Front end Alignment???

[srgtlord]

Soooooo After day of assembling struts, and 2 days trying to press out and press in the new wheel bearing, I finally have my front end back together, but now the toe in -out is out of whack. I need to align my wheels somehow. Any ideas ?

[theman53]

I always take it to an alignment center so I can complain to them when it isn't perfect.

If you have a helper you can measure toe with a tape. I have always found a specific spot on the tread of the tire and measured the same spot front and back. If you have rims with no tires on them that are straight you can measure front and back of them that way. IIRC 0 to 1/32" of toe in is what our VW's should be at.

[bajacalal]

Do the measuring tape method, at least to get it close enough drive on the road, and then take it to an alignment shop as soon as you can (or, as in my case, over a year). The tires should be square to the car with the steering wheel straight and there should be no difference in distance between the same two spots on the tires, tire to tire, when measured at the front and at the back of the tire. Some tires have a nice centerline, others seem to have no symmetrical characteristics at all. Be sure that you are level, i.e. making your measurements at the same distance from the ground/bottom of tire in all cases.

[clbanman]

Jack the front end up and spin each of the front tires while holding a piece of chalk or white paint marker against the tire. (I use a stand with a clamp - not holding in my hands.)  This will give you a line around the tire that you can use as a reference in the front and rear to measure toe-in without moving the car.   Roll the car back, then forward, stopping gently before each measurement. 

[8v-of-fury]

Did you remove the strut from the knuckle to replace the bearing?

Chances are you did, and when re-installing everything you have managed to change the camber settings which will affect toe settings directly by changing the suspension geometry. If you are satisfied with where you have each tire set for camber, then it is as easy as adjusting the tie rods like mentioned above with a tape measure on the front and back of the tire.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Did you remove the strut from the knuckle to replace the bearing?

Chances are you did, and when re-installing everything you have managed to change the camber settings which will affect toe settings directly by changing the suspension geometry. If you are satisfied with where you have each tire set for camber, then it is as easy as adjusting the tie rods like mentioned above with a tape measure on the front and back of the tire.

i take and clamp some pretty hefty chunks of steel to the outside of my wheels, flat against the face of the wheel, and measure from there.

tires have variations, broken belts, flat spots, and dont always work awesome for aligning the car.

[clbanman]

If you use the method I mentioned, you create a straight line regardless of if the tire moves in or out.   That's why I don't measure off tread blocks.   Rims (especially steel) can get bent as well.   

[R.O.R-2.0]

If you use the method I mentioned, you create a straight line regardless of if the tire moves in or out.   That's why I don't measure off tread blocks.   Rims (especially steel) can get bent as well.   

thats why i align my cars with my brand new set of 17" wheels.. i know there not bent.

i did my own alignment on my mk2, and it drives better than my old mk2 that had the front end professionally aligned..

[CRSMP5]

one day im going to build and mass produce the toe bar my father has used since the 70s... and a camber gauge to match..

but for camber.. a angle finder from home depot... will work.. then tape measure for toe.. OR if you wanna have a little fun... a shower curtain rod.. springgy kind.. stuck at same spot inside the tires (height from ground has to be same too on each side).. then car rolled forward with out knocking it out of place.. and use the springgy middle where the 2 shrink into place for a measurement..