Is anyone here familiar with the ghetto "string alignment" for setting toe? I changed a tie rod end and although I didn't move the lock-nut AND I counted threads I guess the new rod end was a different length because the alignment is noticeably off now. I don't really have the $40 to get it professionally done right now.
Is this method feasable for my situation. Any tips? Thanks in advanced.

 

I haven't done a lot of this, so keep looking... but I have done it on a Miata an it works just fine. I'd call it "home alignment" not ghetto - it's a very common way of doing an alignment without paying someone.

Now an f-body could have an issue. On the Miata, the outside measurement between the front wheels (what the heck is that term?) is the same as the rear wheels. So when you run strings along the car, if the toe is zero everywhere, the two strings will be parallel. That's the important starting point for this setup. On an f-body, I don't know whether those two strings will be parallel, and certainly for those of us that have fat tires on the back, it's pretty unlikely. Not that this makes the job impossible, just not quite as easy.

Dave

 

I have done the string alignment before, it works good enough to get you by a day or so but I wouldn't leave it like that. You can't be that broke that you can't afford $40 for an alignment.

$40 for alignment or $160 later for a new tire????