Posted by MoparNorm on Monday, March 03, 2003 at 3:33PM :
In Reply to: Alignment posted by Josh on Monday, March 03, 2003 at 9:28AM :
Hi Josh,
There are two procedures, but first you need to know what the factory specs are for your truck, 3/8" toe in or whatever it is. You can use a string as a straight edge from the rear tire to the front, hitting the high points of each tire and note how far in or out the front tire is in relationshiop to the rear. Have your steering wheel pointing straight ahead. Check both sides and note the measurement for an average. Adjust the wheel, in, half of the spec'd toe in from the line ( if 3/8" then each side needs to be 3/16 from the line, on each side) Don't laugh, we use this technique to align NASCAR stock cars that go 200 mph, it will work on your truck.
The second more accurate method takes a buddy or two, two 3' long 2x8's and a tape measure. With the wheel again straight ahead, you place the 2x8's, edge down, flat against the outside of both front tires, measure the distance between the tires at the back and at the front of the tires, board to board. The front distance should be 3/8" less than the back distance, adjust the tie rod until that distance is achieved.
Step 3, wait for Mike the tire man to post here! ha!ha!
MN