Rough measurement to start with "toe" on a '32 front end

[Tim Ayers]

I'll cleaned, rebuilt and painted my tie rod and drag link. While putting it back together, what is a good rough measurement for setting toe before the car gets aligned?

I'll be driving it around to sort out before it gets to the alignment shop.

Thanks, all

[Mart]

Between 1/16" and 1/8".

That'll get you down the road.

[DavidG]

Per page 32 of the July, 1932 Service Bulletin, the toe-in should be 1/32" to 3/32".

[Mart]

Thanks David, I was just guessing.

[Tim Ayers]

Thank you.

[KGS]

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Tim, Are going to use bias ply or radial tires?

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by KGS

Tim, Are going to use bias ply or radial tires?

Bias ply

[Kube]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Per page 32 of the July, 1932 Service Bulletin, the toe-in should be 1/32" to 3/32".

I tend to set my "drivers" at 1/8". Yeah 1/32" more than the maximum specified. Makes the car noticeably easier to steer. Also, the front wheels tend to go back to "straight" easier and stay "straight" as well.
I suppose the tires will wear a tad quicker with a 1/8" toe, but in reality, they will rot before wearing out.

[Mart]

Do you mean 1/4" Kube, or 1/8"? That'd be 1/32 over max spec?????????

[DavidG]

No doubt a typo, but 1/4" is 5/32" more than 3/32".

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Mart

Do you mean 1/4" Kube, or 1/8"? That'd be 1/32 over max spec?????????

Sorry, major brain fart.
1/8"

[PeteVS]

I've set toe in early on when putting a front end together. Before putting the backing plates on the spindles, I bolt a pair of angle irons onto the spindle surfaces that the backing plates mount to. Their length approximates the OD of the front tires. Makes it very easy to set the toe in with a tape measure.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by PeteVS

I've set toe in early on when putting a front end together. Before putting the backing plates on the spindles, I bolt a pair of angle irons onto the spindle surfaces that the backing plates mount to. Their length approximates the OD of the front tires. Makes it very easy to set the toe in with a tape measure.

Ah, great idea. I can still do that. Thanks for the tip!

[rotorwrench]

The old Ford axles are a lot more flexible than a lot of folks might think. They will flex back a bit with the pressure of the roadway. It depends on how fast a person normally drives and the condition of the roadway. The type of tire carcass may have a small affect but I haven't heard of too many folks adjusting their straight axle front ends a lot for a change over to radial type tires.

[earlyride]

When you set up toe in/toe out it should be done with the wheels on the ground. As Rotowrench states axles flex. Just the weight of the car will move your setting considerably. I measure my toe in/out half way up the center of the tire and compare front to rear, using a gauge made up to clear the frame of the car.

[rotorwrench]

Those spring gauges are relatively easy to use and have little chains to get the floor distance the same from front to rear & side to side. They really don't cost much either.