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Adjusting toe in

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2022 3:32 pm
by RichJohnson
My front end got loose last year and my friend rebuilt my kingpin bearings and knuckles for me.
Within a few months I noticed it would tend to pull right especially on bumps.
I dont drive it as much as I used to now a days.

Well I got on the freeway yesterday and got a massive death wobble at 45 out of nowhere. First time its ever done that.
The wheel bearings are not loose, they are nice and tight after jacking up and shaking and steering isnt loose so Im really leaning on the right wheel toe in adjustment being out.

Without the special gizmo sliding rod in the manual whats a good way to do this yourself, if its possible or do I need to go to a shop for a proper alignment?

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2022 5:01 pm
by RonD2
Hi Rich,
The measurement is very small, 3/32" to 3/16" (total).
Maybe you've already seen them, but searching the forum on "toe adjust" gets hits describing doing it manually that might interest you.
Here's a few:

http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... toe+adjust
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... toe+adjust
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... toe+adjust

I could be mistaken but think death wobble can be caused by worn or improperly adjusted components anywhere in the entire steering system --- not just wheel bearings or wrong toe-in setting.
Could be one bad component or a combination of bad components adding up.
Nowadays it could also be crapola off-shore parts right out of the box.
Needs a careful inspection of everything to find.

There's also plenty of posts to search by "death wobble" maybe you've already seen?

I have one of those sliding tools shown in the manual.
Found it second hand army surplus fairly cheap. Works good.

Good luck!

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2022 6:43 pm
by RonD2
The sliding gizmo gauge is still available today, Made in the U.S.A.
Google SPC 99374 or see one here: https://www.jegs.com/i/SPC/827/99374/10002/-1
There's also a short video about using it.
Considering the cost at an alignment shop, this tool would pay for itself pretty quick.

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2022 7:39 pm
by RonD2
I wonder how it all turned out.