Toe In Measure Tool

[David W.]

For what it's worth, I've built a quickie toe in tool. Very low tech, but it worked for me. I adjusted two cars, and noticible improvement on each. One was about 15mm toe in, the other about 10mm out. They are now at about 2-3mm toe in.
Step 1, build the jig. Just touching the rim fore and aft. On my jig I've added the blocks to measure 13 and 14 inch wheels on two cars.
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
Step 2, Put a line and equal distance from the points. The actual distance is arbitrary, and the distance can be different on the two jigs. It must, however be the same fore and aft on the same jig.[frame][/frame]

[David W.]

For some reason, I can't get any more pictures uploaded. They can be seen here:
http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/HClew ... ure%20Tool
Continuing my directions,
Step 2, Put a line and equal distance from the points. The actual distance is arbitrary, and the distance can be different on the two jigs. It must, however be the same fore and aft on the same jig.
Step 3, Cut a notch to hold the "dummy end" of the tape.
Step 4, set up the jigs on both front wheels. I used a weight to keep them from slipping out of position.
Measure the distances fore and aft. You are not looking for a particular number, you are only interested in the difference between the two numbers.

[bmcecosse]

Looks terribly complicated - and open to error.... My jig is simply a length of dexion with two short dexion arms bolted on at right angles. It gives the same answer 3 times out of 3 - so I feel it is accurate. The toe measurements you mention are HUGE! I used mine to correct my daughter's Clio which had been scrubbing the tyres slightly. I only had to move the toe by 1mm and now the tyres are fine.
A very simple quick check is to lay down layers of newspaper on a smooth surface - and roll the tyre over the paper. If it 'squirms' you will see what's wrong.

[MarkyB]

I think you need to make the pictures public or something.
I've got a Googlemail account but it wants to sign me up for Google + which I don't really want to do.

[David W.]

Here is another attempt.

http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/HClew ... ure%20Tool

[bmcecosse]

I see what you are doing David - but surely the accuracy of the drawn lines relative to the 'points' will be v important? If you swap the stands over side to side (and therefore turning them round...) - do you get the exact same reading?

[David W.]

Good question, I'll try that tomorrow. I'm convinced by the improvement in the steering that the engineering is good enough.
There is an old saying:
"Too many things are measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe."

[MarkyB]

That link works fine, thanks.

[David W.]

My wood "proof of concept" model was pretty good, but hard to get repeatable results.
I made up a more substantial tool from steel and aluminum. All is well: front-back, left-right, all repeatable.
I'm better at steel and aluminum than I am with electronics. I can't get pictures to post. Here is the previous link to my online album with new pictures added.
You'll see pix of the jig lying down. That is to make sure that the arms that touch the rim both touch the floor at the same time.
The pix with the tape are staged on the bench to show how I worked the tape.
I did have to reposition the car slightly. My concrete floor is not absolutely flat, and the jig rocked a bit on a high spot.
http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/HClew ... ure%20Tool

[bmcecosse]

As long as it gives same result when fitted either way round - it MUST be right!