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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
Topics49,914
Posts838,173
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Most Online1,063 Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 159 Likes: 1
L - Learner Plates On
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OP
L - Learner Plates On
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 159 Likes: 1 |
Is there a reference anywhere on how to adjust the toe in on a modern 2012 3 Wheeler ?
Dutch Junge 194 Mound St Logan, OH USA 43138
2012 3 Wheeler 1980 + 8
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,702 Likes: 416
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,702 Likes: 416 |
Recent thread here on adjusting for Classics, M3W similar after slackening track rod end locknuts.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7 1966 Land Rover S2a 88 2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 72
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 72 |
I use a Gunson Trakrite wheel alignment gauge on the M3W. It is very easy to use. Zero toe angle works well for me with good tyre wear but some set a small amount of toe in.
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,740 Likes: 57
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,740 Likes: 57 |
It is interesting that to the naked eye the front wheels always appear to have toe-out. Therefore, it is necessary to have a slightly more scientific way of checking the alignment. I knocked up a pair of frames that sit on each of the front wheel rims and use a couple of identical tape measures to check the alignment. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2022/06/26/M3W-Wheel-Alignment-Jig_1.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2022/06/26/M3W-Wheel-Alignment-Jig_4.jpg) There are a couple of precise wooden blocks that rest against the rim to ensure accuracy. Tie-wraps passed around the frames and behind the spokes ensure that everything is held tightly in place. Use a level to ensure that both frames are horizontal and use masking tape between the wheels and mudguards to prevent the wheels from turning if you have them off the ground. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2022/06/26/M3W-Wheel-Alignment-Jig_6.jpg) Then it's just a matter of centering up the steering rack. Use a dowel through the hole in the upper centre of the rack housing and turn the steering until the dowel locates in the inner rack. Early cars didn't have this locating hole so you'll just have to work out the central position as best as you can. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2022/06/26/M3W-Wheel-Alignment-Jig_2.jpg) Ensure that one of the wheels is parallel/inline with the chassis. Then read off the two measurements and adjust the other tie rod so that the measurements are the same, or the front measurement is a couple of mm smaller than the rear if you want a tad of toe-in. Obviously there may be more to it than this, and it is an iterative process, but it's all pretty straight forward and obvious when you actually do it. By the way, it's surprising how much the alignment changes as the track rod end locking nuts are tightened so be sure to re-check the alignment after everything is tweaked up. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2022/06/26/M3W-Wheel-Alignment-Jig_3.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2022/06/26/M3W-Wheel-Alignment-Jig_5.jpg) I've had good results with this method and it's relatively quick and easy to use (and dirt cheap of course). 
Andy
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,473 Likes: 476
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,473 Likes: 476 |
Love it, it fits so well too... I suspect 1/8th inch toe in might be a reasonable place to start, but then I know nothing of M3W`s have been wrong before and more than once.., 
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,740 Likes: 57
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,740 Likes: 57 |
Love it, it fits so well too... I suspect 1/8th inch toe in might be a reasonable place to start, but then I know nothing of M3W`s have been wrong before and more than once..,  I think the official recommendation is 'parallel'. When I first got my car (and after it had been set up at the factory) it had toe out which made it very unstable, especially under braking when it would weave around all over the road. 
Andy
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,473 Likes: 476
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 5,473 Likes: 476 |
I claim ZERO expertise.. My guess is that having a degree of toe-in reduces the inclination of a pair of wheels to wander at the slightest hint of influence, be that camber alteration or a uneven road surface. I would have by nature thought parallel might seem ideal to resist uneven tyre wear/scrubbing, but I find no such issues on my +8`s tyres that are noticeable to the naked eye with 1/8th toe-in... As to how much different it might be to have only one wheel following on behind, relative to the geometrical positioning of the two front wheels... I have no idea.. With your very Morganesque set up to hand, it seems a bit of trial and error may be no big deal..? Good luck in your choices.. 
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,796 Likes: 5
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,796 Likes: 5 |
Thats one way of doing it Bunny, I clamp a pair of 6' spirit levels to the brake discs and measure at each end. Zero toe for me also.
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,740 Likes: 57
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,740 Likes: 57 |
Thats one way of doing it Bunny, I clamp a pair of 6' spirit levels to the brake discs and measure at each end. Zero toe for me also. I used to do that too after reading about your method before. Problem is that my levels resemble bananas and I'm too tight to buy expensive ones!
Andy
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 807 Likes: 38
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 807 Likes: 38 |
Lengths of alloy angle angle (1.5 or 2" wide) from the hardware store are handy as straight edges, and not too expensive.
Steve Late 2012 M3W
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