Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
Anyone know of any info to do your own front end alignment (Dana60)? All my frt components are new, but need to correct the wander now. I've got 39.5" tires and no real access to stock type tires if that makes a difference.
CK5
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DIY front end alignemnt - links?
- Thread starter Ned Kelly
- Start date
Mainly all you can really adjust without using shims or special parts is toe-in.
1. Mark a spot on each tire with something. I like to use a piece of tape because it has a square edge.
2. Measure the distance with the marks toward the front of the truck and record the distance.
3. Spin both tire tires 180* so the mark on the back side and measure. Record this distance.
4. Adjust tie rod until the front measurement is 1/8 to 1/16 less than the rear.
5. Tighten TRE jam nuts and take it for a drive.
Visual aid from Chris
If it still wanders it may be a caster issue. How much lift? What springs? Does the front have shims? You can check castor with an angle finder. Set it on top of your knuckle or steering arm. IIRC should be around 5* positive.
1. Mark a spot on each tire with something. I like to use a piece of tape because it has a square edge.
2. Measure the distance with the marks toward the front of the truck and record the distance.
3. Spin both tire tires 180* so the mark on the back side and measure. Record this distance.
4. Adjust tie rod until the front measurement is 1/8 to 1/16 less than the rear.
5. Tighten TRE jam nuts and take it for a drive.
Visual aid from Chris
If it still wanders it may be a caster issue. How much lift? What springs? Does the front have shims? You can check castor with an angle finder. Set it on top of your knuckle or steering arm. IIRC should be around 5* positive.
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
Good stuff guys. Usually I've been successful at measuring before teardown on the front, and putting things back together close to the same. This time it didn't work. I"ll try those methods you guys gave. Thanks.
WannabeRacing
Registered Member
Take a 2x4 and put a single nail in the board with the sharp edge of the nail sticking out of the board. Jack the front end up so the tires can spin freely. Spin the tire and slowly move the board that is sitting on the floor closer to the tire until the nail leaves a very little scratch in the tire all the way around. Make sure it is a perfect circle. Hit the other tire the same and then follow the method in the post above. That way your measurements front to rear are perfect in relation to the rotation of the tires. And no matter where they rotate to, the lines are always perfect.
Other than that, good luck with it!
Other than that, good luck with it!
I guess I am really lazy I just hook the tape measure in the tread on the front and the tread on the back in the same place. Pretty simple. I adjusted a 1/8 of a inch in. My 90 chevy r/v book laying here says .060 toe in.
WannabeRacing
Registered Member
That works, but with some of the computer designed tread, they are not precise all the way around. But as long as it drives nice and does not eat tires when you are done, then you must have done something right.
Lots of ways to skin a cat. . .
Lots of ways to skin a cat. . .
