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Old 03-20-2026, 10:35 PM   #19
ford38v8
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Default Re: Early Ford front axle toe in

So many methods... So complicated while not adding to the accuracy of the operation...
Then there is the KISS method:
Ensure that all tires are properly inflated.
Drive forward and back on a flat surface to ensure the direction of travel is straight forward. Set the parking brake (or chock the rear wheels) and raise the front end till both tires are free to spin by hand.
Spin both front tires while holding chalk against the center of the tread.
Spin them again, while holding a pencil against the wider pencil marks.
(While tire treads may wander, and wheels may be bent, this pencil mark is true at all points on the diameter of the tire.)
Set the front end down again, front tires setting on newspaper to reduce friction.
Lightly bounce the front bumper to set the tires without stress on the newspapers.
Observe the steering wheel position, adjust as required to indicate straight forward travel.
Construct a simple, light-weight horizontal bar to lay flat on the concrete, having sturdy uprights at each end, simultaneously reaching midpoint on each tire's height. Note that you'll have little room to work under the car at the rear of the front tires, so construct the measurement tool with that in mind.
One upright to have a pointer, the other to have a 6" rule attached horizontally.
While the pointer is on one pencil mark, note the position of the other pencil mark in relation to the 6" rule.
Take that measurement on both front and rear of the tires, your goal now to be to adjust the tie rod as required to make the front measurement ⅛" shorter than the rear. Each adjustment of the tie rod should have a stress relief bounce on the bumper.
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Last edited by ford38v8; 03-20-2026 at 11:12 PM.
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