I have replaced the track rod ends. Easy I thought I'll count how many turns to take it off, and just to the reverse to replace the new.
Trouble is the new parts are differnet length to the old. When the car back on the floor. The wheels just dont look right against each other.
Is there a simple setup just to get the toe in correct just till after the MOT then i'll get it set up correctly. I dont want to drive it if its badly out.
Many Thanks
Track rod ends. Toe in adjust
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Alec
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Hello Zippy,
I can't vouch for this as I've never tried it but there is a device on the market for setting tracking that uses the same principal.
Firstly centre the steering by counting turns of the steering wheel and dividing by two, set the steering to mid point. You may find that the steering wheel spokes are not sitting level so you may like to correct that first to use as a reference when doing the adjustment.
Now put an open magazine on the floor in front of each front wheel, then drive slowly over them. Note how much the magazines have moved and adjust each track rod until you can repeat the exercise without there being any rotation of the magazines. If your wheels are that far out, set them by eye first.
Good luck
Alec
I can't vouch for this as I've never tried it but there is a device on the market for setting tracking that uses the same principal.
Firstly centre the steering by counting turns of the steering wheel and dividing by two, set the steering to mid point. You may find that the steering wheel spokes are not sitting level so you may like to correct that first to use as a reference when doing the adjustment.
Now put an open magazine on the floor in front of each front wheel, then drive slowly over them. Note how much the magazines have moved and adjust each track rod until you can repeat the exercise without there being any rotation of the magazines. If your wheels are that far out, set them by eye first.
Good luck
Alec
Yes - I have seen the 'newspaper' or magazine method used many many years ago- it's rough and ready but a good guide. However - it's dead easy to make your own gauge - I used 3 lengths of dexion angle but possibly wood could be used. Effectively a U shape - with a very long centre section. Set it on the ground in front of the wheels with the arms up at an angle touching the side wall of one tyre at the hub centre height - nip over to the other side and measure the gap to the sidewall of the other tyre. Then put the gauge behind the wheels (under the car) - and repeat. For toe-ou this second measure should be 1/8" less than the front measurement. If not - adjust and repeat till it's right. It works. I can get the same result each time if I do the measurement 3 times. It's important that the two track rod ends are screwed on the track rods by exactly the same amount - so you should count the turns at each side and equalise them before you start. (you can also do a quick comparison measure with a tape
measure - or even by holding a straight bit of wood against each wheel pointing forward to see if they are more or less parallel or pointing wildly away!) Set the steering dead ahead too - if the steering wheel is not central you must pull the wheel off the splines and re-set it. Could be the whole steering column is not central on the rack pinion of course - but thats slightly more difficult.
measure - or even by holding a straight bit of wood against each wheel pointing forward to see if they are more or less parallel or pointing wildly away!) Set the steering dead ahead too - if the steering wheel is not central you must pull the wheel off the splines and re-set it. Could be the whole steering column is not central on the rack pinion of course - but thats slightly more difficult.
