front end alignment

[BurbanPena]

I just replaced my front end on my 89 v1500 has any one done a at home alignment?

what's your technique on completing this, my alignment shop is ways away and I cant get in until next week and I need my truck between now and then.

 

[Originalthor]

I take a piece tape and put it on the center of the tire and make a mark in the center of the tape. Then measure front then rotate tire to back and measure again. When rotation of tire back and forth also measure the distance up so your level. Toe in a quarter inch.

 

[BurbanPena]

ho

I take a piece tape and put it on the center of the tire and make a mark in the center of the tape. Then measure front then rotate tire to back and measure again. When rotation of tire back and forth also measure the distance up so your level. Toe in a quarter inch.

are you basically splitting the difference from front to back? or do need to end up with the same measurement front to back and then toe in a 1/4 inch

example:60 in the back 59 3/4 in the front ?

 

[Originalthor]

ho

are you basically splitting the difference from front to back? or do need to end up with the same measurement front to back and then toe in a 1/4 inch

example:60 in the back 59 3/4 in the front ?

Thats correct.

 

[bluex]

A 1/4 toe in is way too much. Ideally you want a 1/16, maybe an 1/8.

Toe is a tire wearing angle so you need it to be right if you're not going for an alignment for a while.

 

[fast 99]

Easier way is what used to be called an oil can alignment.
Use some sort of blocks set them against the tire on both sides. Then with 2 straight edges, long extensions, pieces of steel what have you, lay those on top of the blocks against the sidewall. Then with 2 tape measures lay them on the top of the straight edges. The difference front to back is toe in or out. You will need a helper to hold the other end.

 

[Grit dog]

A 1/4 toe in is way too much. Ideally you want a 1/16, maybe an 1/8.

Toe is a tire wearing angle so you need it to be right if you're not going for an alignment for a while.

I agree. In fact I’d start at dead zero and if it wanders too much then crank it in ever so slightly.

 

[Ricko1966]

I do my own all the time I'll put up pics and give some general directions in a minute.I now use longer angle the longer the more accurate,you should be able to find alignment specs on line,and conversion charts degrees to inches I always can. The pictures are for toe,which you set last,I have a caster gauge you don't,so we're going to skip that and cross our fingers. You're going to want to check camber first,park the truck somewhere level use plywood squares and or linoleum floor tiles under the tires to make the truck level. Then to be real accurate tape a piece of string and a plumb bob inside the hood opening let it dangle over the fender by the wheel hub put a sponge between the fender and the string as a shim. Measure from the string to the wheel at the top and bottom there's your camber measurement. Less accurate but easier push a level up against the wheel now pull the top or bottom of the level out eyeball the gap there's your camber.

 

[Ricko1966]

I cam get you more accurate than that,if I teach you how to build a string box, but this is really good enough. If you have to add or remove shims or twist eccentrics for camber do them equally meaning a 16th at the front of the a arm and 16th at the back also. To level your alignment area pull your truck up where you are going to align it put a brick in front of each front wheel use string level or a straight edge an level from brick to brick,that will tell you which side needs shimmed for level and how much,put your shims down throw some sand on them and bring the truck forward.And this all doesn't have to perfect just reasonable close, you never drive down perfectly level roads.The sand is to minimize turning resistance as your setting toe.

 

[Ricko1966]

Alignment degrees to inches calculator rob Robinette. Type 89 chevy suburban alignment specs they have them at gmt400. I now use 3 ft angle, it's held up by the bungees,same height front and a back of the tire same height on each side about 6 inches up you don't want the tire bulge at the bottom affecting your measurement

 

[Ricko1966]

Way better than I can teach you to build a string box.I just started reading his set up he doesn't explain that the holes in the conduit have to be the same on each stick,that's what holds the strings parallel then make sure you have the string to the middle of the hub at the same measurement on each side so if left front is 4 inches to the hub right front has to be 4 inches left rear is 3 right rear is 3 so the string is parallel to its self and to the car.
http://speed.academy/diy-wheel-alignment-how-to-guide-explained/2/

 

[idahovette]

This is how I do mine. I still have my Hunter machine I used when I had my shop downtown....old but works.....and my old balancer

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[GTX63]

Once you have toe set, you can straighten your steering wheel by turning both tie rod sleeves in equal amounts, in the same direction.

 

[GTX63]

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[Scott91370]

We need to know what 'rebuilt the front means'.
Is it just outter tie rod ends? Was it ball joints? Replace springs? Everything?
If it is only outter ends then toe should be the only thing that changed. Post #8 is perfect.
If ball joints or springs then yeah, caster & camber will have changed too.