alignment of steering knuckles, '64 230sl

[enochbell]

I hope you are having as much fun on this Saturday as I am...

I am reassembling the steering knuckles in connection with CA bushing replacement, is it permissable to align the knuckles by placing them both on a known correct/flat surface while tightening the bolt on top of the king pin?  The service book cautions that one must use a special alignment tool which, of course, I don't have.

Thanks, as always,

greg

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[BHap]

if you set up the kingpin on your vice for correct free play when torqued, then break the lower knuckle loose again you can install it on the car and tighten the lower nut when the upper and lower outer control arm bushings/bolts are installed.... there is a chance that the control arms aren't as "flat" as your guide....