Recommendations on front end alignment to fix toe

[BenT4321]

Hello, I recently purchased a 86 K20 and the toe is off by a lot. I’m seeing if anyone has any recommendations or advice for easy adjustment to help fix the situation. I’d assume you need to loosen up the end links and the center link? I’ll throw some pics in too on the components I’m talking about. Any advice helps, thank you!

 

[Radiohead]

I can't remember, or tell from the pictures, but if memory serves correctly the tie rod ends are threaded to set the toe and the one from the steering gear to the linkage would aid in centering the steering wheel.

Like I said, if my mind isn't completely gone.

 

[75gmck25]

I agree with RadioHead's process.

Assuming someone didn't do something dumb with the steering wheel and/or steering shaft, its usually best to start out by locking the steering wheel so it is centered and the wheels are pointing straight ahead (as much as possible). If they are not pointing straight ahead, then adjust the inner tie rod (also known as the drag link) until they are pointing straight ahead. Then use the outer tie rods to set the toe in. I think that in an '86 you have a center steering rod connected to the box, and an outer tie rod threaded on each end.

Another check that you might want to make is to verify the steering wheel and shaft are properly centered. Put the front up on jackstands under the front axle, or park the truck on a slippery surface where you can easily turn the wheels all the way left to right. Starting out with the steering wheel centered (as above), turn the steering wheel full left and full right, and count the number of turns it takes to get to from centered to full lock. If it is not the same, someone may have moved the steering wheel on its splines, or moved either end of the steering shaft and ended up with it not centered.

 

[BenT4321]

Thank you. That makes sense!

 

[75gmck25]

One alternative for aligning the steering wheel on a with the tires on a 4WD squarebody is to drive the truck slowly straight ahead, and have someone verify the tires are aligned with the body, pointing straight from front to back. Then look at the steering wheel to verify it’s pointing straight ahead. If it’s not, then adjust the drag link to center the steering wheel.

Do not be tempted to pull the steering wheel and move it over a couple notches on the splines so that it looks better. That will fix the visual alignment, but now your steering box center point is no longer aligned with the wheel center.

 

[idahovette]

One alternative for aligning the steering wheel on a with the tires on a 4WD squarebody is to drive the truck slowly straight ahead, and have someone verify the tires are aligned with the body, pointing straight from front to back. Then look at the steering wheel to verify it’s pointing straight ahead. If it’s not, then adjust the drag link to center the steering wheel.

Do not be tempted to pull the steering wheel and move it over a couple notches on the splines so that it looks better. That will fix the visual alignment, but now your steering box center point is no longer aligned with the wheel center.

IF it was right to start with

 

[NLD79K10]

If it's not right, then the journey begins with centering the steering wheel on the center of travel of the steering box and then doing the rest of the alignment. Love the fact that for my K10 toe-in is zero.