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Old 09-22-2021, 09:05 AM   #1
Bob Bidonde
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Default Tweaking Toe-In

Has anyone tried increasing the Model A's toe-in to improve tracking? Please, no comments about fixing the steering, caster or camber.
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Old 09-22-2021, 10:22 AM   #2
GPierce
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

I discovered my toe-in was 7/16” when I noticed front tire wear was leaving a feathered edge, little ribs on one side of the tire next to the grooves. That’s a clear sign of excessive toe-in. I had no reason to suspect I had excessive toe-in prior to noticing the tire wear as the truck tracked and steered great.
I reset the toe-in to 1/16” and noticed no change in the steering or tracking.

A grossly exaggerated image of what the excessive toe-in caused.
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Old 09-22-2021, 10:42 AM   #3
Dean Lemoine
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

I too noticed the front tires were both wearing a little on the outside, with 5000 miles on radial tires. I checked the toe in and found it was at 3/8 in. I set it a 1/16 with no noticeable change in the way it drives
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Old 09-22-2021, 10:46 AM   #4
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

The toe was originally 1/4", but, with the roads getting better during that time Ford figured out that was too much and cut it back to 1/32- 1/16".
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Old 09-22-2021, 02:35 PM   #5
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

Problem I found with setting toe-in to 1/32 is that it is darn near impossible to do as a one person job. I need to find a shop here in North Idaho and see what they can do. Using the rod method, I get measurements at 2:00 o'clock and 7:30 o'clock instead of 3:00 and 9:00, and each measurement differs up to 1/8" or more. I've never been able to get the same measurement twice in a row. Set mine at about 1/8th inch and it tracks excellent. I have new tires so I probably won't see abnormal wear for 5,000 miles. At the rate I drive that will make me about 215 years old, and I'll be too stiff to get under the car to fix it.
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Old 09-22-2021, 02:48 PM   #6
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

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In later years (36)they came out with a specification that factored in camber, it is outlined in the 1936 service bulletins,
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Old 09-22-2021, 03:03 PM   #7
nkaminar
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

What ever happened to those old toe-n measuring machines that you drive over? They had moveable teeth that would move in or out as the car's front wheel drove over the machine. Such a simple mechanical device. No compfuers involved, no complicated setup, and quick and easy.
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Old 09-22-2021, 04:33 PM   #8
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
What ever happened to those old toe-n measuring machines that you drive over? They had moveable teeth that would move in or out as the car's front wheel drove over the machine. Such a simple mechanical device. No compfuers involved, no complicated setup, and quick and easy.



Still have one, had to use it for the old state inspections. They were simple, not very accurate.

For cars such as ours I just use a tram bar or spring loaded gauge.
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Old 09-22-2021, 04:38 PM   #9
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Tweaking Toe-In

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldgearz View Post
Problem I found with setting toe-in to 1/32 is that it is darn near impossible to do as a one person job. I need to find a shop here in North Idaho and see what they can do. Using the rod method, I get measurements at 2:00 o'clock and 7:30 o'clock instead of 3:00 and 9:00, and each measurement differs up to 1/8" or more. I've never been able to get the same measurement twice in a row. Set mine at about 1/8th inch and it tracks excellent. I have new tires so I probably won't see abnormal wear for 5,000 miles. At the rate I drive that will make me about 215 years old, and I'll be too stiff to get under the car to fix it.


I can understand that. Guess I'm used to it. Most of the time I just use a tram bar or spring gauge. I check it about three times, doesn't take too long.
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