hope this doesn't sound stupid but

when adjusting toe (i.e adjusting the arms on the tie rods) on a first gen, do i need to pop the joint out then turn, or can i do without

i don't know the history on my car, but the front end is very tight. it seems to be in very good shape. no play whatsoever....but the wheels have major toe in....and i mean major. i took it on the road, and the car was just pulling back and forth, which ever way the wheel would go

i am going to try turning each of the outside tie rod ends in about half an inch to an inch, and just eyeball it for now.

 

You might be able to turn the threaded rod that connects the inner and outer tie rod ends. This is how it is usually done, but often the parts will be so stuck that turning one end is the only way that it can be adjusted...

 

sweet!!! i did it.....and it looks as close as i can make it with just my eyes

funny you say the inner part might be stuck, because it was the only part i could break loose! the outer i coulndn't budge....so yay!

things are working out awesome for me tonight!

 

You can adjust your tow in very accurately by tying a long string to your front tow hook then stretching it around to the back of the car so that the string lines up with the center of your wheels. Make sure the car is on a good flat and level surface and the steering wheel is centered straignt ahead.

Then wrap the string around the back of the car and bring it up on the other side, again centering it on the wheels, then tie it to your other front tow hook. Stretch it tight and it will make a perfect line from your rear wheels to the front wheels. The outer lip of your tires should just touch the string on both the front and back side of the wheel, if not you are out of alignment.

With the car on the ground and the tie rod adjusting nuts loosened, it is easy to reach up under there with a small pipe wrench and turn the tie rod until you get perfect alignment with the string. Then give it just a slight toe in by moving the back side of each front tire out about 1/16th of an inch.

The alignment can then be given a final check at highway speed on a straight level highway to be sure it's just right, but I find the highway and the string in agreement everytime. This method is more sensitive and accurate than using a toe in adjusting rod to measure across the front and back of the wheels because you don't have to rely on a somewhat fuzzy mark on your wheels to make the toe in measurement.

Of course is is low tech so it won't appeal to some.

Ray

 

Good writeup Ray! I tried something similar with mixed results. I tied the string to a jackstand and put it behind the rear wheel and stretched it to the front to check the toe...one side at a time. I'm going to try your method this weekend.

Rich

 

Let us know if it works for you Rich, I learned it on my 78 MGB (not as cool as yours, but it was a nice race orange (vermillion) with black stripes and wire wheels; New Orleans rust got it).

Ray