How to Set the Rear Toe

How to Set the Rear Toe thumbnail
Even the slightest change in toe settings can mean the difference between first and second place.

When it comes to automotive alignment, the three primary measurements involve the caster, the camber and the toe. The toe refers to the angle of a tire's leading edges: for example, if leading edges of a pair of tires point toward each other, those wheels are "toe-in" -- imagine standing with your toes inward, facing each other. If the leading edges point in the other direction, the wheels are "toe-out." "Toe-in" tires have greater stability than even tires that point directly straight ahead, while "toe-out" tires give the driver more steering control, which is particularly attractive to racecar drivers. If your car has four-wheel independent suspension, you'll need to set front and rear toe.

Things You'll Need

  • Alignment rack
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Breaker bar
  • Lubricant spray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise the car on an alignment rack, if possible. This will maximize the precision of your adjustments. If you don't have access to a rack but want to try this at home, you can access the adjustment point by crawling under the car.

    • 2

      Spray car lubricant onto the eccentrics resting on the brace over the rear sway bar. These two eccentrics control the adjustment for the rear toe on their side of the car. Depending on the make and model of your car, these may have lock nuts on them. If so, loosen them first.

    • 3

      Use the breaker bar, if necessary, to loosen the eccentric bolt heads. If they turn easily with your adjustable wrench, then loosen them that way. Once it's loose, you can turn the bolt to adjust the rear toe for each tire.

    • 4

      Tighten the lock nut with your adjustable wrench once the eccentric bolt is in the desired location -- which means your car's alignment is where you want it.

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References

  • Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

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