Toe-In Specifications Question

[GWL]

Where do you measure toe-in?

At the wheel rim or at the tire? I see alignment plates would be measuring it at about the outside diameter of the tire front and back.

I'm setting my toe-in alignment using strings. I've made some jigs that make setting up the strings easy, fast,
consistent and repeatable parallel to the chassis, but what to measure to from the string for toe-in is the question.

Thanks, George

[GoDadGo]

George,

I've done it with a couple of sheetrock squares, some blocks, a tape measure, one heck of handy wife, but there are better purpose-built tools to do it far more properly.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Longacre-Deluxe-Front-End-Alignment-Kit,372864.html

Hope this link helps.

Steve

[ptstew]

I used a string method to roughly set mine, too. I measured from the string to the same point on the front and rear tread of the tire with tires pointed straight ahead and the string bisecting the tire.

[ggunter]

Jack up your car and take a white spray paint can and spin the tire and put a band of paint around the middle of the tread. Don't worry it come right off when you drive. Do both sides Take a block of wood and run a nail through it to make a scribe. Spin the tire and scribe a line that goes all the way round the tire through the paint. Set the car on the ground and measure the front of the scribed line and the rear side of the scribed line as close to the center line of the spindle as possible. Adjust your tie rods so the front side is about 1/16 less then the rear or toed in 1/16"

[Jeff Kleiner]

I use toe plates and measure based on the OD of the tire. Think about it; if you measure based on the OD of the rim you would have a significant difference at the OD of the tire for a 25 inch diameter tire VS a 40 inch diameter one (to use an extreme example).

Jeff

[Bob Cowan]

Where do you measure toe-in?

At the wheel rim or at the tire? I see alignment plates would be measuring it at about the outside diameter of the tire front and back.

Thanks, George

At the tread. Or at least at the outside diameter of the tire.

[GWL]

I use toe plates and measure based on the OD of the tire. Think about it; if you measure based on the OD of the rim you would have a significant difference at the OD of the tire for a 25 inch diameter tire VS a 40 inch diameter one (to use an extreme example).

Jeff

Got it, and that is what I'll do, measure toe-in at the diameter of the tire.

I'm finding out that setting it all up is very critical. Just a small movement or misplacement in the line equals the total toe-in of 1/16". The line itself is 1/16" diameter.

I've done this once, measuring to the rim but will do it again with a straight edge clamped to the tire measuring front and back of tire diameter to the string. I know I will find I have too much toe-in set in it now and will have to lessen it a bit. I also made a set of toe plates that mount to the wheel that I'll check it with too.

Thanks guys, George