quote:
Originally posted by Nebraskan:
.....I had the front jacked up and checked.....if I did my measuring correctly.
Vern
The vehicle has to be in the condition you use it to get the proper alignment. You want to measure it just like it goes down the road. That means on the ground and some folks even add sandbags in the seats to simulate the weight of passengers.
Since you seem to be both energetic and resourceful, try this:
Take a 2X4 and some plywood.
Measure the distance from the floor to the center of the front wheel. Call this distance "X".
Cut the plywood into 2 rectangles - each about 6" by "X".
Nail one of the rectangles on the "4" part of the 2X4 at the end with the "X" at right angles to the 2X4.
Mark the center of the top of plywood with a thin but visible line. (Painting the top of the plywood white and using a thin magic marker works well.
Position the device such that the line on the plywood is at the center of the one of the tires and the plywood is vertical with the 2X4 stretching under the car.
Go to the other side of the car and figure out where the other plywood recatngle needs to be so it's centered on the tire like the other side. No need for accuracy here - close enough is close enough.
Nail the plywood in that position.
Mark off a series of small lines at the top of the unmarked plywood (the one you just attached) about 1/16" apart. A small scale works even better.
What you should now have is a "U" shaped device.
Measure the front of the tires, then measure the rear and just like you did before, the difference is the total toe.
This device is called a Trammel bar. This has been used many times and can be highly accurate for measuring toe if used correctly.
You may find that you have to trim the plywood in order to get it in and out from under the car, but under no circumstances should you move the car or jack it up - move the bar. Try laying the bar flat on the ground with the 2X4 further away from the tire. Raise the bar into position, moving the 2X4 closer as you go.
Hope this helps.