Re: Alignment question

[David Bongo <dbongo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"T.R.E. Jr." wrote:

> ---Just for the sake of asking, is your steering wheel installed correctly?
> There is a mark on the shaft and a mark on the steering wheel that should be
> aligned. After that, you go where you have gone already. Once you get the
> toe correct, the steering wheel should* be correct also. A lot of places
> these days, don't even look at the steering wheel. My cousin had a $700.oo
> alignment done on her Skylark and when she brought it home the steering
> wheel was 1/4 turn off center!
>

It was straight before the tie rod fell off.  Which is why I really, really
think the new left tie rod end is the problem.

>
> ---If your suspension is lifted, the toe and camber will be off due to the
> caster being changed and not corrected... if* caster was not corrected and
> if* you have a lift kit installed. Just thought I would add that for the
> heck of it.
>
> ---I agree, take it to a Ma and Pop shop. Local run-of-the-mill shop with a
> 60+ year old man running the joint, but regardless of whether it is a Scout,
> Ford, Chitvy, Dodge, a tie rod is a tie rod and if they don't know how to
> align a simple vehicle, let them continue to work on strutted vehicles and
> you pack your stuff and head back to the "little man".
>

None of those around here.  This town was built in the 70's (literally -- it was
a huge lumber plantation before that) and many local businesses in the
surrounding communities have been slowly wiped out by the new businesses opening
in town here.

>
> ---You might have to pay fines and fees for the Scout's time served in the
> Mineke Prison, but you will both be happier for the early release.
>

I'm trying to do much of the work myself, but steering is too important for a
"bozo" like myself to be trusted.  My tie rod fell out once already, I don't
want to go for the duece.  I'll just double-check whoever works on it from now
on.  That should prevent future mishaps, I hope...

>
> ---Thank you,
> -T.R.E.Jr.
> -`73 Scout II (StoneThrower)
> -`51 Farmall H (Heinz)
> -`49 IH fridge (presently unnamed and in need of a compressor)
> -`49 Plymouth Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan (Papapalooza)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Bongo" <dbongo@domain.elided>
> To: "IHC Digest" <ihc-digest@domain.elided>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 7:51 PM
> Subject: Alignment question
>
> > I'm back with another alignment question.
> >
> > I found out why the tire place had problems aligning the Scout.  Using
> > their hi-tech equipment, they found that both tires are too far to the
> > left.  (I'd say "towed too far to the left", but I don't know how you
> > would spell "towed" with "toe" as the root word.)
> >
> > Anyways, the left tie rod end was just replaced.  I suggested that the
> > left tie rod end wasn't installed deep enough into the tie rod and that
> > it be disconnected, turned into the tie rod a turn or 2 (to shorten the
> > tie rod on the left side only) and that should solve the problem.
> > (Adjusting the tie rod now will continue to move one side or the other
> > to the left.  So we can't get a good alignment.)  The guy I talked to
> > was unsure.  Anyways, I've got to take it back tomorrow when the other
> > mechanic is working.  Do you guys think I'm on the right track here?
> > And I apologize for any lack of clarity in the way I said this.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Dave