A method for aligning a female portion of an articulated connector while it is still mounted to the end structure of a rail car to a reconditioning fixture is disclosed. The fixture is removably secured to the female connector. A bearing is preferably secured to the fixture such that its bore is aligned with the bore of the female connector. An alignment tube is then preferably inserted into the bores of the bearing and female connector. A centering gauge can be placed on the alignment tube. The bearing can then preferably be adjusted so that the alignment tube is positioned against the centering gauge.