1993 Ford Tempo alignement work on Tempo?

DANNYR2009

MEMBER
1993 FORD TEMPO
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

If I go and ask for an alignement in a shop because my tire get used badly, what will they adjust exactly?

I've changed tierod end, struts, coil spring, ball joints on that car and I did put it in pieces already and I everything seem to be fixed with no adjustment other than the tierod end, am I right?

I just want to know if I can save 80 bucks, knowing that it's.A simple task.

Thanks all

Dan

7 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

HI there, there are adjustments that can be made with frame mount sand strut attach points, you should go get the alignment checked as if it is out your tyre wear will be excessive, even if it is just the toe adjustment, this does need to be checked with the alignment machine.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Friday, December 11th, 2009 AT 5:25 PM

FIXITMR

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Tie rod ends are the ONLY factory provided adjustment for tempos/topaz! I've been dealing with my family cars(tempos) for years and have found if I measure the tread across the front and compare with the back and set it so the front is slightly wider(1/4") I get very even tread wear. It's only when they differ by more than 1/2" that I see uneven wear. If frame is bent in accident you may be out of luck. Something is definately wrong if only 1 side shows funny wear pattern. I might ad that I actually came across a ford(contour) that would not respond to replacing parts until I realized 1 of the front bearing/strut mount/spindle was slightly BENT! They look indestructable but I guess NOT! Car had hit curb in an ice slide event! Good luck!

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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 2:43 PM

DANNYR2009

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Thanks for your reply !

I realized it when I change my summer tire for my winter one. When I remove the front tire on passenger side, I was suprised to see that about 1.5 inch on the interior side of the tire was badly used. I have changed that tire this summer, I have about 1000km on it. After the 1.5 inch, the rest of the tire is okay, the tire looks like new. I thought it must be something wrong with the alignement. So before going to call for an appointment in a garage, I thought of asking first what to adjust exactly! So you confirm that the only thing to adjust is tirod end only.

So I decided to take a look at right at front of the car to see if I can see difference of both tire when the driver side is straight. I can see that the passenger side is turning outward ! So I just unscrew the tierod end 10 times and now the tire seem to be also straight, about the same way the driver side.

What do you mean by < if I measure the tread across the front>

THanks again,

Danny

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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 5:29 PM

FIXITMR

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Actually, both tires should look slightly pointed out. It's really not possible to do a 'sight' only alignment without experience. Measure from tread groove to opposite tire tread groove across the lower front of front tiires and then make same measurement behind lower back of front tires. Try to get as high as possible without bending tape. I made up a long stick with a metal lip attached to end to catch tread groove so it makes the job easier for 1 person. I just mark with pencil on the stick and compare. Front measurement should be about 1/4" wider.
And you didn't mention inner tie rod ends? Are they ok? A bad wheel bearing can also cause wear. I always check for any front play in system by grabbing wheel when slightly off ground jacked to check for any play in front parts. Side to side and up&down.

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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 10:18 PM

MHPAUTOS

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This car is set with Toe in, see specs from Mitchell 1.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 10:40 PM

FIXITMR

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Hhmmmmm. Guess i'll try that setting and see how it works. 1/4" narrower in front! Probably wont be able to notice the diff though? With the way roads are these days and the wear and tear on other front end parts and the daily treck to work and back, your lucky to get through a year without something effecting tire wear!

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Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 3:57 AM

DANNYR2009

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I'll surely give this one a shot !

Last year I paid for an alignment on the car and after couple of months after, I changed the tierod end on the passenger side. After measuring the lengh of the new and old part, the new part was little longer ! So I still count the turn and guess the rest. After one full summer of riding. Suprise! Tire wear, bad tirewear. On that tire.

I've changed the wheel bearing couple of years ago, they are tight. Inner tierod seems tight too but never changed though.

Pretty sure the tierod was screwed too much creating a toe out on that wheel only.

I unscrewed that tierod yesterday too much(it was dark outside), creating a toe in which I realize right away after driving it 500 feet or so, it was dangerously steering left and right. So I jack it up again and screw it back 3 turns, now it's way better but not okay yet. Today I took a look, putted driver side wheel straight and I can see that the passenger side wheel is slighly inward again.(Toe in). I will screw that tierod one more turn and see what happen. Than will measure like you describe to see if I get a 0.25 inch. To confirm thing.

Thanks again mate and will tell how things goes!

Dan

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Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 4:03 PM