Tyre Alignment and Balancing

[infinity]

So won't loosening and tightening the nut cause the tie rod end to go in and out of the sleeve(ball joint/inner tie-rod)

This is how the toe is adjusted and the steering is centered.

Loosening and tightening(not cause)allows the tie rod end to go in out of the sleeve with the help of ball joints

The procedure of alignment in short
Park the vehicle straight in position
Adjust turn plates and move the vehicle into it(the wheels are placed in turn plates)
Lock the brake
Place the sensors which is used to measure the alignment readings
After measurements lock the steering wheel(steering wheel are not always locked straight in position it is locked in the position as indicated by alignment machinery)
If any caster adjustment first with that
then camber
Then finally with tie rod end adjustment
(threaded side of tie rod end is connected to ball joints and the other end to the knuckle arm and the other side of ball joints are connected to steering rack )
After unlocking the tie rod end nut,the ball joints are rotated in clock or anti clock wise which makes the wheel to move towards inward or outward and this is how we set the wheel into desired alignment reading.
After setting wheel into alignment reading lock the the tie rod end nut.
And finally if the steering wheel is not straight/center,position it to straight/center and the alignment is done after that.

 

[jarpickle]

How is the steering wheel centered?

After unlocking the tie rod end nut,the ball joints are rotated in clock or anti clock wise which makes the wheel to move towards inward or outward and this is how we set the wheel into desired alignment reading.

The wheels don't move inward or outward.Its the toe, you will be changing the toe angle.

 

[infinity]

How is the steering wheel centered?

After unlocking the tie rod end nut,the ball joints are rotated in clock or anti clock wise which makes the wheel to move towards inward or outward and this is how we set the wheel into desired alignment reading.

The wheels don't move inward or outward.Its the toe, you will be changing the toe angle.

The toe angle is what the position of wheel
Toe in or positive toe the wheel inwards
Toe out or negative toe the wheel outwards
So its obvious changing the toe angle makes the wheel to move.

Steering wheel is centered by removing the steering wheel cover,where you can find a chuck nut,unlock it remove the steering wheel,postion it,for accurancy test drive is required and then lock the check nut.

 

[jarpickle]

Never have to remove the steering wheel to center it.

If you remove the steering wheel and center it, the toe will still be out.

That's not the right way.

Each of the tie rods use a connecting sleeve with right hand and left hand threads that are used to align the wheels. If you loosen the adjusting clamps on those sleeves, you can shorten one and lengthen the other. That is how the "toe-in" is set

If, when you straighten your steering wheel that turns the wheels to the left.You need to move the left wheel in(toe-in) toward the car.

For more info of what toe means, please refer to the pics on page 1.

 

[infinity]

Never have to remove the steering wheel to center it.

If you remove the steering wheel and center it, the toe will still be out.

That's not the right way..

what if the the steering box is repaired and the steering wheel position is upside down after repair???
Should we align the wheel after getting it into straight position or with the same position
If done with getting it into straight position means what if the thread of tie rod ends and unable to align the wheel????

 

[jarpickle]

We are not discussing what needs to be done after a steering wheel job.

The people who have raised the question have had the alignment done and the wheel was still not centered.

If the entire steering system (rack&pinion and column)was all removed yes they would adjust the steering wheel after everything is fitted.Because the steering wheel is the last piece in that puzzle.

But it is always advised and given in the car manuals that the alignment should be done after a suspension and steering geometry job.

 

[infinity]

Well all i could say is removing and positioning the streeing wheel is right way of alignment

 

[jarpickle]

It will get the steering wheel aligned, but not the steering geometry and its related components.

Personally I have had the steering centering problem only once and for that the adjustments were made at the tie rod.The tyre store mechanic locked the steering at center position using a lock that was supported on the seat and then adjusted the tie-rod from underneath the car.And voila, steering was perfectly centered.

Ps:I got this done at a goodyear tyre store.

 

[Varun560061]

Just now got the alignment and balancing done. Also got the tire rotation done.

The adviser told me that the spare cannot be used because it has more thread, he told it will effect the alignment, is it true.

The job done was perfect, steering it now in exact position. Also vobling issue has been solved. Total cost 600rs.

Got it done at Vijay Alignments, nice job done by them..

 

[jarpickle]

Tire rotation is done after 5-10k kms.It is obvious that the spare would have more thread than the ones that were used for 5-10k kms.

But as long as all the tires are of the same make,model and size it won't be a problem

Is your steering centered now?

 

[infinity]

The adviser told me that the spare cannot be used because it has more thread, he told it will effect the alignment, is it true.

It will effect the alignment if any height variation occurs using the spare Tyre and else you could use the spare Tyre to the rear side because no issue with the rear alignment for your M8oo.

 

[dhruvpandit]

i am going to add some puncture sealent in my tyre, will i need to re-balance my tyres??

 

[infinity]

if it increases the weight of tyre you should or else no need dude.

 

[infinity]

Info on conducting alignment,so many might be not knowing it i guess..
Image of unlocked tie rod end nut.

Adjusting the alignment reading with ball joints

After alignment locked tie rod end nut

 

[Varun560061]

Tire rotation is done after 5-10k kms.It is obvious that the spare would have more thread than the ones that were used for 5-10k kms.

But as long as all the tires are of the same make,model and size it won't be a problem

Is your steering centered now?

Yes the steering is centered now.. Still there is a bit difference I will again take to the aligner.

It will effect the alignment if any height variation occurs using the spare Tyre and else you could use the spare Tyre to the rear side because no issue with the rear alignment for your M8oo.

Thanks for the info, can I do it my self now, does it causes any alignment issues ?