Tires that are not properly inflated may actually be the cause of your performance issues, so it’s a good idea to check this first. You may not need to do anything else. Additionally, having your tires inflated properly is important for getting accurate reads on the measurements you’ll be taking later.
Write these numbers down. You may not know what these numbers mean yet, but don’t worry, this will be explained in parts 2 and 3. For now, just make sure you transcribe them accurately.
Drive the car onto a flat area, jack up the front end, and place the car on jack stands. Make sure the steering wheel is unlocked. The easiest way to check the suspension once the car is lifted is to grip each wheel and shake it, both horizontally and vertically. If you don’t feel much movement, your suspension is probably in good shape. If not, this may be the source of your problem. [1] X Research source If the suspension is loose, you must replace any worn parts. This could include bad ball joints, rack, bushings, gear boxes, tie rod ends, or steering pads. Unless you have experience doing suspension work, you will probably need to take your car to a professional mechanic.
Toe is the source of most alignment problems, and the easiest to correct yourself. [4] X Research source
If there is no area on the tire where the tread is flat, you may need to suspend your marking tool with a clamp or similar stabilizer. [5] X Research source
As long as you use string or wire that does not stretch, you can get a very accurate measurement this way. [6] X Research source
Rear toe is also important for control and tire life. It is also important to have your front and rear wheels aligned with one another (e. g. parallel). [8] X Research source You can measure your rear toe similarly to the front. If your rear toe is out of alignment, you may need to see a professional mechanic. Rear toe should be adjusted before front toe, so if you find a problem with the rear, don’t waste time adjusting the front yourself. [9] X Research source
Repeat with the other front wheel. The two wheels should be about the same and within the range specified by your manual. If not, your camber may need alignment. Repeat the process in the back. If you think the camber is off, move your car forward or backward enough to spin the tires half a turn, then try measuring again. [12] X Research source Problems with camber, front or rear, can affect how your car handles. [13] X Research source . At the same time, however, unless your car has been in a serious accident, it is unlikely that your camber will be seriously out of alignment. [14] X Research source If your camber does need to be corrected, it should be done before adjusting the toe. [15] X Research source Camber cannot typically be corrected at home with ordinary tools,[16] X Research source and indeed, for some cars it cannot be adjusted at all without bending or replacing major parts. [17] X Research source Unless you have experience with automotive repair and professional tools, do not try to adjust this yourself.
It’s a good idea to look at your car’s manual and/or at some pictures on the internet to get a sense of what tie rod ends look like and where exactly they are located on your specific car.
Be aware that on some vehicles, the driver’s side lock nut may be threaded counterclockwise, while the passenger side is threaded clockwise. [18] X Research source Depending on your steering system, there may also be a clamp that needs to be removed at each end to make sure the bellows boot is not sticking to the inner tie rod. [19] X Research source Consult your manual for details. If it has been a long time since you had an alignment, the threaded parts may be stubborn and require some lubrication, such as WD40, in order to make them turn.
If you have rack and pinion steering, you should turn the inner tie rod itself. Spinning the rod will adjust the toe in or out. [20] X Research source If you have a parallelogram linkage system, there will be adjusting sleeves that you can turn to adjust your toe. These sleeves can be damaged by this process, so be careful. There are special tools for rotating tie rods which can prevent damage. [21] X Research source Whichever system you have, make sure to keep in mind that the change you are making to the toe will be distributed across two wheels. Each tie rod should be adjusted 1/2 of the total desired amount of change in or out.
Unless you are well practiced at this, there may be a certain amount of trial and error to get this right.
If your alignment problems persist, you may have a problem that requires a professional mechanic.
