DIY Alignment?

[85LincolnTC]

I apolagize if this has been covered before, but is there a way i could do a front end alignment myself? I understand that if it can be done, it would be far from perfect, but anything would be better than how it is now. If its possible, could someone tell me how to do it?

My car used to drive straight as an arrow, then one day I replaced the outer tie rod ends, and front shocks. I measured the amount of threads showing on the tie rod end, then did the same with the new ones. Apparently I did something wrong though, because ever since then my alignment has been off. its weird though, the tires dont point inward or outward, they just are closer at the the top than the bottom. I dont exactly know if the camber or caster?

Maybe someone could help?

[85LincolnTC]

My car is a 91 GM by the way

[gadget73]

if they lean inward at the top, thats camber. That would not be adjusted by the tie rod ends though. A quickie toe adjustment would be to simply measure the distance from tire to tire on the front and on the back. It helps if you take a piece of chalk and hold it against the tire while spinning it to get a reference point. 0 toe would be the same measurement on each side. I think these cars are supposed to be 1/16" toe in, so the front side would be 1/16" less than the back side. the camber you could use a level if you have the car parked on a known level flat surface. Basically the idea there would be to determine how many degrees off-level the tire is. I think the stock spec is 2-3 degrees but don't hold me to that.

[GM_Guy]

Next time you to tie rods, measure from grease nipple to grease nipple. You can't count on the threads, or length of the rods themselves being the same from one to the next.

Alex.

[85LincolnTC]

Ok, then camber is my problem. How could this happen just by replacing the tie rod ends? And how do I fix it?

[fmansfield444]

not saying it cant be done pretty well by a diy'er that knows a thing or two, but to me the price of a professional alignment is well worth the price of ruining 2 tires, plus you save more gas in the long run. Just my $0.02

[85LincolnTC]

I agree, but my tires are already almost gone on the inside. I went to get it aligned after this first started and most places wouldn't do it because I had new parts mixed with old parts, and I'd have to replace the rest of the worn out front end before they would touch it.

[sly]

jerks... what about take my money and get it close do they not understand.

[85LincolnTC]

Exactly! lol

[gadget73]

if the parts are actually bad, they can't align it. It depends what is worn and how badly though.

[85LincolnTC]

The only parts that I would say are "bad" from what I could see while I was under there were, the inner tie rod ends, upper ball joint boots were ripped, didn't check the lowers but I'd say they aren't much better

[GM_Guy]

If the only thing you did was tie rods, your toe is out. Semi-simple fix, easier if you have a pair of wheels with no tires mounted on them (or make some plywood circles to bolt to the rotors the same diameter as your wheels (27 inches will do). Make sure your steering box is dead center (you do not want to adjust the tierods by cheating and setting one side "correct", then your steering wheel goes off center). Measure up from the floor whatever is conveient and measure from plywood end to end. front and back of the tire (measuring the same distance up from the floor. Adjust as required.

Don't worry about the wheels being canted in at the top. Seems to be normal. (and it helps you go around corners faster without scrubbing the hell out of your outer thread). Mine have a very noticable inward tilt with no tire wear issues becuase of it.

Alex.

[sly]

they said my ball joints were bad but still got it as close as they could.

[85LincolnTC]

You say dont worry about the wheels being in at the top, but when the inner edge of my front tires wear so much its showing the steel belt, within 2 months, I tend to worry. lol

[miamibob]

I would find the best shop possible and have it done right. Why screw with it?? I know a lot of shops suck but somebody in the area has to be ok. Where are you located??