Tie rod ends and front end alignment

[AirSpeed]

Last week I was looking for a noise coming out of my front end, I jacked up the front end and shook the crap out of everything, everything was tight and the only thing I could find that could be making the noise was the upper leaf spring bushing. Today I replaced the bushings and the noise it now gone but I found that both tie rod ends were VERY worn and very sloppy. I can't figure out how they could be so sloppy after just a few days!
Anyway, I ordered new ones, they will be here tomorrow and now I'm curious what I can do to keep the front end aligned when I replace the tie rod ends on my other truck I remember spinning the wheels while holding a piece of chalk against the tread, drawing a line all the way around then measuring the line, making sure I end up with the same measurements after I install the new ends. I can't get time to have the front end aligned at a shop for at least a week. Are there any other methods I could use to get the alignment very close? Thanks! Aaron.
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[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by AirSpeed

Last week I was looking for a noise coming out of my front end, I jacked up the front end and shook the crap out of everything, everything was tight and the only thing I could find that could be making the noise was the upper leaf spring bushing. Today I replaced the bushings and the noise it now gone but I found that both tie rod ends were VERY worn and very sloppy. I can't figure out how they could be so sloppy after just a few days!
Anyway, I ordered new ones, they will be here tomorrow and now I'm curious what I can do to keep the front end aligned when I replace the tie rod ends on my other truck I remember spinning the wheels while holding a piece of chalk against the tread, drawing a line all the way around then measuring the line, making sure I end up with the same measurements after I install the new ends. I can't get time to have the front end aligned at a shop for at least a week. Are there any other methods I could use to get the alignment very close? Thanks! Aaron.
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Marking a line on the tire and measuring front & back is the way to go, about a 1/8 toe in, done right and you shouldn't need to go to the alignment shop.

[Longhorn Man]

I measure the distance from zerk fitting on the inner, to the zerk fitting to the outer, then make the new one the same length.

[AirSpeed]

Thanks guys! I will try a combination of both!
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[68gmsee]

And you could also try the counting the threads method by counting how many revolutions it takes to remove it. I always lose count.

[85_C10_Sleeper]

i run 1/16 " of tow on 30's But thats just me. I wouldnt run anymore than 1/4 on a normal size tire. and i would do 1/16 at the least.

And as far as method goes, i scribe the tires and get a buddy to help me measure it. make sure your accurate were you measure! First time i did it my friend kept moving the measuring tape up and down every measurement!