Wheel Alignment Specifications & Procedures Chevrolet Chevy Van G20

VEHICLE CHECKS

Before making wheel alignment adjustments, check or adjust the following

1. Tire pressure must be inflated to manufacturer's recommended specifications. Tires should be equal in size and type. Runout must not be excessive. Tires and wheels should be in balance.
2. Wheel bearings must be properly adjusted. Steering linkage and suspension must not have excessive wear and/or looseness. Check for wear in tie rod ends and ball joints.
3. Steering gear box must not have excessive play. Check and adjust to manufacturer's specifications.
4. Vehicle must be at correct ride height with full fuel load and spare tire in vehicle. No extra load should be on vehicle. See «RIDE HEIGHT»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__ride-height) .
5. Vehicle must be level with floor and with suspension settled. Jounce front and rear of vehicle several times and allow it to settle to normal ride height.
6. Ensure steering wheel spokes are centered with front wheels in straight-ahead position, correct by shortening one tie rod adjusting sleeve and lengthening opposite sleeve equal amounts.
7. Ensure wheel lug nuts are tightened to proper specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications) .

ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES

Note. Before making any adjustments, check ride height of vehicle and measure and record all alignment angles. See RIDE HEIGHT under ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES.

"C" & "K" Series

1. Original control arm does not allow adjustment of camber and caster. Camber and caster may be adjusted only by using Adjustment Kit (G.M. 15538596). Raise vehicle and support under lower control arms. Remove upper control arm-to-frame bracket bolts, nuts and washer and discard.
2. Remove large washers welded to upper control arm frame brackets. Remove weld beads from upper control arm bracket. Grind area smooth. Install adjustment cams to bracket. (Scheme 1)
3. Install bolt. Adjust camber and caster to correct specifications by rotating bolt head. See «ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures). Tighten nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications).

Scheme 1

Astro, Safari, "G", "P", "R" & "S" Series

Camber and caster angle may be adjusted using shims. (Scheme 2) Loosen upper control arm shaft-to-frame nuts. Remove original shims from bolts and add or remove shims to meet specification. See ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. Tighten nuts to specification when servicing is complete. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Scheme 2

Lumina APV, Silhouette & Trans Sport

1. Caster is not adjustable. Measure caster as a check for bent or damaged parts. See «ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures). Replace damaged components if necessary.
2. For camber adjustment, loosen both strut-to-knuckle bolts enough to allow movement. (Scheme 3) Adjust camber to specification by moving top of wheel in or out. See «ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures). Tighten strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications).

Scheme 3

"V" Series

Caster and camber are not adjustable.

"T" Series

Caster and camber adjustments are made by means of cams on upper control arm frame attaching bolts. Loosen upper control arm-to-frame attaching nuts. Rotate cam by rotating bolt head. (Scheme 4) Adjust caster and camber to specification. See ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS.

Tighten nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Scheme 4

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT

Note. Tie rod adjuster parts often become rusted in service. If torque required to remove the nut from bolt after break-away exceeds 84 INCH lbs. (9 N.m), discard nuts and bolts and replace with correct numbered parts.

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 «ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures) .
2. Ensure the 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-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications) .

RIDE HEIGHT

1. Proper ride height is necessary for correct wheel alignment. Ensure tires are correctly inflated, cargo compartment is empty and fuel tank is full. Bounce vehicle several times to normalize ride height.
2. Most vehicles provide front wheel alignment specifications which allow camber and caster adjustment for a large range of ride heights. See «RIDE HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/chevy-van-g20/1985-1995/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures) table. Ride height measurement points are shown. (Scheme 5)- (Scheme 10).

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

RIDE HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

CASTER SPECIFICATION TABLE

Measure ride height. (Scheme 8) Use ride height measurement (measurement "BC") with the following table to find the proper caster setting for vehicle.

Scheme 11

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• RIDE HEIGHT
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS