Steering Alingment

[Jason]

I need to center the wheels with the steering wheel. I really can not be bothered to take it down to a wheel alignment place because i would need to hire a tow truck to get it there.

 

Is there any diy approach to line up the wheels fairly accurately?

 

Cheers J

[towe001]

The simplest way is of firstly find the centre line of each front wheel and then run a tape measure from one centre line over to the other at the front of the wheel and then do the same for the back of the wheels. Ideally the back of the wheels should be a few mill longer then the front

http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60130

http://www.allpar.com/fix/alignment.html

 

But by far the best way of doing it would be "Simple Strings" which is find the centre line of the car measuring out from that at each end and running a length of string from the front to the back on each side and then taking the measurements from the rims.

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=597192

http://www.smartracingproducts.com/alignment.htm - yours for a hole in your pocket $407.99US. I made mine from 2 lengths of alloy tube, fishing line, two heavy sunkers and two pairs of axle stands.... go figure

 

Google "Simple Strings", "SmartStrings", "wheel alignment"

 

And a bit of info

http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

 

The only thing to make sure with any of the methods is to make sure the car is on flat level ground.

[Jason]

I know how to find and adjust toe, I need to get the wheels aligned with the steering rack. Lining up the rack seems easy just keep moving it slightly until both rack ends are same distance from rack. But getting the wheels close to parallel...

 

Ie need to get them parallel at center, and have the steering rack center. Then i can adjust toe.