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Setting Toe
Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other
Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be adjusted: Toe. Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as indicated by tire wear and steering feel? I have googled and there are some reports on this, but they are a bit vague. Also, I see tools like the toe gage plates advertised at http://www.quickcar.net/chassis/ch_tp.html and Ebay Motors. Is it a big deal to find my own very flat plates, apply them to the tire sides, devise a way to take measurements, etc.? I am sure tempted to do so. On rear toe -- Having just replaced the trailing arm bushings in my 91 Civic, I know there are little "compensator arms" attaching to the front of the trailing arm. At one end, the compensator arm is bolted to the car. The bolt, when loosened, can move in a slot so that some adjustment is possible. Hash marks are etched prominently into the body of the car at this point to facilitate adjustment. The factory service manual describes this under "Rear Toe Inspection/Adjustment." See for example http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m...SH200/12-5.pdf The other end of the compensator arm is free-floating. That is, it rides on air. It seems a rather flimsy arrangement for adjusting toe with any precision. The design seems to explain the following three comments: "... usually only the front suspension [wheel alignment] is adjustable." Chilton's 1984-1995 Honda Civic/CRX/del Sol manual, page 8-12 "A unique feature of [the 1984-1995 models'] suspension system is the compensator arm. This component allows a certain amount of side-to-side movement of the trailing arm. This helps to maintain a better toe angle of the wheel throughout the suspension travel." Chiltons, page 8-16 "The [new at the time 1993 Integra] trailing arm's front end is located by a short transverse compensating arm which cancels unwanted toe changes." http://dwolsten.tripod.com/articles/sep93b.html ISTM the free end of that compensator arm will move in a radius around its other (adjusting bolted) end. So it moves in and out somewhat, changing toe according to driving conditions and wear on the car. As a result of all this commentary, I get the feeling that rear toe need not be sweated too much. Thoughts? |
Re: Setting Toe
"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:YDkmg.9417$o4.569@newsread2.news.pas.earthlin k.net... > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other Honda models) > permits only one alignment angle to be adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools did you use or > devise? Was your effort successful as indicated by tire wear and steering > feel? > I've done several by looking at the wear pattern. Initially I've tried to get close with a measuring tape, but all the stuff in the way makes that hopeless. If you find a fairly straight stretch of road and put masking tape (duct tape if the masking tape won't hold) from sidewall to sidewall on the front tires, you can drive a mile or so and check the wear. Excessive toe-in shows up as wear on the outer edges while toe-out appears as wear on the inner edges. I start with half turn adjustments on each tie rod; your intuition should do just fine for the finer adjustments. It goes without saying the differential tie rod adjustment affects how your steering wheel sits, so the iterative process often ends with adjusting the centering after you get the wear dialed in. Within an hour you should have a really fine result. Mike |
Re: Setting Toe
"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:YDkmg.9417$o4.569@newsread2.news.pas.earthlin k.net... > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other Honda models) > permits only one alignment angle to be adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools did you use or > devise? Was your effort successful as indicated by tire wear and steering > feel? > I've done several by looking at the wear pattern. Initially I've tried to get close with a measuring tape, but all the stuff in the way makes that hopeless. If you find a fairly straight stretch of road and put masking tape (duct tape if the masking tape won't hold) from sidewall to sidewall on the front tires, you can drive a mile or so and check the wear. Excessive toe-in shows up as wear on the outer edges while toe-out appears as wear on the inner edges. I start with half turn adjustments on each tie rod; your intuition should do just fine for the finer adjustments. It goes without saying the differential tie rod adjustment affects how your steering wheel sits, so the iterative process often ends with adjusting the centering after you get the wear dialed in. Within an hour you should have a really fine result. Mike |
Re: Setting Toe
"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:YDkmg.9417$o4.569@newsread2.news.pas.earthlin k.net... > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other Honda models) > permits only one alignment angle to be adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools did you use or > devise? Was your effort successful as indicated by tire wear and steering > feel? > I've done several by looking at the wear pattern. Initially I've tried to get close with a measuring tape, but all the stuff in the way makes that hopeless. If you find a fairly straight stretch of road and put masking tape (duct tape if the masking tape won't hold) from sidewall to sidewall on the front tires, you can drive a mile or so and check the wear. Excessive toe-in shows up as wear on the outer edges while toe-out appears as wear on the inner edges. I start with half turn adjustments on each tie rod; your intuition should do just fine for the finer adjustments. It goes without saying the differential tie rod adjustment affects how your steering wheel sits, so the iterative process often ends with adjusting the centering after you get the wear dialed in. Within an hour you should have a really fine result. Mike |
Re: Setting Toe
Elle wrote:
> > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other > Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be > adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools > did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as > indicated by tire wear and steering feel? > [snip] If you've had the rear trailing arms replaced, then you need to have the rear toe adjusted. The best way to do this is to have a professional alignment done. Just pay the $50-60 or whatever and get a 4 wheel alignment done. I've done many alignments using computerized laser sensors which are mounted to the wheels. A small amount of adjustment at the rears typically makes a large difference. I believe that a professional 4 wheel alignment will be the best thing you can do to maximize the longevity of your tires (including of course regularly checking the air pressure and rotating them periodically so that they get even wear). Eric |
Re: Setting Toe
Elle wrote:
> > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other > Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be > adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools > did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as > indicated by tire wear and steering feel? > [snip] If you've had the rear trailing arms replaced, then you need to have the rear toe adjusted. The best way to do this is to have a professional alignment done. Just pay the $50-60 or whatever and get a 4 wheel alignment done. I've done many alignments using computerized laser sensors which are mounted to the wheels. A small amount of adjustment at the rears typically makes a large difference. I believe that a professional 4 wheel alignment will be the best thing you can do to maximize the longevity of your tires (including of course regularly checking the air pressure and rotating them periodically so that they get even wear). Eric |
Re: Setting Toe
Elle wrote:
> > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other > Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be > adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools > did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as > indicated by tire wear and steering feel? > [snip] If you've had the rear trailing arms replaced, then you need to have the rear toe adjusted. The best way to do this is to have a professional alignment done. Just pay the $50-60 or whatever and get a 4 wheel alignment done. I've done many alignments using computerized laser sensors which are mounted to the wheels. A small amount of adjustment at the rears typically makes a large difference. I believe that a professional 4 wheel alignment will be the best thing you can do to maximize the longevity of your tires (including of course regularly checking the air pressure and rotating them periodically so that they get even wear). Eric |
Re: Setting Toe
"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in
news:YDkmg.9417$o4.569@newsread2.news.pas.earthlin k.net: > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other > Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be > adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools > did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as > indicated by tire wear and steering feel? You can't do it yourself with any precision. The job is properly done this way: 1) Adjust REAR *total* toe FIRST. This gives you your "thrust center line", upon which the FRONT toe depends. 2) After rear toe is adjusted, front toe is adjusted using the steering outer tie-rod ends so that two things occur: a) *Total* front toe is within spec, and b) front-end toe on either side of the thrust center line is equal. Thrust center line (rear axle forwards): _ | |-------- | - Front wheels pointed towards the thrust center line. Their angles must intersect the thrust line at the same point: _ \ | |--------- | - / The shop will often not adjust BOTH compensator arms, but only one. It's not necessary to do both, so long as the thrust center line is such that the front end can be made to conform to it within its range of adjustment. The thrust line does NOT have to parallel the car body's front-to-back centerline. If you've guessed that the car may not travel down the road perfectly straight, but may "crab" or "dog walk" a little to one side, you're right. And it does not matter if this happens. Some cars (certain domestics come to mind) only have a single rear adjustment on ONE side. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
Re: Setting Toe
"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in
news:YDkmg.9417$o4.569@newsread2.news.pas.earthlin k.net: > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other > Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be > adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools > did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as > indicated by tire wear and steering feel? You can't do it yourself with any precision. The job is properly done this way: 1) Adjust REAR *total* toe FIRST. This gives you your "thrust center line", upon which the FRONT toe depends. 2) After rear toe is adjusted, front toe is adjusted using the steering outer tie-rod ends so that two things occur: a) *Total* front toe is within spec, and b) front-end toe on either side of the thrust center line is equal. Thrust center line (rear axle forwards): _ | |-------- | - Front wheels pointed towards the thrust center line. Their angles must intersect the thrust line at the same point: _ \ | |--------- | - / The shop will often not adjust BOTH compensator arms, but only one. It's not necessary to do both, so long as the thrust center line is such that the front end can be made to conform to it within its range of adjustment. The thrust line does NOT have to parallel the car body's front-to-back centerline. If you've guessed that the car may not travel down the road perfectly straight, but may "crab" or "dog walk" a little to one side, you're right. And it does not matter if this happens. Some cars (certain domestics come to mind) only have a single rear adjustment on ONE side. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
Re: Setting Toe
"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in
