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Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:42 am

What is the best way to set the initial alignment after you replace your tie rods? I bought a car where the tie rods were replaced and I'm trying to set the initial alignment. I'm having a difficult time getting the front tires squared because when I turn one direction the steering wheel turns more rotations than the other direction or one wheel is turned while the other wheel sits straight. I adjust one side of the adjusters and it screws up the other side. Thanks

Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:20 am

Park with steering wheel and wheels as straight as possible. Loosen the four adjuster lock nuts or whatever yours has, one on each side of each tie rod. Get a tape measure, and a helper, tires on the ground, measure distance from outer tread groove to the corresponding other side, at the mid-way height at both the front and the rear of the front tires. Turn the TIE ROD to change the toe for each side. The distance at the front measurement should be 0 to 1/8 inch less than the measurement at the rear mid-height. Once the toe is OK, if the steering wheel isn't straight, then you rotate each tie rod the same amount to adjust that, then re-measure the toe. Once OK, tighten the locking nuts.

I just did this on my 1998 Frontier after free Brakes Plus alignment showed a little tow out.

There are YouTubes that show this, and some videos there using string.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:26 am

You need to find the center of steering travel first. Count how many rotations the steering wheel makes, divide by two and put the wheel there. It may not be straight, you will have to remove and reposition the steering wheel.

THEN, start adjusting the tie rods on both sides to straighten the wheels.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:57 am

Awesome info, thanks.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:10 am

Yes, you need to center the steering box first then adjust the tie rods to be straight (or really approx. 1/8" toe in) when the steering box is centered.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:12 am

jimdubs wrote: You need to find the center of steering travel first. Count how many rotations the steering wheel makes, divide by two and put the wheel there. It may not be straight, you will have to remove and reposition the steering wheel.

THEN, start adjusting the tie rods on both sides to straighten the wheels.

note the center of steering rotation finding can be erroneous when the tie rods are hooked up, as if the tie rods are wrongly adjusted, the steering wheel may stop rotation do to limitations in road wheel travel. ideally you find the steering gear center with tierods disconnected, or at least make sure your stops are not from the road wheels limiting travel.

some steering gear boxes have a mark on them to indicate center position for this reason.

good luck, Bug On!

Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:16 am

bluebus86 wrote: jimdubs wrote: You need to find the center of steering travel first. Count how many rotations the steering wheel makes, divide by two and put the wheel there. It may not be straight, you will have to remove and reposition the steering wheel.

THEN, start adjusting the tie rods on both sides to straighten the wheels.

note the center of steering rotation finding can be erroneous when the tie rods are hooked up, as if the tie rods are wrongly adjusted, the steering wheel may stop rotation do to limitations in road wheel travel. ideally you find the steering gear center with tierods disconnected, or at least make sure your stops are not from the road wheels limiting travel.

some steering gear boxes have a mark on them to indicate center position for this reason.

good luck, Bug On!

Yes I was thinking about that, so I'll disconnect at the box and center that first.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:52 am

keary_lewis0303 wrote: bluebus86 wrote: jimdubs wrote: You need to find the center of steering travel first. Count how many rotations the steering wheel makes, divide by two and put the wheel there. It may not be straight, you will have to remove and reposition the steering wheel.

THEN, start adjusting the tie rods on both sides to straighten the wheels.

note the center of steering rotation finding can be erroneous when the tie rods are hooked up, as if the tie rods are wrongly adjusted, the steering wheel may stop rotation do to limitations in road wheel travel. ideally you find the steering gear center with tierods disconnected, or at least make sure your stops are not from the road wheels limiting travel.

some steering gear boxes have a mark on them to indicate center position for this reason.

good luck, Bug On!

Yes I was thinking about that, so I'll disconnect at the box and center that first.

Good info here maybe of help...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=306690&highlight=steering+gear+center+mark

Bug On, Steering accurately thru life's journey!

Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:17 am

bluebus86 wrote:
Good info here maybe of help...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=306690&highlight=steering+gear+center+mark

Bug On, Steering accurately thru life's journey!

Here is a picture of the ring, if yours has one:

If you don't have a ring or mark, I'd at least make a thin paint mark once you set center.

Once the BOX is centered, only then reposition the steering wheel to be straight ahead on its shaft. NEVER change this position again.

If your steering wheel is still off center as you drive, do NOT move it on the shaft, ONLY adjust using the tie rods.

This will make your car tack best, even out the full lock positions, and not wear out the box. Give it a good lube after all this is done. You'll be happy how it now drives!

Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:42 am

I have the steering wheel centered and the wheels almost even front to back measurements. My issue is how do I know if both wheels individually are pointing straight? I feel like one may be slightly toed in or out out. When I adjust to make the front to back measurements how do I know which side tire to push out or in?Or confirm both are tracking straight? Thanks

Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:55 am

Measure the distance of each side to the center of the beam. I’m sure I’m doing it wrong but I have marked the center of my beam and used a straight edge to mark back on the pan the center of the pan. I use both reference points measure, adjust, measure adjust until everything lines up.

By “centering the steering wheel”, do you actually find the center of the steering wheel movement? Turn the wheel left and then right and make sure that when “centered” you have the same amount of revolutions to both sides.

Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:44 am

Sharp64 wrote: Measure the distance of each side to the center of the beam. I’m sure I’m doing it wrong but I have marked the center of my beam and used a straight edge to mark back on the pan the center of the pan. I use both reference points measure, adjust, measure adjust until everything lines up.

By “centering the steering wheel”, do you actually find the center of the steering wheel movement? Turn the wheel left and then right and make sure that when “centered” you have the same amount of revolutions to both sides.

Yes I have the same amount of turns on the steering wheel so the steering wheel is correct. Regarding the tires I thought about that but thought there was a different way but I guess not LOL.

Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:51 pm

Thanks all I think I'm all lined up. The advice was great!

Thu Apr 12, 2018 9:07 pm

Once you get rhe steering centered you need to lock the steering wheel to keep it from turning when you adjust the tie rods. I had a tool for rhis when i did them on a rack but you can use some rope around the wherl and pinched in the door jamb like tow truck drivers did vack in the day.

brad