*49 Chevy Pickup with S10 Front clip Wheel Alignment*

[Zippi]

I had new inner & outer tie rods and adjusting sleeves replaced plus the upper ball joints. The lower ball joints were ok they said. I had the front end aligned at the time and all was fine. A month later I hit some RR tracks and yup....you guessed it. There went my alignment. I would rather do it myself instead of spending that kind of money again. What is the best way to check my alignment and adjust it myself at home?

[PGSigns]

Google caster camber gauges and toe setting. There is a lot out there. Here is just one example.
Jimmy
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...SABEgJdRvD_BwE

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Google caster camber gauges and toe setting. There is a lot out there. Here is just one example.
Jimmy
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...SABEgJdRvD_BwE

Thanks for the link.

[SCOTI]

Not sure how alignment could be upset just from going over RR tracks on a GM based set-up unless things weren't tightened properly & shims fell out.

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Not sure how alignment could be upset just from going over RR tracks on a GM based set-up unless things weren't tightened properly & shims fell out.

You have a point. I did take a look under the front and hand check all the inner and outer tie rods that were replaced and everything felt good. Maybe a second check is needed. I did this test to see how the toe is by checking the length at the front and back of the tire. I didn't have any steel so I used a piece of wood trim. Using wood may not be the most accurate. I'm getting 3/8" toe in.

[SCOTI]

If there are Toe changes, check to see if the tie rods or center-link made contact w/something & got damaged or bent.

[Zippi]

Ok guys, I'm back on my front end alignment. I checked and nothing seems to be loose or bent. I had the wife help and checked the dimensions on the front of the tire and at the back of the front tire. Front measured 62 1/4" and at the back it measured 62 3/4" so looks like toe in to me. I tried the string check and set up at string on both sides of the truck being parallel to the truck and the string was same distance across at the front and the back. This was just to subjective and to much eye balling to do any good for me. I got toe out when I did it this way so I believe the measurements on the tire to be more accurate showing toe in. The front end is off a 91 Chevy S10. Looking at the pic (drivers side), if I loosen both nuts, which way should I turn the adjusting sleeve for more toe out? Since I don't really know which tire may be out I think my plan is to adjust both sides just a little and take a test drive and keep doing that until I'm satisfied. Unless someone else has a better plan of attack.

[SCOTI]

I can never remeber which way the sleeve needs to go for extending or reducing length so I aways scribe a starting point line as a reference & keep track of 'turns'. Do one side a turn or 2 & recheck measurements to see if you're going in or out.

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I can never remeber which way the sleeve needs to go for extending or reducing length so I aways scribe a starting point line as a reference & keep track of 'turns'. Do one side a turn or 2 & recheck measurements to see if you're going in or out.

Yeah, I guess I can play with that. Did some quick research and looks like 1/8" toe should be about right so looks like I may need to get that right first. Just not sure which tire to adjust or maybe both???

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Zippi

Yeah, I guess I can play with that. Did some quick research and looks like 1/8" toe should be about right so looks like I may need to get that right first. Just not sure which tire to adjust or maybe both???

You can try measuring off a reference spot on each tire (same groove/spot for each side) to a spot 90° across @ the frame rail (again trying to maintain consistancy on where you measure from). Look for a similar hole or bracket or same distance from a bracket. The key is consistancy.

See if one side is grossly off vs the other. If yes, adjust the one side thats farther off (or closer) to be equal to or closer w/the other. If no, move them equally.

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You can try measuring off a reference spot on each tire (same groove/spot for each side) to a spot 90° across @ the frame rail (again trying to maintain consistancy on where you measure from). Look for a similar hole or bracket or same distance from a bracket. The key is consistancy.

See if one side is grossly off vs the other. If yes, adjust the one side thats farther off (or closer) to be equal to or closer w/the other. If no, move them equally.

Thanks for the info. Going to work on it this week if I get a chance.