Self-Alignment at Home

[4runnertank]

Ok guys so I broke a tie rod end and had to replace it. Problem was that I just had an alignment, and I'm not in the mood to spend the money when the only thing that needs to be adjusted is the toe.

Here are the correct numbers. But where do I measure from? Which number correlates to what? Pictures would help too.

 

[fourwd1]

If you have a solid front axle, all you can adjust is the toe, and that's easy.
Caster/camber isn't adjustable.
I used to know the tie rod length measurement for correct toe off the top of my head. The FSM has the info you need.
If you're IFS there's more than just toe.

 

[4runnertank]

Mine is IFS. And yes I now there's more than toe, but that is the only thing that needs adjusted right now.

 

[fourwd1]

That spec says 11/64 of an inch. With those big tires and all that lift you might want more than that to help it track better on the road (if you drive it onroad)
Telling you how to do it is a little much to do now from my phone.

 

[Iroke17]

easy way need 2 people take two tape measures and measure both in front and behind wheel at same point on tires and make it so there is about 1/4 inch skinnier on front tires.

 

[dirty dangler]

next time you guys get a alignment from a shop just pull out a paint pen and make a few marks on the cams. If something ever happens on the trail or at home its a quick fix

 

[fourwd1]

There’s a lot of DIY ways of measuring toe. One more accurate way is to take 2 straight pieces of metal (or wood) about 36” long. Make a mark at the center point of each, and another mark at 3” from the end of each. Clamp the piece to the rotor so the center mark is at the center line of the wheel (see pic). Than make a measurement across the front at the 3” marks and then at the back marks.
If the front measurement is larger than the back you have toe-out.
If the front measurement is less than the rear you have toe-in, which is what you want.
Subtract one from the other and you have the actual value. The spec in your print out says 11/64” +/- 3/64”.
If you drive on the road forget that. You will track much better with more toe-in, like 1/4 to 3/8”.

The next part is adjusting. Loosen the clamps at the tie rod ends (2 each side). Then you want to rotate each TR a little until you get the amount of toe in you want.
The important thing is to make the length of the left and right sides EQUAL. The length of each side (from TRE center to TRE center) needs to be the same.
Then tighten the clamps.

 

[fourwd1]

Also, you want to start with the wheels pointed straight ahead and steering wheel centered.

And when adjusting TRs, it's good to get the number of threads showing the same on each end of the TR

 

[4runnertank]

Thanks so much fourwd1. Took care of it yesterday and it's back to normal. This thread will also be helpful for internet searchers as well i'm sure!