DIY Alignment

[ericsmith32]

I was surprised to see alot of tread wear in less than 4k on my brand new tires. I knew had alot of negative camber so that was the first fix. Rotating the strut mounts pretty much took care of that. Still has a small amount of positive camber but I think that is good and probably evens out with a driver. Will verify that next week if I have time. It's a pain adjusting the camber. Used a level and tape measure based on the readings from the rear tire.

Adjusting camber of course threw off toe. For the toe I pulled out a long bungee cord. Hooked it to the tow hooks and centered it over the center of wheel. A string and couple a jackstands would do the same might even be better. I'll compare the two next week.



Rear tires - both the same with a little bit of toe in. I guess this is normal?




Driver's Front


Passenger Front


This are after pictures I did a bit of fine tuning this morning. Before the passenger tire was way off the drivers not so bad. What I did was adjust the tie rod a couple turns then with the bungee cord off back up and down the driveway and recheck. Drives straight with a small amount of pull to the right, part of the reason for adjusting this morning. Steering wheel is straight always make sure of this before any adjusting! I know many know of this method figured might help some newbies.

I paid $60 for a alignment of the Escape the other day. While they did a good job they left the steering wheel a bit off. I'm a bit OCD need I say more.

[JPT]

I like the bungee cord idea. I use string, this looks easier.

[rotinaj13]

I do this all of the time but I use a much different method. I set the camber using a flat chunk of bar square tube I cut to set on the both edges of the wheel and a magnetic based analog angle finder from harbor freight. I then set the toe using an adjustable paint roller handle from lowes (I trimmed it for the small wheel base) I attached a nylon tape to it so I can obtain a measurement. I extend it out to the inside of each wheel on the flat lip and take a measurement from the front and back of the wheel. I take the measurement and and subtract the two, then divide by two to get what the needed change is to get a static zero reading, then adjust a tiny bit of two out due to its a front wheel drive and the drive wheels pull in under acceleration. BTW for the camber on my car I had to change the bolt size and machine a wedge to get a zero measurement, but on my festy I have bigger front springs (heavier weight), aspire front end and did not cut my springs.

[ejp2fast]

nice "toes" ...

[ericsmith32]

then adjust a tiny bit of two out due to its a front wheel drive and the drive wheels pull in under acceleration. BTW for the camber on my car I had to change the bolt size and machine a wedge to get a zero measurement, but on my festy I have bigger front springs (heavier weight), aspire front end and did not cut my springs.

I need to do this on mine a bit squirrelly on take off. I had it perfect with the first adjustment. I'm guessing the front tire needs to be the opposite of the rear tires which toe in? Based on 3 festiva's the toe in on the rear tires are normal. For the camber I also got a analog gauge from Harbor freight. Not sure if get smaller bolts or just the camber bolts, probably the same price. Funny the semi-level driveway at home the camber looks perfect but a work it looks way positive.

[ericsmith32]

nice "toes" ...

And to think I didn't shave them that morning....

[ideas]

I was surprised to see alot of tread wear in less than 4k on my brand new tires. I knew had alot of negative camber so that was the first fix. Rotating the strut mounts pretty much took care of that. Still has a small amount of positive camber but I think that is good and probably evens out with a driver. Will verify that next week if I have time. It's a pain adjusting the camber. Used a level and tape measure based on the readings from the rear tire.

Adjusting camber of course threw off toe. For the toe I pulled out a long bungee cord. Hooked it to the tow hooks and centered it over the center of wheel. A string and couple a jackstands would do the same might even be better. I'll compare the two next week.



Rear tires - both the same with a little bit of toe in. I guess this is normal?




Driver's Front


Passenger Front


This are after pictures I did a bit of fine tuning this morning. Before the passenger tire was way off the drivers not so bad. What I did was adjust the tie rod a couple turns then with the bungee cord off back up and down the driveway and recheck. Drives straight with a small amount of pull to the right, part of the reason for adjusting this morning. Steering wheel is straight always make sure of this before any adjusting! I know many know of this method figured might help some newbies.

I paid $60 for a alignment of the Escape the other day. While they did a good job they left the steering wheel a bit off. I'm a bit OCD need I say more.

is it possible to show pics of how to do this wheel alignment?

[GenevaDirt]

the pics are posted in your quoted reference.
If you are asking about what to do under the car then all you have to do is back off the lock nut on the tie rod and then turn the shaft that runs into the tie rod in or out until your wheel is adjusted properly. Then re-tighten the lock nut.

[Ephet]

that look like a pretty good idea but i always done it visually and it comes out fine. i guess i got a good eye lol

[batstiva]

that look like a pretty good idea but i always done it visually and it comes out fine. i guess i got a good eye lol

You and me both. Before heading to FM3, I swapped out most of the front suspension parts on my 89. Eyeballed everything for alignment purposes. Took the car to a shop for two tires, and while there I had them check the alignment, and it was dead on.

I'll have to give the bungee cord thing a whirl tho, just because.

[MTec007]

i think im going to tackle this project, after ruining two brand new front tires due to mis alignment, i have to throw tie rod ends on any way. good luck to me. (car isnt here right now to look, and i might miss it any way) what is it that adjusts the rear toe if needed? i know the front is the tie rod.

[eurotiva]

Shims adjust the rear. And If I remember correct the "shim kits" are $200ish

[MTec007]

Shims adjust the rear. And If I remember correct the "shim kits" are $200ish

om*g. if its shims she wants, its shims she'll get.. but not from a kit for sure

[CharlieZ]

Anyone have the factory alignment specs?

[brickdog2000]

So I know that part of the alignment is doen by adjusting the tie rods. Is there anything else that needs to be adjusted to prevent my tires from wearing on the inside tread? I want to attempt this just to save the money and she needs it badly.