DIY Toe-in Alignment 4-wheel PRECISION (w/string)

After installing a new rear subframe on my 1996 Mercury Mystique (and after a minor collision with a large deer), the toe-in alignment needs to be set from scratch on all 4 wheels, front and rear.

In this video I go over how to use a simple yet extremely PRECISE string method to dial in the toe-in on all 4 wheels of any car.

For your own vehicle, all you need to know before starting this procedure are:
1) the FRONT and REAR TRACK WIDTH,
2) the manufacturer-recommended TOE-IN SPECIFICATIONS.

Let's align some wheels!
Enjoy!
Ivan

[ericcorse]

I applaud your note taking skills as someone that kept a lab notebook for 45 years.

[reneneron]

Good instructions, but a few suggestions to make this easier. First, use 4 jack stands and 2 pieces of graduated conduit (EMT sold with measurements already engraved on the conduit). Then simply set up a rectangle of string square to the car, with the string an arbitrary difference from each wheel. Provided that the rectangle is square to the car, you only need to check the difference between the front and back of each tire to obtain the toe in / out...no error calculation required, nor is the track measurement or wheelbase of the car needed (which won't work anyway if running non stock tires or wheels). Second, roll the car onto a few small disposable plastic shopping bags that have been saved from your last shopping trip and layed flat prior to setting up your jack stands. The tires will turn much easier on the bags (very low friction between the layers of plastic), making it easier and more accurate to align. Thin metal plates with a little lube also work, but bags are free, readily available, and simply recycled when you are done.

[wyattoneable]

I've struggled with math my whole life. This is one example of where math actually made sense because it is math I can actually put to use. Thanks for bringing us along and I'm glad you got that "pulling" issue figured out.

[jakeandrus]

I see tire related pulls all the time at work, that's usually my first step with pulls 🤘🏻

[Ram]

Great job Ivan! Happy to see a vehicle that old that is an everyday driver look so good and be in such great condition! Keep up the great videos.

[Diagnosedan]

It felt like i was in math class again🤣🤣 I guess the Deer was out of alignment aswell🦌.

[martyyt]

I agree. Using the front and rear of the rim will eliminate the tire being slightly misshapen and throwing your measurement off. That is unless the rim got whacked! Good Job explaining how to do it.

[viceroy]

Great Job Ivan, Another Happy Customer.

[ThePracticalMechanic]

I don’t feel bad complaining about the accuracy of my alignment machine now. I spend an extra 10-15 minutes performing re-compensations and you can set toe with a string. Way to go Ivan.

[kevinbyrne]

24:04 -- He who persists, wins.
Nicely done, sir.

[segbachan]

Really nice video Ivan you're most definitely not the terrible 😁👍

[AP]

Ivan, that's totally PHAD style!!!! Very meticulous job. I enjoyed watching how it was done, taking variables out. Checking frame, etc. Totally agree with ya. Great video!! I'll learn this on my blazer when it needs it

[billneu]

The best part of your videos are the updates Bill N

[rrmech]

Take it to Eric O and prove to the Trolls the adjustments are Dead on Balls. Nice job Ivan.

[billneu]

Thanks not only how to aliment my car but also solving an math problem thanks for your time Bill N

[noelcastle]

Just had 4 new tyres fitted to my landcruiser last week looking forward to trying your wheel alignment method. Here in australia we hit kangaroos they are much smaller than deer but dont go over the windscreen like your experience so you end up with the full impact energy on your front bumper usually your lucky if your radiator support survives without being bent with grill and bumper plastics written off.

[soulmuzings]

Great video!! found you through suggested videos. I just started a Youtube Channel not long ago and very interested in the human evolution and spirituality topic. Keep following your passion and creating great content. Sending you good vibes and lots of love 💖

[mikechiodetti]

That's assuming you took geometry and trigonometry in school. Since I only had Algebra 1, I take my vehicle to an alignment shop. I did get to do 2 alignments at work over 20 years ago to two Dodge B350 vans. It worked great! Thanks to a coworker's help with the first one, I learned how to set specifications (a little more) so that when done, they (Caster, Camber, Toe-In) were set dead on!
Now the machines do so much more. Still, you've done a Good Video.

[TheFlyingMechanicDIY]

It will be interesting to take it to an alignment shop now just to check how far off were you, within limits or far off !

[john]

Great video! I had the same problem after replacing my steering rack on my Taurus and performed a string alignment, also drilled the top strut tower and corrected the camber issue, car still pulled to the right, swapped tires it was better, replaced front tires, then it was perfect. Also I checked the tire pressures, round of tire for cord break and rim for true before replacing the tires.