Larry,

So you do it visually more or less backwards than lining up the marks and taking a reading and if you don't like what you see you get out the dial indicator. How many times have you not liked what you see and found that the dial indicator was more accurate?

The reason I ask is that I know of many people who take readings by lining up the marks and the only time there's really a problem is when someone has moved the pointer.

It may be the same as those that think they can do wheel bearings without a dial indicator. The shop manual clearly specifies that bearing play is set with a dial indicator & I follow the procedure. However, I don't use one for "lining up the marks" and I think you do the opposite?

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Brian Toscano