Wheel Alignment Specifications & Adjustment Procedures (G Series) Chevrolet Chevy Van G1500

JACKING & HOISTING

Note. Before performing wheel alignment, perform preliminary visual and mechanical inspection of wheels, tires and suspension components. See PRE-ALIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS in WHEEL ALIGNMENT THEORY/OPERATION article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

Put floor jack or vehicle hoist under vehicle at proper lifting points. (Scheme 1) If raising vehicle on a twin-post hoist, do not damage suspension components, rear axle cover, or steering linkage.

Scheme 1

RIDING HEIGHT

Note. Proper riding height is necessary for correct wheel alignment. Before measuring riding height, ensure tire inflation pressure is correct, cargo compartment is empty, and fuel tank is full.

FRONT

1. Using hands, lift front bumper about 1.5" (38 mm). Gently remove hands and allow vehicle to settle on its own. Do this 2 more times. Measure riding height. (Scheme 2)
2. Push front bumper down about 1.5" (38 mm). Gently remove hands and allow vehicle to rise on its own. Do this 2 more times. Measure riding height. (Scheme 2) To obtain riding height, average the high and low measurements.
3. If riding height is not as specified, repair or replace suspension components as necessary. See «RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series) table. If riding height is okay, align wheels. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series).

REAR

1. Lift front bumper about 1.5" (38 mm). Gently remove hands and allow vehicle to settle on its own. Do this 2 more times. Measure riding height on right side of vehicle. (Scheme 3)
2. Push front bumper down about 1.5" (38 mm). Gently remove hands and allow vehicle to rise on its own. Do this 2 more times. Measure riding height on right side of vehicle again. Average measurements.
3. Repeat steps 1) and 2) on left side of vehicle. Compare right and left side measurements. Rear trim height should not exceed 0.5" (13 mm) from side-to-side (left to right). If riding height is not as specified, repair or replace suspension components as necessary. If riding height is okay, align wheels. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series).

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS

PRE-ALIGNMENT CHECKS

Ensure steering wheel is centered and front wheels are in straight-ahead position (to correct, shorten one tie rod adjusting sleeve and lengthen the opposite sleeve in equal amounts). Ensure none of the following conditions exist

1. Incorrect vehicle riding height (see «RIDING HEIGHT»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series__riding-height) ).
2. Incorrect tire pressure, mismatched tires (differing size or type), excessive tire runout, unbalanced tire and wheel assemblies, loose wheel bearings, or loose wheel lug nuts.
3. Loose or worn steering linkage/suspension components, or excessive play in steering gear box.

Caster Adjustment

1. Check frame angle. See FRAME ANGLE. If corrected caster is not within specification, remove frame bracket slots. See FRAME BRACKET SLOT REMOVAL. Reset caster by loosening nut on end of each cam bolt securing upper control arm to frame brackets. (Scheme 4)
2. Rotate cam bolts until caster is within specification. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series). Tighten nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series__torque-specifications).

Camber Adjustment

1. If camber is not within specification, remove frame bracket slots. See FRAME BRACKET SLOT REMOVAL. Reset camber by loosening nut on end of each cam bolt securing upper control arm to frame brackets. (Scheme 4)
2. Rotate cam bolts until camber is within specification. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series). Tighten nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series__torque-specifications).

Frame Angle

1. Position vehicle on smooth, level surface. Using inclinometer or bubble protractor, measure frame angle. Determine if frame angle is up-in-rear or down-in-rear.
2. To determine corrected caster reading with various frame angles and caster readings apply one of the following rules: Down-in-rear frame angle must be subtracted from a positive caster reading. Up-in-rear frame angle must be added to a positive caster reading. Down-in-rear frame angle must be added to a negative caster reading. Up-in-rear frame angle must be subtracted from a negative caster reading.

If corrected caster is not within specification, adjust caster to specified setting.

Frame Bracket Slot Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle with a jack (or jackstand) under each lower control arm. Remove wheel. Remove nuts, cams, and bolts from frame brackets at upper control arm. (Scheme 4)
2. Lift control arm upward and set it aside. Note perforations at bolt hole in each frame bracket. If a protective wax coating is covering perforations, remove wax. Assemble Knockout Remover (J-38794) on frame brackets. (Scheme 5) Limited clearance may require that you remove the knockout from the outside inward (opposite of direction indicated in illustration).
3. The head of the "T" bolt and the channel of the bridge must be horizontal, aligned with knockout. Turn nut until knockout breaks loose, but do not exceed 75 ft. lbs. (102 N.m) of torque. If more torque is required, stop procedure and remove knockout with a die grinder.
4. Set control arm into position. Install bolts, cams, and nuts. Go to adjustment procedure.

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT

1. Center steering wheel and hold with steering wheel clamp. Loosen tie rod lock nuts or adjustment sleeve clamp bolts. Rotate inner tie rods or adjustment sleeves to align toe to specification. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series) .
2. Ensure number of threads showing on each tie rod or inside each adjustment sleeve is nearly equal. Ensure tie rod ends are square before tightening lock nuts. Tighten tie rod lock nuts or adjustment sleeve clamp bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g1500/1996-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures-g-series__torque-specifications) .

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• WHEEL ALIGNMENT THEORY/OPERATION
• RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
• RIDING HEIGHT
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS