Miata Mailing List: September 1998, Message #164

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PlanetBob replied to me privately, but I though the rest of
the list might be interested in the details too.

Look under the front end.  Near each tire the tie-rod
threads into the steering Knuckle.  The tie rod has hex
flats and there is a jam nut against the Knuckle.

To change the steering wheel alignment, you need to screw
one side out and the other in.  Make sure and do both sides
the same amount (count the flats on the hex portion), and
you will not mess up the alignment.

If you screw both sides out, you increase toe-out.
Conversely, if you screw the tie rod further into the
knuckle on both sides, you increase toe-in.

I suggest changing in 1/2 turn increments and test driving
after each adjustment.  Remember, as long as you move one
side in and the other out by the same amount, the overall
length of the tie rod stays the same and will not affect the
toe adjustment.

Take you tools (2 wrenches, I forget the sizes; 10mm? and
14mm?) with you and make these adjustments in a parking lot
or driveway as you are testing.  You don't need ramps, and
it takes less than a minute to adjust both sides.  Have fun!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: PlanetBob [mailto:ekq@valley-internet.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 5:12 PM
> To: Tom Blough
> Subject: RE: I'm seeing red dots
>
>
>
> Hi Tom,
>
> > OTOH, you might want to do it yourself instead of giving
him
> > another chance to screw up.  It only takes five minutes.
>
> How do you do this?  Is the info in the archives?  If so,
I can't find
> where.  When I do it, am I going to screw up my alignment?
> Any pointers /
> info you could give me would be great.
>
> Erik and Bluebell
> '96PEP
>
>
>
> > Tom Blough
> > tblough@snet.net
> > Avon, CT
> >
> > Do, or do not.  There is no try.
> > Yoda - noted scholar and self defense instructor.
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: miata@realbig.com [mailto:miata@realbig.com]On
> > Behalf Of Jerry
> > > Reuter
> > > Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 3:51 AM
> > > To: Multiple recipients of list
> > > Subject: RE: I'm seeing red dots
> > >
> > >
> > > Actually the tech that mounted and balanced my tires
> > couldn't
> > > read.  When he
> > > got the reading down to .25 oz he wouldn't put one on
> > because
> > > he said it was
> > > so small that I couldn't tell anyway. (true?)  On the
one
> > > tire that took
> > > 2.25 oz, I couldn't bribe him to roll it around and
try it
> > > again.  The four
> > > wheel alignment was nailed right on the specs, but
> > actually
> > > it feels like it
> > > tracked better before the alignment. The steering
wheel is
> > > off 'just a tad'
> > > and I'm not sure one tooth on the hub won't be too
much
> > > correction. (picky
> > > ain't I?)
> > > Jerry Reuter & Elf (Charleston, SC)
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From:	Paul_Williamson@csi.com
> > [mailto:Paul_Williamson@csi.com]
> > > Sent:	Monday, August 31, 1998 7:41 AM
> > > To:	Jerry Reuter
> > > Cc:	Multiple recipients of list
> > > Subject:	RE: I'm seeing red dots
> > >
> > > At 8/30/98 09:32 PM +0000, Jerry Reuter wrote:
> > > >Super find.  Thanks for the info, should be mandatory
> > reading...
> > > >	www.dunloptire.com/TCM_Vibration.html
> > > >
> > >
> > > And copies given to the tech that mounts and balances
your
> > tires!
> > >
> > >
> > > Paul
> > > Merrimack, NH
> > > Home of the 99 "Silver Screamer"
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>