out and see what you think?
MrQuicktrick 1 year ago
Good idea. Allot cheaper then going to a shop. Much more reliable then eying the front end and doing break stops.
Just did my ball joints and tie rods on both sides of my blazer. LOL going to go out and see how far I was off with "measuring" with the old eye. :)
Gotta love the internet and the people who share knowledge.
deadman12078 1 year ago
Never trust your home measurement system until you verify it against a real alignment shop. Also, measure to the rim, not the tire, since damaged or old tires frequently have lumps from delamination.
Theriomalstrom 1 year ago
lmfao cat
13scott71 1 year ago
Thanx man you rock
igrewold 2 years ago
Hello
jeepers2655, I do agree that using the flat part of the rim bead would be more accurate. for the toe in toe out adjust have used the trammel bar which is quite accurate. the string mainly lets you know if the rear wheels are in line with the front. Quick and dirty check to get a look at what you have.
rnarks 2 years ago
you should use the rims,not the tires ,because no tires are alike,and gap will be more correct using rims,unless they are bent.......
jeepers2655 2 years ago
@jeepers2655
I dont see how, can you explain? the way he is using the pencil to show how off the tire alignment is does not dependent on a possible small tire width differences, but rather the other pencil held up by the string.
allblackls 1 year ago
hello allblackls..... This system is used to give you a look at the relation of the front wheels to the back wheels. the tires and rims need to be the same so that your measurements are correct. The toe in or out is adjusted with a tram bar that gives you that measure . the pencil just spaces out the string to a set dimension from the tire. With the fifth pencil you can see if the front and back tires are in line front to back. hope that helps.......R.Nark
rnarks 1 year ago
Yes that is a stray cat that has adopted us several years back, My wife calls her Electra.
rnarks 2 years ago
pretty cool did i spot your cat?? haha hope he helped out
ringbolt9 2 years ago
Hello, you want the tie rod system tight so that there is no free play in the steering. If you have a bent tie rod it most likely bent in the threaded section. This is where it is easy to start a crack. Best to change the rod end.
rnarks 2 years ago
If the front right and left tie rods are worn out or bent could wheel alignment still be done?
check9264 2 years ago
The method is correct for adjusting the toe, in theory, because some cars have a different wheel base on the front axle and the back axle. In other words: the distance between the two front wheels may be different than the distance between the two rear wheels -- simply because that is how the car was designed. Therefore, you have a trapeze and not a rectangle -- the left side string is not parallel with the right side string. How much this matters? Depends on the wheel base difference.
iacobt 2 years ago
It is all about tire wear, and It is not wearing the tires. do similar procedure on my 73 Datsun 620pu and get 65k on tires .
rnarks 2 years ago
When it was slow, we would just use tape measures to measure the distances from the front of the two front tires and rear of the two front tires. we would set it then check it with the machine and it was pretty close. it would track streight anyway. there is nothing wrong with stuff like this when you replace parts and need to get it in line untill you get it to a shop.
heatherandpaul2 2 years ago
Hey rnarks. Dont let these fuckers talk shit. This is genius. I was an alignment "tech" at a well known shop and it was all horse shit. those machines are never calibrated and the "tech" are usually kids who know nothing about cars. all you learn how to do is track streight regardless of the "proper" alighnment for minimum tire wear.
heatherandpaul2 2 years ago
Now take it to a shop and get it checked and then show us how accurate your pencil method is.
SauronsEye 3 years ago
Exactly, my thoughts.
Rnarks, have you done this then taken it in for an alignment check?
DrMotorDude 2 years ago
no I have no taken it to the alignment shop . when i finished with the trammel bar you get the wheels parallel within a 32nd . it has been thousands of miles since I did the alignment tune up and the tires a not wearing to excess . as I stated in the video I leave the tape on the tires after I had finished and can drive it from downtown L.A. to LAX and back and the tape is still on the tires. it is cracked but not scuffed off where the tire contacts the road so the tire ware is minimal. R.Nark
rnarks 2 years ago
I used to have an MGB and the shop manual listed a method to align. It didn't use string but 2x4 measured and marked then a steel rule C-clamped to each end. Just like your metal bar.
DrMotorDude 2 years ago
@DrMotorDude My thoughts exactly.
bootyman234 2 years ago
good job brother
sasazat 3 years ago
wanted to mainly cut down on the rolling resistance of the car and to cut down on the wear of the tires . the masking tap lasted for about 60 miles before coming off, so the tires were not scuffing and the car will go down the road and not pull to one side or the other. caster and camber take more instrumentation to check . since the front tires have been wearing even was not too worried about it.
rnarks 3 years ago
Heh heh heh, good method. I am curious about caster though. It might be good to put a little toe in on the front tires.
brimtv 3 years ago