[mikkelrev69]

After replacing suspension parts I had the car at a sertified garage for wheel alignment. I was in the garage when they did the job and I noticed they didn't use the spreader to put between the front of the front wheels when they did the toe in. I asked them why not and just got the answer they didn't have a spreader at all. Actually how important is it to use the spreader? How much impact do the spreader have on a fairly tight front end? Anyone know aprox how much difference in degrees with and without using the spreader? The steering wheel now is turning slightly to the right when driving straight ahead and I'm thinking about maybe correcting this my self by ever so slightly encreasing the toe in on the left wheel and at the same time compensate for the garage not using the spreader at the alignment.. I would think turning the tie rod 30 degrees would not be far off..

 

[sbaert]

Alignment requires the suspension to be under load, hence the need for the spreader bar.

You will not be able to just "guess" at the correct settings without the proper equipment.

 

[mikeym]

I have called many shops around here including the dealer and the ones recommended by MB pros. Most of them know about the use of the spreader bar but either don't have the equipment or say that modern equipment is able to compensate for it. I am taking my car for an alignment later this week, will see how it goes....

 

[mikkelrev69]

I know wheel alignement isn't guess work and I do not advocate to just guess. But I'm in a sort of dilemma since I was stupid enough to accept the alignement job and now wanting to correct my steering wheel angle just so. I can't imagine it would do much harm to slightly adjust my left tie rod 1/12 of turn more toe in to compensate and I was curious if someone have the experience of measure toe in with and without the spreader bar.

I'm fully aware of the spreader bar's mission(!) I'm not trying to wildly guess the correct settings either. The car is properly aligned except for the slight impact the spreading bar would have on the toe in. The spreader bar is supposed to spread with 90-110 N force (aprox.10 Kg/22lb) which actually is not a lot).

Anyone know how many degrees lets say 1/4 of a turn on one of the tie rods would translate to?

 

[LeftCoastGeek]

you can do tow-in adjustments with a tape measure, chalk, on a flat level parking pad.