How to align wheels on running gear

Joe W.

Member
I am rebuilding an old Kasten running gear and thought I knew how to align the front wheels until I actually had to do it. Now I'm not sure. One wheel is 34-1/2" from the gear centerline and the other wheel is 34-1/4". I don't know which wheel is parallel to the frame. How do I do this?
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I would bolt the rims on and measure front of rim to front of other rim, then measure back of each if there is a little toe in i would call it good.

Joe
 
Clamp a 2X6 about 3 ft long to the front bottom edge of the front bolster. It should be on edge so the 5.5 dimension is flat to the ground. Use a framing square from the front edge of the 2X6 to the wheel flange to assure it is perpendicular. If you trust the center spine tube, you could also wrap a string onto a wheel stud and tape it tight to the flange. run the string rearward for 6 feet to a concrete block or?. Adjust the string so it is just touching the flange across its surface, and measure from the string to the spine. Jim
 
Ever watch a NASCAR Race? You might be surprised what you can can line up with a ruler and a ball of string,and I'll bet that wagon won't be doing 190 MPH either.
 
That's how we aligned Land Rovers except we didn't use the ruler. We ran a string around all 4 wheels and adjusted the front wheels as needed. Many times good enough is really good enough.
 
Yes, close enough is probably close enough but this won't be a farm wagon. When completed, this will be a parade wagon that will be pulled on the road to the next parade site. I'd like it to be able to run at 40 mph without bouncing or wiggling. I have a John Deere 953 that will do that. I want to give this gear every chance to run smoothly. I realize it may not happen.
 
Those measurements, are they from the hub? If so check to see that the hubs are the same one might be a replacement or from the rim see if they are the same. If they are then the axle assembly is welded wrong. Then nothing you can do about it. If hub or rim is different switch the odd one to the back.
 
Thanks for the replies. Now the distance between the front of the hubs is 68-1/16" and the distance across the back is 68-1/8. I believe that's close enough. I snugged the nuts on the tie rods and considered that job done.
 
put on the wheels making sure the rims are the same and the gear is square from front to back and the tongue is centered, use string along side the front and rear tires to check for squareness then adjust accordingly, 1/4 to 3/8 toe in is adequate
 
1/16" tow is not adequate but you cannot set tow from the hubs, it has to be from the wheels with the tires on, measure from center of tread on both tires and while you do that measure to make sure toung is also centered.
 
Thanks for the toe-in distance. My 1/16" is not enough and I'll be able to make it a little over 1/4" with the tires on.
 
I have a couple of pieces of 3/4 x 1 1/2 angle iron 30 inches long, they came off some kind of office furniture they are super hard and do not bend.

I have been using them to do alignments for decades, center is marked on them so all you need to do is put them against the hub and spin a couple of lug nuts on backward to hold them true.
The 30 inch length is close enough to the average tire height.

Much more accurate than measuring off a chewed up tire tread on a rim that may or may not be bent, set up 1/4 inch toe in with them and you are good to go.

With the bars on you will be easily able to measure the center line to know everything is parallel to the frame as well.
 

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