Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[B Dike]

Mike,
  
  Yes, in fact you can adjust toe-in yourself much more accurately than  any 
shop equipment.  It requires a little knowledge of basic  trigonometry but it 
works every time and is very simple.  Simply  drive to a lonely flat section of 
road where you can park the car on  the edge of the road and see at least a 
quarter mile or so ahead.   Straighten the wheels.  Kneel down and sight along 
the outer edges  of the left front tire near the center of the hub and note the 
exact  point in the distance that it points at.  Do the same for the  right 
front tire.  If they point at the exact same distant object,  then the toe is 
basically zero minus a very small amount.  If the  object is a quarter mile 
away, then the toe is minus 1/4 degree.   To get minus one degree of toe, the 
right tire should point about 17  feet left of the left tire aimpoint at 1/4 
mile.   Double the  offset if your target is a half-mile away.  I find the 
procedure  to be very repeatable and extremely accurate.  People
 driving by  will look at you funny but no shop equipment will do as well.  And 
 it's actually kind of fun. You will eventually learn the precise toe  that you 
car needs as you examine tire wear pattern and handling.Bear in mind that 
camber and caster must be adjusted differently  and any changes will affect toe.
  
  When you change out the tie rods make sure you count the turns of all  the 
couplings to get things started out approximately right.   Don't pull the 
steering wheel to straighten it out.  Just  add/subtract a turn or two to each 
tie rod end accordingly.  Good  luck,
  
  Bruce

Mike Piles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Hello all

I am getting ready to change the tie rod and center link on my 1985 300SD.
Is there a way I can properly adjust the toe in my self?  Also my steering
wheel is not properly centered.  If I pull the centering plug on the gear
box and center the gear box  should the steering wheel then be centered
unless someone really screwed something up?

Thanks
Mike Piles



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Bruce
82 300CD 334kmi 'His'
85 300CD 236kmi 'Hers'
75 240D 194kmi 'Donner'
77 240D 204kmi 'Blitzen'

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[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> I wouldn't say there is something VERY wrong if you are getting at least 12 
> volts. Sure it could be weak, but I wouldn't say VERY wrong with just 12 
> volts. Yea maybe a weak diode or voltage regulator, but 12 volts is not bad. 
> As I mentioned before its not JUST volts you need its amps too and without 
> enough to allow the battery to do a complete recovery during a charging cycle 
> then I would say there is something very wrong 

You will NOT charge a 12.6 V battery with 12 V from the alternator. It 
takes something above 13. If you're not getting 13.5 V from a Bosch 
alternator at low load at idle, SOMETHING isn't working as it should work!

Marshall
-- 
 

Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[Harry Watkins]

Mike

Take a look at this site for DIY alignment.  It sounds like he my know what
he's doing but who knows.

Let us know.

http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/amc/align.htm

Harry Watkins
Newton, MS
86 SDL Silver
85 300D Euro
86 SDL Gold
81 240D manual trans


- Original Message - 
From: "Mike Piles" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment


> I was planning on making one,  the procedure as I envision it would be to
> scribe a line down the middle of each of the front tires and measure the
> distance between the lines on the front of the tire and on the rear of the
> tire, the difference being the toe in.  The only thing tat I am concerned
> about is that it would be possible to get the measurements correct between
> the tires but yet have the toe set incorrectly by having the distance from
> the centerline of the car different on the two sides of the car.  For
> example for discussion sake lets say the total toe in is to be 1/4 inch.
> Assuming 1/8 inch toe on each side. It would be theoretically possible to
> set the toe on one side as 0" and on the other side to 1/4"  If I'm all
wet
> or if anyone has any experience or ideas please clue me in.
>
>

Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[M.Affzaal.Khan]

Measure the distance (at hub height) between the  front side of the wheels
and then the rear side. If one can get them to same length size then we have
a  zero toe-in.   safe to get you to the wheel  alignment shop.
regards
mak


> unless you have a tool to measure the distance between the front wheels to
get the factory toe in specs its best to have a alignment shop do that for
you
>
> 69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles
> 72 350SL   108,000 Miles
> 2004 VW Passat 4 Motion
> 1999 Mazda Miata
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Mike Piles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: Mercedes mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Sat, 12 Nov 2005 21:06:55 -0600
> Subject: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment
>
>
> Hello all
>
> I am getting ready to change the tie rod and center link on my 1985 300SD.
> Is there a way I can properly adjust the toe in my self?  Also my steering
> wheel is not properly centered.  If I pull the centering plug on the gear
> box and center the gear box  should the steering wheel then be centered
> unless someone really screwed something up?
>
> Thanks
> Mike Piles
>
>
>
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> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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> http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
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Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[M.Affzaal.Khan]

Measure the distance (at hub height) between the  front side of the wheels
and then the rear side. If one can get them to same length size then we have
a  zero toe-in.   safe to get you to the wheel  alignment shop.
regards
mak


> unless you have a tool to measure the distance between the front wheels to
get the factory toe in specs its best to have a alignment shop do that for
you
>
> 69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles
> 72 350SL   108,000 Miles
> 2004 VW Passat 4 Motion
> 1999 Mazda Miata
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Mike Piles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: Mercedes mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Sat, 12 Nov 2005 21:06:55 -0600
> Subject: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment
>
>
> Hello all
>
> I am getting ready to change the tie rod and center link on my 1985 300SD.
> Is there a way I can properly adjust the toe in my self?  Also my steering
> wheel is not properly centered.  If I pull the centering plug on the gear
> box and center the gear box  should the steering wheel then be centered
> unless someone really screwed something up?
>
> Thanks
> Mike Piles
>
>
>
> ___
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
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> Try the New Netscape Mail Today!
> Virtually Spam-Free | More Storage | Import Your Contact List
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>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
>

Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[Mike Piles]

If I can get toe adjusted for $35.00 I'll probably do that.  I didn't want
to pay for a whole alignment It was aligned last year and the parts I'm
changing will not affect the Caster/Camber. For a spreader bar I was
thinking about using one of those adjustable bars that they use to secure a
load in the back of a truck.

Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[Peter Frederick]

You will also need to make a spreader bar, the tires MUST be pre-loaded 
outward or the toe will be incorrect while driving.  This will eat 
tires and make it drive badly.  Only a small error causes big trouble.


It will be much cheaper and easier to get it close and drive it to a 
good alignment shop that knows how to do Mercedes -- they are NOT like 
american cars.  There is quite a bit of caster (8 degrees or so), so 
toe is critical and should be set on a computerized machine, not by 
measuring the centerline distance.  I doubt if you will get close 
enough to satisfy you.


My tire shop charges $35 for a two wheel alignment -- kinda stupid for 
me to attempt it.  I get the new tie rods as close to the old ones in 
length as possible, adjust so that it doesn't pull either way, and go 
to the shop.


Peter

Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[Nick Wellinghoff]

One would think it would be wiser to set the toe in the same on each side.

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Mike Piles
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 11:01 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

I was planning on making one,  the procedure as I envision it would be to
scribe a line down the middle of each of the front tires and measure the
distance between the lines on the front of the tire and on the rear of the
tire, the difference being the toe in.  The only thing tat I am concerned
about is that it would be possible to get the measurements correct between
the tires but yet have the toe set incorrectly by having the distance from
the centerline of the car different on the two sides of the car.  For
example for discussion sake lets say the total toe in is to be 1/4 inch.
Assuming 1/8 inch toe on each side. It would be theoretically possible to
set the toe on one side as 0" and on the other side to 1/4"  If I'm all wet
or if anyone has any experience or ideas please clue me in.

Thanks
Mike Piles
1985 300 SD
2000 VW Jetta TDI
  -Original Message-
  From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 9:28 PM
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Subject: Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment


  unless you have a tool to measure the distance between the front wheels to
get the factory toe in specs its best to have a alignment shop do that for
you

  69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles
  72 350SL   108,000 Miles
  2004 VW Passat 4 Motion
  1999 Mazda Miata


  -Original Message-
  From: Mike Piles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  To: Mercedes mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  Sent: Sat, 12 Nov 2005 21:06:55 -0600
  Subject: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment


Hello all

I am getting ready to change the tie rod and center link on my 1985 300SD.
Is there a way I can properly adjust the toe in my self?  Also my steering
wheel is not properly centered.  If I pull the centering plug on the gear
box and center the gear box  should the steering wheel then be centered
unless someone really screwed something up?

Thanks
Mike Piles



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Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[Mike Piles]

I was planning on making one,  the procedure as I envision it would be to
scribe a line down the middle of each of the front tires and measure the
distance between the lines on the front of the tire and on the rear of the
tire, the difference being the toe in.  The only thing tat I am concerned
about is that it would be possible to get the measurements correct between
the tires but yet have the toe set incorrectly by having the distance from
the centerline of the car different on the two sides of the car.  For
example for discussion sake lets say the total toe in is to be 1/4 inch.
Assuming 1/8 inch toe on each side. It would be theoretically possible to
set the toe on one side as 0" and on the other side to 1/4"  If I'm all wet
or if anyone has any experience or ideas please clue me in.

Thanks
Mike Piles
1985 300 SD
2000 VW Jetta TDI
  -Original Message-
  From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 9:28 PM
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Subject: Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment


  unless you have a tool to measure the distance between the front wheels to
get the factory toe in specs its best to have a alignment shop do that for
you

  69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles
  72 350SL   108,000 Miles
  2004 VW Passat 4 Motion
  1999 Mazda Miata


  -Original Message-
  From: Mike Piles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  To: Mercedes mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  Sent: Sat, 12 Nov 2005 21:06:55 -0600
  Subject: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment


Hello all

I am getting ready to change the tie rod and center link on my 1985 300SD.
Is there a way I can properly adjust the toe in my self?  Also my steering
wheel is not properly centered.  If I pull the centering plug on the gear
box and center the gear box  should the steering wheel then be centered
unless someone really screwed something up?

Thanks
Mike Piles



___
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For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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Re: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[mykd1]

unless you have a tool to measure the distance between the front wheels to get 
the factory toe in specs its best to have a alignment shop do that for you 
 
69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles
72 350SL   108,000 Miles
2004 VW Passat 4 Motion
1999 Mazda Miata   
 
 
-Original Message-
From: Mike Piles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Mercedes mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sat, 12 Nov 2005 21:06:55 -0600
Subject: [MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment


Hello all

I am getting ready to change the tie rod and center link on my 1985 300SD.
Is there a way I can properly adjust the toe in my self?  Also my steering
wheel is not properly centered.  If I pull the centering plug on the gear
box and center the gear box  should the steering wheel then be centered
unless someone really screwed something up?

Thanks
Mike Piles



___
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For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
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[MBZ] DIY toe in adjustment

[Mike Piles]

Hello all

I am getting ready to change the tie rod and center link on my 1985 300SD.
Is there a way I can properly adjust the toe in my self?  Also my steering
wheel is not properly centered.  If I pull the centering plug on the gear
box and center the gear box  should the steering wheel then be centered
unless someone really screwed something up?

Thanks
Mike Piles