Setting toe aftermarket tie rod installation

[Deezus]

I'm going to install the Synergy tie rod/drag link on my 2018 JLUR. I was trying to figure out a way to keep toe as it is without having to set it myself or get an alignment.
One idea was to put marks on front of knuckles with stock tie rod on and measure. Install new tie rod and adjust until measurement on knuckles are the same as before.
Thoughts?

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[rustyshakelford]

I'm going to install the Synergy tie rod/drag link on my 2018 JLUR. I was trying to figure out a way to keep toe as it is without having to set it myself or get an alignment.
One idea was to put marks on front of knuckles with stock tie rod on and measure. Install new tie rod and adjust until measurement on knuckles are the same as before.
Thoughts?

There’s ways to do it with a tape measure. You’re going to need to pull the tire off anyways to properly torque the nuts. Could measure from disc in front of the axle and then behind the axle. I believe you’re looking for about 1/8” wider in the front

Brett

 

[2Wheel-Lee]

Sorry, it's not a Jeep picture (it's one of my other projects), but this is how I align toe. A simple piece of straight metal on both sides of the vehicle. It's easiest if you have two people (one on each side). Measured at about 30-33" apart, adjust the toe so the difference in measurements is your toe. If toe in, the front measurement will be slightly less.

Since I did this solo, I had some simple "J" bolts holding the aluminum piece against the tire. It's not a perfect measurement, but I do this to get it close enough. Though every time I've taken a vehicle I aligned in my garage, the shop has always said that it's within spec, so I no longer take vehicles to get them aligned.

For my Ram 2500, I have a couple aluminum bars drilled so that I can bolt them directly to the hub. This takes the possible tire variable out of the way.

 

[Deezus]

I see there's different ways to do it but what about using the starting point off of the knuckle while stock tie rod is in place, I'm not lifting vehicle.

 

[AllJumpStyle]

You won't be able to get a great measurement off the knuckle or anything other than the tire.

With everything installed and the steering pointed straight on flat ground, put a piece of painter's tape on the front of each tire. Draw a vertical line on each piece of tape and measure the distance between them. Roll the vehicle forward or backwards so the tape is now on the rear of the tires and measure between them. You typically want 1/16" - 1/8" narrower in the front than in the rear. Adjust until you get this, then center your steering wheel with your drag link. Done.

 

[gato]

You won't be able to get a great measurement off the knuckle or anything other than the tire.

With everything installed and the steering pointed straight on flat ground, put a piece of painter's tape on the front of each tire. Draw a vertical line on each piece of tape and measure the distance between them. Roll the vehicle forward or backwards so the tape is now on the rear of the tires and measure between them. You typically want 1/16" - 1/8" narrower in the front than in the rear. Adjust until you get this, then center your steering wheel with your drag link. Done.

Old thread, but I want to say that this above is the only method that yielded consistent results, particularly with off road tires that have irregular sidewalls. I'll be using this method exclusively going forward.

Thanks @AllJumpStyle for posting.

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