Need advice on the "toe-in" issue

[Williep]

Have just installed the tie-rod upgrades and knuckles on my 3035 Century/(Branson) tractor. How do I check the toe-in and on which wheel do I do this?

 

[Stimw]

You always start with the steering wheel to make sure it is centered.
You want to jack up and spin both rims to make sure they run true. Then you go front and then to the back of the rims to align. Two sticks held together will work for a gauge.
Not sure what the setting is.

 

[Williep]

Thank you - will give this a try.

 

[2458n]

Maybe a 1/16 to a 1/8 inch toe-in on the leading front edge. We used to smash a couple of beer cans and put them under the front tires when doing cars back in high school- that way the weight of the car was on the ground and the tie rods could still be turned.

 

[skyhook]

It's always better to do this with the tractor on the ground,
the toe-in will change once you drop it down "if you do it on jack stands".
Find the center of the tire in the front of "both" tires with a tape measure,
then do the same for the back of the tires, like 2458n said, thats a good "difference" to have.

 

[Tx Jim]

Back when I set toe-in on frt axles while PDI tractors at JD dealership I measured between tire centers even with the spindle and set 1/8-3/16" narrower in the front than rear.

 

[Stimw]

You do always want the vehicle on the ground loading the axle when measuring.
Toe-in setting is different for front tie rod vehicles and rear tie rod vehicles. Front is pulling and rear is compressing. But I don't remember how much.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Jack a front wheel. Get a wax marker (I like yellow). Spin the wheel while drawing a reference line around the middle of the tread. Next spin the wheel and use a center punch (or something wityh an edge like a screwdriver) to make a very thin and good index mark all the way around the tire in the wax. Repeat on other side of wheel.

Now since you do not have alignment plates that allow the wheel to move around while weighted, roll the tractor forward six feet after setting the front wheels both on the ground.

With the steering wheel centered, get a helper and measure on the front side and backside of your wheels using your reference line.

Using sort of generic specs from trucks, two wheel drive, maybe an 1/8" of toe-in if everything is new and tight, a little more if loose.

Four wheel drive, zero toe-in.

 

[jimainiac]

If you have the owner's manual for the tractor, it should give the toe-in specs. If the tractor has modern hydraulic power steering like our Kubota, you don't have to worry about centering the steering wheel, because the position changes as the tractor is used.