I'm going to replace my drag link. Do you think I'll need an alignment after? If I measure for the knuckle to the tie rod hole and it's he same length should I be fine without an alignment?

 

Unless you think your more accurate than a alignment machine

 

We can only adjust toe, I personally think it's kinda pointless to take it to a shop. I do all mine with a tape measure and a extra set of hands. Should be toed in 1/16 to 1/8 in

 

Me as well. I refuse to pay $60 at a shop when I do it free at home

 

As long as you don't touch the tie rod adjuster sleeve by the driver side knuckle, the alignment shouldn't change

 

I know you can toe but you can still have one off aligned somewhat. If it's been aligned a couple months ago. Wouldn't it be ok if those holes on the dragging were exactly the same? The math seems to be right. I would still align it myself to make sure though

 

Anytime I do any frontend work I have the alignment checked by a shop. This is for all my stock cars/trucks/SUV's/Vans but learned they do not do a great job on modified lifted XJ's for sure.


Except for my XJ then I take it to the Jeep 4x4 Shop to do it and he does not have a machine, his eyes and a tape measure. I went that the other route one other time after I had it lifted the last time and all they did was screw it all up and took it back to the 4x4 shop to do it right. This guy has been doing Jeeps for over 25 yrs and even custom builds full tube frame Crawlers.


For those that don't I understand not wanting to spend the money for that on there XJ's and if they have the knowledge to do it themselves properly (I wish I did and trust I did it right) that's great.

 

Man it is sooo easy I can't even begin to explain the lack of difficulty. Find & mark the center line of the tire at the same height on the front and back of the tire, Take measurement, the front should be toe'd in 1/16" to 1/8", If it is not, loosen the 2 clamps, and turn the tie rod accordingly, once you've got it where it needs to be tighten the clamps. doing this adjustment will likely throw your steering wheel off center, process is pretty much the same just on the drag link, Loosen the 2 clamps, turn till the steering wheel is straight, have someone hold the wheel straight until you tighten the clamps. DONE! this literally took longer to type this than it does for me to align my jeep.

And trust me, if you did it wrong youll know pretty quick.

 

^^ anybody can do it

there is literally nothing to adjust on these things except toe

 

Last time I used some aluminum channel from an old sliding glass door and some bailing wire.

I took care to only apply light pressure at the center of the bar.....

 

I know it doesn't take long for him to do it either, I'm sure that I could at least do it in 4 times as long as he does. But for $25 I get look around at all the new stuff and BS with then for a while and hell I always learn something while I'm there I didn't know before.


I did have to do a little work on a bent drag link before on the trail and had to do an alignment to get it home but it was not all that great.

 

Alignment 'printouts' are free! Just tell them you do not want any adjustments made. Do the alignment yourself first, then get a printout. This gives laser data to compare to your angle finder and tape measure.

 

A lot of places charge at least half price just to check the alignment. Which is stupid.

 

They must have found us out,lol. I used Tread Quarters since they will not be making any adjustments..

 

Yeah for 25 bucks that ain't bad. But around here you wont find an alignment under 80. And trust me I've questioned why its soo much to just adjust toe.