setting toe at home

If you must do it this way, jack up the car on a level surface. Rotate both wheels several turns while holding a pencil, a scribe or some other device in one place against the center of the tread. Lower the car and move it a bit back and forth several times to take the stress out of the suspension. Measure the difference between the mark at the back of the tire level with the axle and again in the front level with the axle. Subtract one measurement from the other. 1/2 the difference is the approximate toe. This is not as accurate as on an alignment machine.

Lugnut

On our Jeeps we use the seam in the tire and go side to side that way. It seems to work perfectly. Mine calls for 1/8" so I measure 1/4" difference from the front seam to seam to the back seam to seam with stock tires, I adjust it a bit for the oversize tires figuring the book means stock rubber.

My last set of tires wore out perfectly even using this method.

Mike

I've always done it between tire sidewall bulges halfway up the tire, back to front. That was from FoMoCo quick & easy training classes. I made myself a device out of some sticks, glue, and drywall screws that looks like a capital "C". IMO, most techs can eyeball 1/8" from a distance. Handling can confirm toe.

That's how we did the race car. For the Beretta we just did boards up against the tires - which is where I realized that if you used longer boards you could change the readings. It's close enough - I need to change a balljoint as well, but in the meantime the wife would like to be able to drive the car without needing to be turning left to stay out of the ditch. :)

Ray