How can I align my steering by myself? I apparently have a lot of toe out because the tires are wearing down real fast on the inside. I think that something on the steering linkage is worn out on the left side as well. I have waaay too much play in my steering, too. How do I do it? I can't afford to have a professional do it.

 

Your chances of getting it close are somewhat marginal and dead on is probably not going to happen.

If your only problem is toe in, then you can do it with a tape measure comparing the measurements from an identifiable and consistent location from the front of both tires to the rear of both tires.

Chances are, toe isn't your only problem.

 

Your best bet would be to take it to a shop and have them do it.

 

I did it when I got my 95 last year. Had to practically rebuild the front suspension because most was either worn or damaged in the accident. I went to my local pick a part with a cloth tape measure. I measured the distance from the center of the inner tie rod to the center of the outter tie rod. Did both sides and they were all within 1/8". So I matched up mine. Then I matched the positions of the offsets on the washers for the upper control arms to get the camber right. Took a couple weeks of adjusting and driving to get it comfortable. Now I still have a slight pull (even after getting my bushings done) but they are straight enough that my tires don't wear. I've had the same tires on since I bought them in Feb 2009. The driver side got a little more wear because the hub went last year and this year the bushings but it's doing good now.

But they are right, you won't get an exactly correct setting, but it'll be close enough to make it livable until you can get it to a shop. I plan on going in in Feb now I've got my bushings done and everything else is pretty much replaced.

 

We're pretty sure that the steering linkage is worn out. I can't afford a new one, but I've talked to a friend. He has a 2003 S15 pickup. Would the linkage be the same as mine?

 

Doubtful.