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New Tires...

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I've currently got mine set at about 3/16" toe in, but I have semi-terminal understeer (with a number of potential sources for this). I'm considering trying 0 toe to see what happens. Obviously, I don't want it too unstable, but this might help with the corner entry to mid corner understeer.
 
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I started with about 1/8" of toe-in to be sure. Then, after replacing my tie rod ends, I brought them out to 1/16".

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Yea 1/16"+ sounds pretty good to me. Definitely a lot of personal preference there though.
 
When you say 1/16 or 1/8, is that the difference in the two measurements taken on the tires?

1st measurement, roll the car forward 1/2 wheel revolution, take 2nd measurement. Then the difference between those two measurements = toe-in/toe-out. Should the first measurement be larger or the second one?

Joel

PS - sorry for all the idiot questions but I've never done this before.
 
You don't roll car, take first at front second at rear, should be 1/16" difference. Make it so.

Car should be jacked up to do this easly, just enough to turn the wheels.

Draw a pic of the car and wheels from the top and see how it works.
 
I measure with the car on the ground. The geometry changes as the suspension travels. But after you make an adjustment you will need to roll the car forward and back to be sure there is no "binding" in the steering rack. Then measure again. Adjust and repeat. If you are starting from scratch be sure and center your steering rack and make adjustments on each side to keep things centered. It is easier than it sounds once you get started.
 
1 - measure with the car sitting at rest (weight on the suspension).

2 - you want the number in the front to be less than the rear by the specified amount, not the other way around /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Okay: 1/16" difference, roll car back and forth after measuring to release any binding, check and repeat.

How do I center the steering rack? Just center the steering wheel with the front wheels pointed straight ahead as best they can, then do the alignment?

(I must really sound like a bonehead here)

Joel
 
center rack by haveing the same turns on steering wheel to lock on each side.
 
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Okay: 1/16" difference, roll car back and forth after measuring to release any binding, check and repeat.

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Yup.

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How do I center the steering rack? Just center the steering wheel with the front wheels pointed straight ahead as best they can, then do the alignment?

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Turn the wheel to full lock in one direction then count the turns to the other lock, take it back half of that. Nevermind the steering wheel alignment at this point. This finds the rack center. Do the alignment at this position, remove and center the steering wheel after you're done.


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(I must really sound like a bonehead here)

Joel

[/ QUOTE ] HARDLY!!! Unless you've gone thru this before how would you know WHAT to do?
 
Good Doctor - sound like a simple enough job. I'll let you guys know how everything turns out.

Mahalos,
Joel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Well, got it all aligned properly...I think. Took it for a spin and everything was perfect. Can feel those new tires make a big difference. Took it out on Hwy 101 and got it back up to around 4000rpm's in 4th and...no shimmy anymore, no more vibration coming through the steering wheel. Runs nice and smooth. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

The alignment was a lot easier than I thought. Didn't have to hardly change a thing at all.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone.

Joel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif
 
Excellent, good work. Hate to give away all these tricks but then folks can pass them on.
 
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