John, let me suggest an alternative.
Place a piece of masking tape in the front across the tread of each tire at
axle level. Make up a stick long enough to reach across both tires with 2
long spikes, 8-10 inches long, at approx the center points of each tire.
Drill a hole in the stick for each spike so they fit snugly when inserted.
Have one person hold one spike into the taped tread on one side and you make
a mark on the tape on the other side.
Roll the car back or forward until the tapes are at axle level on the back.
Have helper hold his spike in the same place in the tread and use your spike
to see where the pointer is now on your side. Determine the amount of toe
from where the pointer is relative to the mark you made. Use the center rod
to change the toe and then repeat the above until you get the desired toe.
See separate email reply about the amount.
Keith Pennell
> I have a question regarding wheel alignment specs.
>
> Today I did a manual check of my Healey's front wheel alignment in my
garage.
> The wheels/steering were pointing straight forward. My tires tread has a
> center grove. Here is the procedure I used.
> 1.. Using a plumb-bob hung from the tire tread center grove, I marked
points
> on the garage floor at the front and rear centers of both front tires.
The
> distance between the front and rear-of-tire measurements was 25.3", my
tire
> diameter.
> 2.. I then measured the distance between the front-of-tire points (front
> distance) and the rear-of-tire points (rear distance).
> 3.. I then subtracted the front distance from the rear distance which
turned
> out to be 5/16".
> 4.. I repeated steps 1. through 3. after rolling the car about 1/2 the
tire
> circumference forward to average any tire/wheel untrueness. The
difference
> was again 5/16".
> 5.. I also similarly measured distances at the front and rear points of
the
> wire wheel rim edges and calculated the difference, which turned out to a
> toe-in of 3/16". The distance between the front and rear wheel rim edge
> points was 16" (as contrast 25.3" distance for the 5/16" toe-in
measurement).
> So my question is: when the Workshop Manual says the toe-in should be
1/16",
> what is the distance they use between the front and rear measured points?
> Tire diameter? Wheel diameter? Other?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Vrooom vrooom,
> John
> 100-Six Erika the Red
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