How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ
- Thread starter Jerry Bransford
- Start date
Technically yes, but the bulge will be the same on both sides if your air pressures are the same. Make sure you check your air pressures. You are not making a specific measurement, you are measuring that the back measurement is 1/16th to 1/8 wider than the front. Everybody's numbers will be different. You just want it slightly wider in the rear than the front.
Does that make sense?
Honestly when I used to align my YJ I always made it toe in 1/4 inch, I was surprised that it was even closer on the TJ. And thinking about it I am not sure I ever knew the correct spec on the YJ which could have been 1/16 but I always did a 1/4 and still had no issues. What I am saying is it is not precise. You can be off and still be good to go. Think about if you go to the alignment shop who charges you an arm and a leg to aline your toe. then the first time you go off of a curb or hit a speed bump too hard or even go 4 wheeling, do you take it back to get re-aligned? No you will drive on it slightly off and wont even know it even it if is a 1/4 inch off.
As long as your Jeep drives straight and you keep your tire pressures up, and you rotate them like you are supposed to you wont even notice if the front end is slightly off.
Chances are if you use the toe plates or the bar method as described in the beginning of this tread, I bet if you take it in to get it aligned it will be close. I have never paid for a front end alignment on any of my straight axle 4x4s.
I know this is a long winded reply, but I wanted you to understand why I make my suggestion.
Lastly if you learn how to align your Jeep yourself, then you don't have to pay 70 bucks after you go wheeling or hit a speed bump too hard. After a while you can do it super quickly. Especially if you use the tow plates because you don't even have to pull the tires nor jack it up.
Here is what I do. I lay the tow plates tight up against each tire then I lean a jack stand against each toe plate then I put a tape measure on both sides and pull them tight and read the numbers then I adjust if necessary then re-check till I get it right. Usually takes to times of adjustments, then I tighten them up and re-check. If it is good. I kind of eye the steering wheel then try and adjust it. Then I go drive it and see how far off the wheel is. Usually I am close and it takes me 3 test drives to get it right. Honestly I am more critical with the wheel adjustment than I am with the tie rod adjustment.
I hope I answered your question
Yeah, but you are actually pushing or pulling them with a threaded long bar halfway up the tire. You are actually not changing the adjustment on the full weight of the Jeep. Once you do it, you will see it is not really that hard. Most of us on here do this ourselves, and we are all willing to help.
Earlier in this thread, I believe, I did the adjustment with the bars clamped to the brake rotors then I wrapped it up, and drove the jeep around for a couple days then brought it back into the garage in the same spot and rechecked it with the toe plates and it was still at the 1/8 measurement.
If you feel comfortable one way or the other is fine. The aluminum bars you can get at Home depot for like 10 bucks then you only need two tape measures. Well you an do it with one, but two are definitely easier. So really you can do it for 10 bucks, and some work. The toe plates do come with tapes, but the tool is 60 bucks. For me it is cheap, and it pays for itself the second time you use it. I am not saying either is better because i got the same results with both. but I personally prefer the plates for speed.
But just to reiterate it is not hard to make the adjustments with the it on the floor.
Pipe wrench, and let the pb blaster soak for a while. Keep trying you will get it. Worse comes to worse might be time to upgrade or replace it.
It’s always 1/16”. The purpose for the slight toe in is the friction on the road forces the tire out (when moving forward), so you’re tire is actually at 0” toe in motion. Factory specification is 0.25* I believe.
I used to toe my YJ at .25, but since everybody is adamant about the 1/16th here I have since changed my ways. BTW Always ran BFG M/T's on my YJ and never had wear issues at .25. I also have dropped my air pressure from 32 to 26 since being on this forum. See, old dogs can learn new tricks.
Thank you. I think I just over thought it since I keep seeing “1/16”-1/8” for your 33s”. It’s not that it’s a measurement that is unique to 33s, it’s the factory spec and tire size doesn’t matter. The “for your 33s” was just referencing that that the person had 33s. I hope that makes sense.
MountaineerTom
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This method works great. I followed it back in May after I installed my lift.
I still stand by my post. I usually measure from the front center of the each tire to the rear center of each tire, and if we were within a quarter inch I straightened the steering wheel and called it good. I have never had an issue with a 1/4 inch. It is just that everybody is so adamant on this forum to be 1/16th, and be a little more critical, that I started doing it like this thread. It has worked out great for me.
I am pretty new to this 4 link suspension, so I don't have enough information to argue with it, so I just followed suit. My way will probably be fine too, but since it is just as easy to do it the TJ forum way and everybody says it works, it is just easy enough for me to comply, and so far it has worked brilliantly.
I've been researching your original question a bit and I'm not sure anymore. It seems that tire diameter is part of what is supposed to be taken into consideration when aligning a vehicle. I don't have time to go into it now, but here's a link to read if you want to consider...In the end I don't know if it matters since 1/16" is working for everyone
https://robrobinette.com/ConvertToeInchesToDegrees.htm
Thanks to a link here, I looked up the factory specs. This says .15 degrees for each front wheel, which I assume if looking at an alignment sheet would show .30 degrees?
Or am I just confused again?
Looking at that sheet I’d say that’s correct, total toe in of 0.30*