Hey guys,

So I just finished changing all my front control arms and both tie rods. I know I need to get an alignment done but I was just a bit curious about the toe...My right wheel seems to be like tilted a bit more than it should. When getting an alignment done will they adjust the toe in the tires as well? Would any shop do that or should I take it to the dealer to make sure they fix the toe as well as the regular alignment?

Thanks

 

The only sopt to adjust alignment is the tie rod ends. Hopefuly you had load on the suspension when tightening the control arms down.

 

Well I made sure the upper ones were torqued into place at the same angle as the ones on the other side of the car that did have load. As for the other bolts I dont know how I would have tightened them with load on them since I would have to put the tire back on to do that and then I wouldnt really be able to get at them... I just finished it this morning, did I do something wrong? Could you explain what you mean please.

Thanks

 

You can use a jack under the lower control arms to jack up the shock with the wheel off- and be able to tighten everything with clearance. Even if you didn't do this, it shouldn't mess up your toe, but I can't think of anything else that would. It might be worthwhile to put it back up on jackstands, losen those lower bolts/nuts, put load on the shock, and then retighten. Even if this isn't the cause of your toe issue it may add lots of life to your new CAs.

If you are jacking right bellow the lower control arm ball joints, just use a block of wood between them and the jack.

 

Yeah I had read about that, I should probably re-do it like that but even then like you said it shouldnt affect the toe... I think I heard something about the vertical bolt in the tie rod being the one used to adjust toe? How you need to jack the car to a specific height and then tighten something to set the tie rod properly... Either way if I take it to the dealer and ask for an allignment they will set it all right, right?

 

The steering knuckle attaches to the control arms, and the control arms are fixed to the frame, and thats it. No reason to take it to the dealer uless it'll make you feel better. The verticle bolt in the tie rod is what bolts the tie rod to the knuckle, it's not for adjusting.

 

Yeah that makes more sense, I couldnt really see how the toe would be able to be adjusted, everything is fixed into place. I guess any allignment shop could do a good job on it.

 

After looking over it again I think that the fact the wheels arent quite aligned coupled with slightly low tire pressure may be making it look funny. I think I'll get it aligned then see how it looks.