I am unable to find anything on how to visually allign the front wheels.

are there any pictures or how-to's on what to loosen??

basicly truck constantly pulls right..
with all wheels pointing straight and parallel with the fenders looking down,
the right front is pointing slightly outward, i need to know how i can bring it back parallel, untill i can get an actual pro allignment.
trk info in signature/ profile

thanks

 

Tires arent cheap, Id have it done ASAP.
I killed a good set by letting incorrect toe-in mangle my tires on a trip =(

 

You loosen the two bolts that are on the sleeve that connects the inner tie rod end to the outer tie rod end. Youthen turn that sleeve until you get the desired position of the wheel. Obviously, then tighten the bolts! Agree with the second post though, get it done right as soon as possible. You'll get it "close" but not right on until it's done at an alignment shop, and tires aren't cheap!

 

ok ill give it a shot, so there is no other "big bolts" or pinned nutz to loosen first.. my visual adjustment will be better tnah it is now heh

luckily my tires are nearly new but i am seiin very small bits on the outer edges of the tread, so i will be working asap, i have replacement ball joints on the way too.. that has to be done before an alignment can be done $ $ $$

 

Take a tape measure and choose oh the second groove from the outside of the tire (groove that flows around the tire)...measure from the right tire to the left tire (using the same groove on both tires). Measure at the front of the tire and then measure the back of the tire..using the same grooves. The measurement you had at the front of the tire should be shorter by a little bit than the measurement you took at the rear of the tire. If the measurement is longer at the front, this will cause our truck wanting to wonder all over the road. You want the fronts of the tires facing in words, towards each other by a little bit. If you want take it so that the front measurement is 1/8" shorter than the rear measurement.

An easy way to check your tires for correct toe is to run your hands across the tread (outside sidewall to inside sidewall). Run your hand toward the engine, then back to the outside. If the toe is within spec, it should feel smooth. However, if you feel an edge running your hand Inwards, that means your tire is toeing out. If you feel the edge while bringing your hand back to you, that means your tire is toeing in.

If setting your toe doesn't help, and you end up taking it to a professional and it still pulls. I would be checking that tire. My right hand tire has feathered horrible, and would always want to pull to the right. I checked my toe and it is ok. I switched my front tires side to side, so that bad tire is on the left side, and my truck now pulls to the left...and these tires were new not to long ago..

Hope this helps some

 

excellent advice so far... i will report back with results thanks!!!

 

i know exactly what your explaining but,
the only question i have is..
would i turn steering wheel so that both front tires are pointing out away from each other slightly and adjust both in ..?

or
should i leave it so the left tire is slightly inward as you say, and make all the adjustments to the right tire pointing visibly outward.??

sory im having a hard time describing exactly what the problem is but you guys have it nailed hehe

 

You could try to put the wheels so that they are both facing outwards. And then measure from there, But it shouldn't really matter if you take measurements. Did you check your tires for toe wear?

 

Without the slip plates the alignment guys use you will be fighting the weight of the front of the truck s you do your adjustments. To remedy this you'll have to go in small increments and back the truck up and pull forward to 'reset' the adjustment. An easy way to 4 wheel align your front tires is to get some masonry line and wrap it around the rear wheels and pull it tight to the front of the truck at the wheel centerlines. Adjust the front tires to where they just touch the stringline. This will square up the tires. To add some toe in you need to just slightly pull the front tires in a pinch more. Not rocket science but it will hold you over til alignment time. Good luck, kurt

 

From what I've learned Dodge installed a metal ring "shim" which slides over the lugs on the right front hub. My truck has one. Some may toss it but I believe it was installed to prevent pull to the right. Just my $.02 but you may want to check this as well.

 

Check this out, He not only make good stuff but gives good advice.
http://thurenfabrication.com/align.html

 

Here is how we aligned my son's Jeep.

1. Jack both front tires off the ground on a level surface. Do not put the jacks under the frame, instead lift it so the weight of the truck is on the suspension.

2. While one person rotates the tire, spray the center of the tread with gray primer. Let it dry to tacky.

3. While one person rotates the tire use a flat blade screwdriver resting on something (I used a 1 ft section of 4 X 4) scribe a line the circumfirence of the tire. A couple spins will insure that there is a straight line.

4. Measure the distance to the lines in front and behind the tires. Adjust the tie rod tube to bring the tires in or out. We used 1/8th toe in on the Jeep so that it wouldn't wander down the road.

Of course it does nothing for castor or camber, I can't help you there.

 

That is how we usually do it at work if we don't need to put the lasers on. We have a tool that you just set against the tire in front of it or behind, spin the tire and it puts a mark on the tread. Then we just measure across and adjust from there.

 

I've used 4 jack stands, string & 1/8" drill bits on other vehicles. Use jack stands on each corner. Center steering wheel. Streatch string tight front to back. Move jack stands so string contacts rear tire at 3:00 & 9:00. Then Move front stands so string is taught & contacts front tire at 3:00 & 9:00. Slide the drill bits under the string so it's held to the tire & contacts the tire at the thickest part of the side wall. Move the front jack stand out so it just contacts the back of the tire & barely holds the drill bit. You are using the drill bit as a feeler guage so the front is toed in 1/8" (or whatever spec you want). Use a different size bit if spec isn't 1/8. It helps to have a helper hold the steering wheel so it dosen't turn when you adjust toe. This works well especially on vehicles where only toe can be set. I usually pay for 1 alignment & use the string for future adjustments. It works until something wears & throws caster or camber off.

X___V_______V ____V_________V_____X
Front tire Rear Tire

X = Jack stand. Drill bit goes on front high side = V.

 

more great tips!!!
ill have my new ball joints on the 28th!!!
i found a local ASE 20 yr. master mech. who would do all 4 for $200

then i can allign them more precisley using the methods described above