poor mileage, no other symptoms

[dlb]

i was actually just reading the FSM on this because i'm sure that with just a bit more information i could do the job myself. i also hate the idea of paying someone excessive $$$ to do stuff that i could handle.

so it looks like the best way to get things back to or close to spec is to simply make sure that the distance from a point on the inner tie rods to the outer tie rods' stud is equal on both sides. i imagine i would do that, then re-check using keith's 2x4 method to verify that things are good, and adjust as necessary from there. is that correct?

[takza]

Too much variation measuring there? The 2x4 method = the string method except the string method measures at hub height for more accuracy....but the 2x4 method would be the easiest way to get a fairly accurate idea of your toe setting. After all it's just a 2x4 and a straight edge. If you use the string method...the center of your wheels cannot sit out farther than the sidewalls of your tires.

[dlb]

hmmm. my concern is that i don't know if both wheels are toed out a bit, or if one is far more out than the other, a bit of both, etc. i think getting the steering wheel straight and then going from there is a big approximation due to the fact that with poor alignment the car will travel straight when the tires are not necessarily pointed equally forward. i think it would be fine for smaller toe in/out discrepancies but since mine is so far out, i first want to find out what each side is doing, then get it back in the ballpark of straight, and then use the 2x4 to fine tune it.

i should be doing this this afternoon so i'll post the results.