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06-13-2011, 05:40 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fall River California
Posts: 2,026
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Tie rod ends and front end alignment
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. Posted via Mobile Device |
06-13-2011, 06:16 PM | #2 | |
454 MAKES IT ROAR
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Essex, U.K
Posts: 2,701
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Re: Tie rod ends and front end alignment
Quote:
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.
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06-13-2011, 08:38 PM | #3 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,690
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Re: Tie rod ends and front end alignment
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.
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06-14-2011, 02:59 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fall River California
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Re: Tie rod ends and front end alignment
Thanks guys! I will try a combination of both!
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06-14-2011, 09:37 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
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Re: Tie rod ends and front end alignment
And you could also try the counting the threads method by counting how many revolutions it takes to remove it. I always lose count.
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06-14-2011, 09:43 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Riverside, Ca
Posts: 141
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Re: Tie rod ends and front end alignment
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!
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