alignment

[1gengsxz3]

so i replaced my tie rod ends and now my car's steering is very very off how should i fix it i know i need to adjust the tie rods but any tips advice i want it enough to drive to closest alignment shop.

 

[TurboStutr]

You have to first see what angle your tires are sitting at, then get back under the car and adjust the tie rod ends accordingly. If it's not too extreme, just drive the car slowly to whatever shop you want to align it. It doesn't matter if your steering wheel is crooked, so don't worry about that...they will fix that when they do the alignment. Or if you don't feel comfortable with how it is you could always have it towed to the shop.

 

[luv2rallye]

Just get the wheels roughly parallel - should be good enough to get you to the shop. Or you can do the toe measurement, string method, second method of finding the center line explained here: http://mkiv.com/techarticles/alignment/ or here: http://www.quadesl.com/miata_alignment.html. Here's an easier one for just toe if you know the vehicle's front/rear track (which you can look up in a manual): http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1093484. Note that toe must be measured when tires are on ground (or platform so you can crawl under to adjust tie rods) with full weight and suspension released. If you had it jacked up, after putting car back on ground roll car back and forth 6' and bounce the fender up/down each front wheel to release suspension before remeasuring toe.