news:YDkmg.9417$o4.569@newsread2.news.pas.earthlin k.net: > Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other > Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be > adjusted: Toe. > > Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools > did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as > indicated by tire wear and steering feel? You can't do it yourself with any precision. The job is properly done this way: 1) Adjust REAR *total* toe FIRST. This gives you your "thrust center line", upon which the FRONT toe depends. 2) After rear toe is adjusted, front toe is adjusted using the steering outer tie-rod ends so that two things occur: a) *Total* front toe is within spec, and b) front-end toe on either side of the thrust center line is equal. Thrust center line (rear axle forwards): _ | |-------- | - Front wheels pointed towards the thrust center line. Their angles must intersect the thrust line at the same point: _ \ | |--------- | - / The shop will often not adjust BOTH compensator arms, but only one. It's not necessary to do both, so long as the thrust center line is such that the front end can be made to conform to it within its range of adjustment. The thrust line does NOT have to parallel the car body's front-to-back centerline. If you've guessed that the car may not travel down the road perfectly straight, but may "crab" or "dog walk" a little to one side, you're right. And it does not matter if this happens. Some cars (certain domestics come to mind) only have a single rear adjustment on ONE side. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
Re: Setting Toe
Eric wrote:
> Elle wrote: > >>Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other >>Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be >>adjusted: Toe. >> >>Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools >>did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as >>indicated by tire wear and steering feel? >> > > > [snip] > > If you've had the rear trailing arms replaced, then you need to have the > rear toe adjusted. The best way to do this is to have a professional > alignment done. Just pay the $50-60 or whatever and get a 4 wheel > alignment done. I've done many alignments using computerized laser sensors > which are mounted to the wheels. A small amount of adjustment at the rears > typically makes a large difference. I believe that a professional 4 wheel > alignment will be the best thing you can do to maximize the longevity of > your tires (including of course regularly checking the air pressure and > rotating them periodically so that they get even wear). > > Eric what he said. because of the 4-wheel alignment necessary on this vehicle, and the difficulty of setting the thrust angle iteratively, pay to have it done elle. but because also of the, er, "patchy" quality of some alignment shops, make sure you take it to a place that guarantees their work. then you can keep taking it back until they get it right. and eric's not fooling - the rears are uber-sensitive. |
Re: Setting Toe
Eric wrote:
> Elle wrote: > >>Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other >>Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be >>adjusted: Toe. >> >>Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools >>did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as >>indicated by tire wear and steering feel? >> > > > [snip] > > If you've had the rear trailing arms replaced, then you need to have the > rear toe adjusted. The best way to do this is to have a professional > alignment done. Just pay the $50-60 or whatever and get a 4 wheel > alignment done. I've done many alignments using computerized laser sensors > which are mounted to the wheels. A small amount of adjustment at the rears > typically makes a large difference. I believe that a professional 4 wheel > alignment will be the best thing you can do to maximize the longevity of > your tires (including of course regularly checking the air pressure and > rotating them periodically so that they get even wear). > > Eric what he said. because of the 4-wheel alignment necessary on this vehicle, and the difficulty of setting the thrust angle iteratively, pay to have it done elle. but because also of the, er, "patchy" quality of some alignment shops, make sure you take it to a place that guarantees their work. then you can keep taking it back until they get it right. and eric's not fooling - the rears are uber-sensitive. |
Re: Setting Toe
Eric wrote:
> Elle wrote: > >>Without serious modifications, my 91 Civic (among other >>Honda models) permits only one alignment angle to be >>adjusted: Toe. >> >>Has anyone here set the toe themselves? If so, what tools >>did you use or devise? Was your effort successful as >>indicated by tire wear and steering feel? >> > > > [snip] > > If you've had the rear trailing arms replaced, then you need to have the > rear toe adjusted. The best way to do this is to have a professional > alignment done. Just pay the $50-60 or whatever and get a 4 wheel > alignment done. I've done many alignments using computerized laser sensors > which are mounted to the wheels. A small amount of adjustment at the rears > typically makes a large difference. I believe that a professional 4 wheel > alignment will be the best thing you can do to maximize the longevity of > your tires (including of course regularly checking the air pressure and > rotating them periodically so that they get even wear). > > Eric what he said. because of the 4-wheel alignment necessary on this vehicle, and the difficulty of setting the thrust angle iteratively, pay to have it done elle. but because also of the, er, "patchy" quality of some alignment shops, make sure you take it to a place that guarantees their work. then you can keep taking it back until they get it right. and eric's not fooling - the rears are uber-sensitive. |
Re: Setting Toe
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
news:Xns97E9E0CAE877Etegger@207.14.116.130: > If you've guessed that the car may not travel down the road perfectly > straight, but may "crab" or "dog walk" a little to one side, you're > right. And it does not matter if this happens. To clarify: If you have to rotate the steering wheel and hold it there to make the car track straight, this is an issue quite separate from the "dog walking". "Dog walking" by itself does not cause steering pull. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
Re: Setting Toe
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
news:Xns97E9E0CAE877Etegger@207.14.116.130: > If you've guessed that the car may not travel down the road perfectly > straight, but may "crab" or "dog walk" a little to one side, you're > right. And it does not matter if this happens. To clarify: If you have to rotate the steering wheel and hold it there to make the car track straight, this is an issue quite separate from the "dog walking". "Dog walking" by itself does not cause steering pull. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
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