DIY front end toe alignment?

chrisjm91 · Post by **chrisjm91** » 07 Sep 2014, 11:14

Hey guys, I was wondering if anybody has come across the procedure to adjust the toe on a 95 850? I watched a YouTube vid of a guy aligning the toe on an older volvo but my tie rods are different from his. I know to loosen the lock nut, measure using a string or lines on the tires, and to reduce friction on the front end so the tires can slide in easier. But my question is what am suppose to turn to pull it In? Do I pop tue tie rod off and twist it in or can I just turn it with it still attached? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Post by **RussB** » 07 Sep 2014, 11:32

Loosen the locknut and turn the inner tie rod . Get it close then have it properly aligned

Post by **oragex** » 07 Sep 2014, 12:20

As mentioned above, it's the inner tie rod that turns to adjust the toe in - it has a notch where you can place a wrench to turn it. Remember, you always need to adjust both sides (left and right wheels) in such way that the steering wheel will remain centered. As a rule of thumb, if the steering wheel is only slightly off-center, turn the inner tie rod no more than 45 deg. then drive the car to check the steering wheel.

When finished, careful when tightening back the nut, as you might loose the adjustment. I always keep the wrench on the inner tie rod to see if it wants to turn. Don't over-tighten the nut too much, not needed and surely you will have to readjust sometimes later.

chrisjm91 · Post by **chrisjm91** » 07 Sep 2014, 13:32

Thanks for the input! But thats where ive ran into a road block; there is no notch on my inner tie rod? Would it be underneath the boot? Theres about an inch and a half between the inner tie rod boot and the outer tie rod lock nut?

Post by **RussB** » 07 Sep 2014, 14:40

There's a 13mm hex on the inner tie rod. If there's no hex, just use pliers.

What did you replace or do that makes you want to do a home-brew alignment?

Post by **cn90** » 07 Sep 2014, 16:10

Yes turn the inner tie rod to adjust toe-in. You will need to heat with propane torch and use some PB Blaster because by this time the threads are seized in there (water, salt from winter etc.).

As long as you have parallel lines on the garage floor, then you are OK.

I wrote a DIY using plumb bob (you need an even garage floor), search for it.

I align my cars at home and have not been to an alignment shop for the last 10 years...

Post by **erikv11** » 07 Sep 2014, 20:07

cn90 wrote:... I align my cars at home and have not been to an alignment shop for the last 10 years...

I have done some front wheel alignments myself, no issues there, but have not figured out how to avoid the shop altogether ...

How have you aligned the rear wheels on your Volvos and other FWD cars? How do you make sure the front and the rear track together (check the thrust angle and adjust if/as necessary)?

chrisjm91 · Post by **chrisjm91** » 08 Sep 2014, 05:32

Ok so I need to pull back the boot to find the notch or just take pliers to the open portion of the inner tie rod? The reason I am trying to align is that ever since I bought the car it has pulled hard right and thr INSIDE of my FRONT DRIVERS SIDE tire is wore way down. I rotated the tires from rear to the front and within a matter of days that tire was wore down on the inside as well. I measured yesterday using both string and tire line trick. What I came up with was an 1/8th inch off on both left and right tires, a 1/4 inch total.

Post by **regent** » 08 Sep 2014, 07:41

If you have a significant pull and wear, then there could be a component that has been bent and the pull may remain even after your adjust the toe. Have you ruled out a bent control arm?

Post by **RussB** » 08 Sep 2014, 13:40

regent wrote:If you have a significant pull and wear, then there could be a component that has been bent and the pull may remain even after your adjust the toe. Have you ruled out a bent control arm?

This.

everything looks pretty old in there. check the inner & outer tie rods and the ball joints