Need a Front end Alignment Shops say they cant do it?
#1
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Need a Front end Alignment Shops say they cant do it?
They say because of the lift they cant align it..so what are you guys with 6+" of lift doing? my front tires are feathering...the toe-in isnt right. Something needs to be done.
#2
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just search for DIY alignment. I do my own by measuring the inside of one tire to the inside of the other tire, then measure the back the same way. There is an adjusting sleeve on the tie rod. Loosen up the 2 bolts then turn the center of the sleeve. If you got a 242 then you want the front and back to be 0. If you got a 231 the you want the front to be 1/8" shorter. But there is a couple of people that have did full detailed writeup's on this google should give you good ideas.
#3
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Year: 1991
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Engine: 4.0 I6
They can do the alignment they just don't want to. Check other shops. I take mine to the local Firestone and never have an issue. I just have then adjust my toe in. Nothing more. They can adjust the cast but only so much.
#4
X2 - any alignment shop should be able to adjust at least toe in, if you have adjustable control arms caster is a snap to adjust too. Try to stay away from the chain stores, they typically pay low and hire morons.
#5
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X2 Some places are afraid to touch stuff thats been moded or after market. just look around. As for me I did my alighnment myself to adjust the wheelbase and the toe and it came out almost perfect.
#7
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any xj with a lift kit can be aligned, they're feeding you a line of bs. the only thing that cant be adjusted is camber. unless you buy adjustable ball joints
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#8
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As everyone else has said, find a different shop. Wheel alignment is the same whether it's stock height or lifted.
That said, if you want to adjust toe-in it can be done dang close with a tape measure (temporary until you find a good alignment shop). 1)Take a short piece of wood & drive a good size nail through it. 2) Jack up the front wheels til they are about 1/2" off the ground. 3) Hold the wood with the nail against the center (centre if you're in the UK. Just kidding!) of the tire(tyre if you're in the UK. Again, just kidding!) & rotate the tire to scribe a line around the tire. 4) Repeat for other tire. 5) Measure between front and rear scribe line to determine/adjust toe-in.
What this does is give you an accurate reference point for your measurements vs using the tire tread blocks, which is not the most accurate point to measure from.
Hope this helps.
Jim S
P.S. The above UK references are for humor only! Been spending too much time reading the service manual for the Triumph Tiger I'm restoring!
That said, if you want to adjust toe-in it can be done dang close with a tape measure (temporary until you find a good alignment shop). 1)Take a short piece of wood & drive a good size nail through it. 2) Jack up the front wheels til they are about 1/2" off the ground. 3) Hold the wood with the nail against the center (centre if you're in the UK. Just kidding!) of the tire(tyre if you're in the UK. Again, just kidding!) & rotate the tire to scribe a line around the tire. 4) Repeat for other tire. 5) Measure between front and rear scribe line to determine/adjust toe-in.
What this does is give you an accurate reference point for your measurements vs using the tire tread blocks, which is not the most accurate point to measure from.
Hope this helps.
Jim S
P.S. The above UK references are for humor only! Been spending too much time reading the service manual for the Triumph Tiger I'm restoring!
Last edited by Catmechanic; 03-27-2010 at 09:27 PM. Reason: Add PS
#9
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i know it's scary to think about aligning the front end yourself, but once you start doing it, you will see how easy and simple it is. even if you will need caster-camber bushings, which you shouldn't.
#10
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i just went to the tire shop that i do buisness with and asked for some rack time if they would set up the machine i would do the wrench work they should come back later and so i did, i put my xj on the rack they setup the alignment machine and told me what was out and i watched the computer screen and did the work myself but i did go ahead and pay them for the rack time cost me 50.00 but was well worth it anytime i nock mine out i come in when it's slow and i get rack time 90% of the time for free. but i do alot buisness with them.
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