Topic: Hi Steer Alignment

[birfection]

i just finished installing a hi steer kit on my pickup and want to know the best way of making sure the front end is well aligned. Seems to me this would be determined by the length of the tie rod(which is easily adjusted). Any tips?  (I'm running rears up front, if that helps) Thanks

[TacoRunner]

If you're trying to adjust for caster, you are either going to have to cut and rotate the knuckles or purchase shims for the leaves to adjust the as needed. As for wheel alignment put the front axle on jack stands with the tires off. Using two square bars that have been cut to match your tire size, clamp them to your rotor. Make certain the bars are centered on each rotor to mimick the tires. Then adjust the tire rod as needed for .250" tow in. Example 60 1/8" in front and 60 3/8" in back. All done. Those are numbers I made up so dont think they are what your axle will be.

[yotaneck13]

there is no set legnth to align it you need to set you steerint wheel straight ( turn it full tilt one way and count the rotations till you hit full tilt the other way now turn it back half of that and make sur its straight) then adjust your tie rod and drag link take chalk and mark the center of you tires tread one in front of the tire and one on the back ( measure from the center of one tire to the center of the other and adjust till the measurement on the front of the tire is the same as on the back) re check your steering wheel and make sure its still straight and then eye up you tires and see it they look straight forard this will get you really close then you can take it to an alignment shop and get it perfect

[yotaneck13]

or you can do it that way either way will get you close enough to get it to a shop and get it perfect

[79coyotefrg]

                                                                  ............ As for wheel alignment put the front axle on jack stands with the tires off. Using two square bars that have been cut to match your tire size, clamp them to your rotor. Make certain the bars are centered on each rotor to mimick the tires. Then adjust the tire rod as needed for .250" tow in. Example 60 1/8" in front and 60 3/8" in back. All done. Those are numbers I made up so dont think they are what your axle will be.

ive found some angle iron works best and  the sticks of whatever metal you use needs to be fairly close to your tire size like if you have 35's - 38's a pair of 36 inch bars will work fine.

OH, and you want 1/8 inch tow IN  aka .125 inch if you get to this point you have no need to go to an alignment shop since they cant adjust anything else than this on a solid axle.  if your front tire leans in (negative camber) on a solid axle rig youve either bent the axle or blown the trunion bearings.

[TacoRunner]

1/8"-1/4"

I've tried both, I prefer 1/4. but I know everybody is different.

[birfection [OP]]

There's no instructions with my hi-steer kit that says how tight to tighten the castle nuts before i put the cotter pins in. Also, i suppose the jam nuts should be tightened up against the tubing on the tie rod and drag link, but it doesn't say anything about this either. Answers?

[junya92toy]

Yes the jam nut goes against the tubing, or it wouldnt do a thing against the TRE. Tighten the castle nut as hand as you can, until the holes line up