I changed my outer tie rod today. Took it for a test ride and the tires squeal like made. I must have thrown the alignment way out of whack. Can I drive it to a shop like that?
Should I look for other issues. Tires are pointed out.
I must admit that this is my first time doing this type of work.
Changed outer tie rod and I think I messed up. Help
Moderator: FORDification
-
Brian1967
- New Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:25 pm
-
Mach428
- Blue Oval Fan
- Posts: 721
- Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:00 am
Re: Changed outer tie rod and I think I messed up. Help
Take a measurement at the front portion of the tire and rear portion for comparison. Adjust the tire rod ends until the measurement is close. This will get you to the shop.
-
motzingg
- Blue Oval Fan
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:11 pm
- Location: Milwaukee WI
Re: Changed outer tie rod and I think I messed up. Help
there are a couple good websites and youtube videos if you search do-it-yourself alignment
you can certainly set the toe-in by yourself really easy, no sense in taking it in and paying someone if that is the only thing wrong with it. I was intimidated the first time i did it, thinking you needed lazer tools and all that crazy crap, but you can do a good job with a couple pieces of straight wood/metal, a tape measure and some string.
you can also look for markings on your old tie rod to indicate how far it was threaded in, measure from the edge of the road grime/corrosion to the ball joint, and replicate that with the new one. that will get ya to where it was before you started, but it wont mean its right.
you can certainly set the toe-in by yourself really easy, no sense in taking it in and paying someone if that is the only thing wrong with it. I was intimidated the first time i did it, thinking you needed lazer tools and all that crazy crap, but you can do a good job with a couple pieces of straight wood/metal, a tape measure and some string.
you can also look for markings on your old tie rod to indicate how far it was threaded in, measure from the edge of the road grime/corrosion to the ball joint, and replicate that with the new one. that will get ya to where it was before you started, but it wont mean its right.
-
motzingg
- Blue Oval Fan
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:11 pm
- Location: Milwaukee WI
Re: Changed outer tie rod and I think I messed up. Help
there are a couple good websites and youtube videos if you search do-it-yourself alignment
you can certainly set the toe-in by yourself really easy, no sense in taking it in and paying someone if that is the only thing wrong with it. I was intimidated the first time i did it, thinking you needed lazer tools and all that crazy crap, but you can do a good job with a couple pieces of straight wood/metal, a tape measure and some string.
you can also look for markings on your old tie rod to indicate how far it was threaded in, measure from the edge of the road grime/corrosion to the ball joint, and replicate that with the new one. that will get ya to where it was before you started, but it wont mean its right.
you can certainly set the toe-in by yourself really easy, no sense in taking it in and paying someone if that is the only thing wrong with it. I was intimidated the first time i did it, thinking you needed lazer tools and all that crazy crap, but you can do a good job with a couple pieces of straight wood/metal, a tape measure and some string.
you can also look for markings on your old tie rod to indicate how far it was threaded in, measure from the edge of the road grime/corrosion to the ball joint, and replicate that with the new one. that will get ya to where it was before you started, but it wont mean its right.