Front alignment

Tiny
JIMB2020
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC G6
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I have been doing my own alignment. I simply equalize the location of the jam nut of the two sides (usually 16 thread counts on the left and 16 on the right), I take the car for a straight line test drive (the wheel being centered), and I observed the stability and steering of the vehicle. I make a note if the car steers to the right or left. Then, I park it, secure it, center the wheel, get under the car and adjust the inner tie rods and re-tighten the jam nuts. This "seems" to correct the miss alignment. Then I do the measurements without the help of a computer. I realize computerized alignments are more accurate for obvious reasons. The question: Lately, I have gotten into the habit of not measuring and relying solely on the test drive and inner tie rod/jam nut adjustments. Could this method be taught? I have to admit, it is tedious and laborious requiring persistence until one gets it to where it "feels" aligned. Could this method be reliable without noticeable tire wear?
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Sunday, April 12th, 2020 AT 7:22 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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The only purpose of an alignment is to ensure the vehicle is driving straight down the road with a straight steering wheel and there are no bent components causing tire wear or other drive-ability issues. If you are doing it this way, there is nothing wrong with that. As you said the machine is much more accurate but it can be done this way because you are manually taking the measurements the machine does. However, it sounds like you are only measuring the toe angle and adjusting the pull either way with toe. If this is the case, you may get away with it on some vehicles but unfortunately this will not correct all alignment issues. In fact it could make some worse but still drive straight down the road.

This is done by camber and caster measurements. Toe is actually the final angle you adjust once you align the others. While you can correct some pull with toe you are most likely going to start seeing significant tire wear if camber is not correct. Basically that means the vehicle is pulling one way or the other due to the top of the tire being too far in or out in relation to the center point of the knuckle and you are correcting this by pointing the leading edge of the tire in or out. This is actually compounding the issue rather then fixing it.

Long story short, you can do it this way if toe is the only angle needing adjustment but you don't know that without measuring the other angles.

Hopefully this helps. Thanks
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Sunday, April 12th, 2020 AT 7:46 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

You need measurements to align a front end.

First, you need to do center point steering. That is where you count the number of turns from lock to lock. Let us say you have 4 turns. Then you turn it back 2 turns and lock it there, That is the center point of the steering rack which is critical.

Then you can set the wheels toe in settings. The wheels need to have 1/8 total toe in and the wheel should be straight and not pull going down the road.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/tie-rod-end-replacement

You can use a toe bar or a tape measure to check the toe in but the toe bar is more accurate.

If you are off on your readings, then you will have tire wear.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

Roy
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Sunday, April 12th, 2020 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
JIMB2020
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Kasekenny1 and Asemaster6371: Great answers.
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Sunday, April 12th, 2020 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Thank you.

Roy
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Sunday, April 12th, 2020 AT 9:52 AM

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