Technical Right side tie rod end adjustment
- Thread starter mramstedt
- Start date
Currently reading:
Technical Right side tie rod end adjustment
No you should now get the wheels aligned by a garage with the correct equipment.
Of course this is the easy way of doing it, a Hunter system would give me the numbers in seconds. I was just wondering about the mechanics around the phenomenon. If nothing else has been changed then one side (right) tie rod end, steering is straight and now have slight pull to the left, there must be an logical explanation of the incorrect position. Any home mechanics out here?
dtimmins1985
Established member
Its almost impossible to track / align the car at home... you could be half a turn off or even 10 turns off... you need a laser alignment system to get it right now.
I agree that alignment can’t be done with out equipment, for the effort required to do this at home in terms of manufacture for a home system it’s not with it. The place I go to cost 30 pounds for 4 wheel alignment. I understand the relationship between the direction you go and the steering wheel being central, I have had many successes by slackening the locking nuts and setting the steering central and adjusting like for like on the rods, then testing a ref mark with paint pen as a datum. You can end up with surprisingly straight results, having said that, you could be tracked but not aligned, but if you have a good known starting point and a reason why you can get pretty close. But generally if you are getting it done it’s for a reason beyond the drive, like you have had a subframe off etc.
Adjusting the tracking is easy.
There are different methods, the string method being the easiest to set up.
I bought a Dunlop tracking bar many years ago, but one could be made with a wooden pole, some bent metal rods and a measuring stick.
First thing to do is ask Google, then do it yourself.
Hi,
This might help you out.
John.
This might help you out.
John.
This method is the easiest I've seen, but I suggest measuring from the wheel rim, not the tyre:
It's just not worth the cost of prematurely worn out front tyres in the UK.
Its unlikely that the new part is from the same manufacturer and even if they are the thread will not start in the same place. Worst case it could be 1/2 a turn out.
There was a thread on here a month or so where someone took it to be laser aligned several time before they got it right.
I suspect the centre position of the EPS has to be taken into account.
If it was me and the tracking and tire wear were fine before the new part was fitted I would adjust it half a turn and test.
Great, but how did you check it finally?
So you didn't actually measure it.
Have it checked asap, a local garage should do it free of charge.
Agreed
Just keep an eye on the edges of the tyre
Often after laser alignment it's worse than before. Depends a lot on the competence of the operator and trueness of the wheels and so on.
The old method of a slip plate was 100% even took into account any wear of the components. Only trouble it was time consuming. Adjust, test ,adjust and so on.
Sweetsixteen
Established member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Messages
- 1,109
- Points
- 204
The video above is good, but with many cars you can't reach the tie rod adjusters without moving the car each time. It also makes no allowance for a slightly buckled wheel.
To fine tune the front tracking when you're almost there, wrap a piece of masking tape round the thread and the adjacent tie rod end both sides. Then you can mark a datum line across the tapes with a pen, and move each track rod end in very small increments, making a new mark each time. Works a treat.
To fine tune the front tracking when you're almost there, wrap a piece of masking tape round the thread and the adjacent tie rod end both sides. Then you can mark a datum line across the tapes with a pen, and move each track rod end in very small increments, making a new mark each time. Works a treat.
I remember those days, it was when only X ply tyres were available and disc brakes hadn't arrived.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Messages
- 19,492
- Points
- 3,294
You *can* set the tracking by checking tyre warmth.
Drive up the road and check tyre treads for warmth. Warm on outer side = toed in too much. Warm on inner edge = toed out.
Adjust the rods ends and repeat until tyres are arm evenly across the width.
There are issues
(1) its a hassle and you have to grovel on the floor ever 1/2 mile or so.
(2) Drive too far and tyres get warm all over
(3) Some cars have camber that tilts the wheels in or out (system wont work).
(4) Its so much easier to pay £30 have have it done professionally.
BUT it is possible for the penniless to do their own tracking with nothing more than two spanners.
Drive up the road and check tyre treads for warmth. Warm on outer side = toed in too much. Warm on inner edge = toed out.
Adjust the rods ends and repeat until tyres are arm evenly across the width.
There are issues
(1) its a hassle and you have to grovel on the floor ever 1/2 mile or so.
(2) Drive too far and tyres get warm all over
(3) Some cars have camber that tilts the wheels in or out (system wont work).
(4) Its so much easier to pay £30 have have it done professionally.
BUT it is possible for the penniless to do their own tracking with nothing more than two spanners.
I don't believe what I just read.
It isn't April 1st, so you're either serious, or delirious.
My bet's on the latter. Ö¿Ö
Not really applicable as the original poster has already fix there car.
But race teams use a inferred temperature probe to measure the temperature across the tire as soon as the car finishes a hot lap to see if it needs more or less camber
https://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=view&n=1239&p=1241744&d=124&c=4&l=2&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Pyrometers%20&%20Temperature%20Indicators&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9pPqx9_N1wIVyrftCh1cRAmHEAQYASABEgJemfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Last edited:
