Wheel alignment on Dayton style hubs

[Full Floater]

Aside from a tape measure, from inside of rim to inside of opposite rim, or from some point on the hub, is there any more "accurate" way to align a dayton hub truck at home?  I've always been pretty close with a tape, but with todays tire costs, i'd like to do a little better yet.

[Geoff Weeks]

1st, make sure the tires and rims are on with minimum run-out.

Use a trammel bar and scribe to mark each tire at as near the center as possible at the highest point you can across the front or the tire, and take the measurement, or lock the trammel bar and the rotate to the back and check the difference. you can use anything to mark the tire, but the smaller the mark the more accuracy in the measurement.

No difference for disk or spokes.

[mowerman]

That’s all out shop used to do tow in and most cases the truck would go nice and straight down the road…. Good luck.. bob

[mowerman]

I’d make sure your tires are not wobbling first lol bob

[Joey Mack]

I too have done it the way G.W. has described. Id like to add 1 thing..  I use the 1'' line and not the loosY-goosY thing on the end of the tape measure.  just keep in mind you are 1'' short..  I find it to be quite accurate..  It helps to have a freind with good eyes and a steady hand..  

Edited March 24 by Joey Mack
Pour sperring

[Full Floater]

Thank you fellas.  

[Joey Mack]

🍻

[glenbjackson]

setup is important tooo...... roll forward straight one-two truck lengths and roll to a stop without using brakes. and proper tire pressure!! 

Edited Thursday at 08:55 AM by glenbjackson

[Geoff Weeks]

I did it with the wheels off the ground, blocks under the axle at the springs. That way the tires can be rotated without moving the truck.

What is important is the difference in measurement between the scribe marks on the tire  when the scribe marks are in front of the axle vs. behind the axle.

easier to do with the weight off the tires.

[glenbjackson]

  On 3/27/2025 at 4:12 PM, Geoff Weeks said:

I did it with the wheels off the ground, blocks under the axle at the springs. That way the tires can be rotated without moving the truck.

What is important is the difference in measurement between the scribe marks on the tire  when the scribe marks are in front of the axle vs. behind the axle.

easier to do with the weight off the tires.

Expand  

i do agree......to mount the rims and remove the runout of the rim on the spoked hub, I'd jack up each wheelend. although once mounted and aligning from side to side(toe in/out or axle/tandem alignment) you might want to measure as the truck is driven. with weight on bearings/linkage/springs and without brakes influencing the bearings.

PS while test driving please dont forget you WILL/should drift to the right, albeit very slowly even on a straight and level stretch!! that is the road design(drainage/safety), not your truck.

Edited Saturday at 04:28 AM by glenbjackson

[Geoff Weeks]

Toe shouldn't be set before "loose parts" are corrected, Setting toe when parts can move about is pointless, trying to set while in "operational" (tires on the ground) but can still move due to loose bearings is no more accurate, as tires can shift.

Take care of tie rods, king pin and wheel bearings before setting toe, KPA shouldn''t change unless the wedges under the spring seat are removed, spring eye pins must be dealt with if they are worn 1st.