If you want your car to perform at its best on the track or in a drift event, proper alignment is essential. One of the easiest and most effective tools for setting your car’s toe alignment is a set of toe plates. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned pro, toe plates allow you to measure and adjust the toe angle of your wheels accurately without the need for expensive alignment racks. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to use toe plates for alignment, ensuring you can fine-tune your setup for maximum performance.
What You’ll Need:
- Toe plates (SLRspeed's premium toe plates are highly recommended)
- Two tape measures (usually included with most toe plate kits)
- Jack and jack stands (optional, but useful for lifting the car)
- Wheel chocks (to secure the car in place)
- Wrenches and other tools for adjusting tie rods or control arms
Step 1: Prepare the Car
Before you begin aligning your car, make sure the car is on a level surface. You’ll also want to ensure your tires are properly inflated to avoid skewed measurements. If you’re making adjustments to the front alignment, ensure the steering wheel is straight.
- Pro Tip: If you're adjusting the alignment after making suspension changes, it’s a good idea to roll the car back and forth a few times to ensure everything is settled into place.
Step 2: Place the Toe Plates on the Wheels
Toe plates are designed to sit on the outside of your car’s wheels. Position the plates against the front and rear edges of the tire, making sure they’re sitting flat against the wheel. Each toe plate will have slots for two tape measures to pass through.
- Attach the toe plates on both the front wheels.
- Slide the measuring tapes into the slots provided on the toe plates so that one tape runs across the front of the tires and the other runs across the rear of the tires.
Make sure the tape measures are perfectly level for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Measure the Toe Angle
Once the toe plates are positioned on both wheels and the tape measures are in place, it’s time to take your measurements. Here’s how:
- Front Measurement: Look at the measurement on the tape running across the front of the tires.
- Rear Measurement: Now check the tape running across the rear of the tires.
The difference between these two measurements tells you your car’s toe setting:
- Toe-in occurs when the front measurement is smaller than the rear, meaning the front of the tires are angled inward.
- Toe-out occurs when the front measurement is larger than the rear, meaning the front of the tires are angled outward.
Step 4: Adjust the Toe Angle
Once you’ve determined the toe setting, it’s time to adjust it. Most cars have adjustable tie rods that control the toe angle. Here’s how to make the necessary adjustments:
- Loosen the lock nuts on the tie rods.
- Turn the tie rods to adjust the toe angle—clockwise to decrease toe-out (or increase toe-in) and counterclockwise to increase toe-out (or decrease toe-in).
- Make small adjustments and recheck your measurements with the toe plates after each change.
Keep adjusting until the toe settings match your desired spec.
Step 5: Final Check and Tighten
Once your toe angle is set, tighten the lock nuts on the tie rods to secure your adjustments. Recheck your measurements with the toe plates to ensure nothing shifted during tightening.
If everything looks good, you're ready to hit the track or street with improved alignment.
Common Toe Settings for Drifting and Racing
Your ideal toe setting will depend on how you use your car. Here are a few general guidelines for toe settings:
- For drifting: Many drivers prefer a slight toe-out on the front wheels to enhance steering responsiveness during initiation. Rear wheels might have a slight toe-in to help stabilize the car in a drift.
- For track racing: A neutral toe (zero toe) or slight toe-in on the front wheels is common for straight-line stability and precise cornering. Rear toe settings are often neutral or slightly in for better grip through corners.
Benefits of Using Toe Plates
- Affordable & Easy to Use: Toe plates provide an affordable solution for checking and adjusting your alignment, making them perfect for at-home enthusiasts and weekend racers.
- Fast Adjustments at the Track: Toe plates are lightweight and portable, making them perfect for trackside adjustments between runs or events.
- Improved Handling: Correct toe settings can drastically improve your car’s handling, making it more predictable and responsive, whether you’re drifting or racing.
SLRspeed Premium Toe Plates: Precision Alignment Made Easy
At SLRspeed, we offer premium toe plates designed for precision and durability. Our toe plates are easy to use, lightweight, and perfect for anyone looking to dial in their car’s alignment at home or trackside. Paired with measuring tapes, our toe plates allow you to make fast and accurate adjustments to keep your car performing at its best.
Using toe plates for alignment is a simple and effective way to ensure your car’s suspension is tuned for the task at hand. Whether you’re chasing faster lap times or more aggressive drift angles, toe plates give you the control you need to fine-tune your setup. For the best in precision alignment tools, check out SLRspeed’s premium toe plates and other performance products at SLRspeed.com!
