PRE-ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
Before starting wheel alignment, the following inspection and necessary corrections must be completed. Refer to Suspension and Steering System Diagnosis Chart below for additional information.
- Inspect tires for size, air pressure and tread wear.
- Inspect front wheel bearings for wear.
- Inspect front wheels for excessive radial or lateral runout and balance.
- Inspect ball studs, linkage pivot points and steering gear for looseness, roughness or binding.
- Check intermediate shaft for excessive loosness or binding.
- Inspect suspension components for wear and noise.
- Check suspension ride height, per the recommended proceedure for variation side to side, in front and rear.
- Road test the vehicle.
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| FRONT END NOISE | 1. Loose or worn wheel bearing. | 1. Replace wheel bearing. |
| 2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components. | 2. Tighten or replace components as necessary. | |
| 3. Loose body components. | 3. Tighten or replace body components as necessary | |
| 4. Loose or worn steering or suspension components. | 4. Tighten or replace components as necessary. | |
| EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING | 1. Loose or worn wheel bearing. | 1. Replace wheel bearing. |
| 2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components. | 2. Tighten or replace components as necessary. | |
| 3. Loose or worn steering gear. | 3. Replace steering gear. | |
| FRONT WHEELS SHIMMY | 1. Loose or worn wheel bearing. | 1. Replace wheel bearing. |
| 2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components. | 2. Tighten or replace components as necessary. | |
| 3. Tires worn or out of balance. | 3. Replace or balance tires. | |
| 4. Alignment. | 4. Align vehicle to specifications. | |
| VEHICLE INSTABILITY | 1. Loose or worn wheel bearing. | 1. Replace wheel bearing. |
| 2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components. | 2. Tighten or replace components as necessary. | |
| 3. Tire pressure. | 3. Adjust tire pressure. | |
| 4. Alignment. | 4. Align vehicle to specifications. | |
| EXCESSIVE STEERING EFFORT | 1. Loose or worn steering gear. | 1. Replace steering gear. |
| 2. Column coupler binding. | 2. Replace coupler. | |
| 3. Steering Pump | 3. Replace Pump | |
| 4. Tire pressure. | 4. Adjust tire pressure. | |
| 5. Alignment. | 5. Align vehicle to specifications. | |
| VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE | 1. Tire pressure. | 1. Adjust tire pressure. |
| 2. Tire. | 2. Criss-Cross Front Tires. | |
| 3. Alignment. | 3. Align vehicle to specifications. | |
| 4. Loose or worn steering or suspension components. | 4. Tighten or replace components as necessary. | |
| 5. Radial tire lead. | 5. Rotate or replace tire as necessary. | |
| 6. Brake pull. | 6. Repair brake as necessary. |
SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
CAMBER, CASTER AND TOE ADJUSTMENT
Camber and caster angle adjustments involve changing the position of the lower control arm with the slots in the frame brackets to move the lower control arm inwards or outwards for proper adjustment. This can be achieved by using a socket on the head of the cam bolt and turning clockwise or counterclockwise to achieve the proper specification.
Note. Both front and rear lower control arm cam bolts are adjustable.
Note. Camber and caster adjustments must be made at the lower control arm The upper control arm is not adjustable.
Note. When the lower control arm cam bolts are loosened the lower control arm will normally go outwards automatically with the weight of the vehicle.
TOE ADJUSTMENT
The wheel toe position adjustment is the final adjustment.
- Start the engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening the wheels. Secure the steering wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
- Loosen the tie rod jam nuts (3). NOTE: Each front wheel should be adjusted for one-half of the total toe position specification. This will ensure the steering wheel will be centered when the wheels are positioned straight-ahead.
- Adjust the wheel toe position by turning the inner tie rod (4) as necessary.
- Tighten the tie rod jam nut (3) to 75 N.m (55 ft. lbs.).
- Verify the specifications.
- Turn off engine.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Note. All alignment specifications are in degrees.
Note. All wheel alignments are to be set with the vehicle at curb height. See Front Suspension/Wheel Alignment - Standard Procedure
| FRONT ALIGNMENT | PREFERRED SETTING | ACCEPTABLE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| CAMBER - LEFT | 0.10° | 0.40° to +0.60° |
| CAMBER - RIGHT | 0.10° | 0.60° to +0.40° |
| CROSS-CAMBER (Maximum Side-To-Side Difference) | +0.20° | 0.30° to +0.70° |
| CASTER - LEFT | +3.50° | +3.00° to +4.00° |
| CASTER - RIGHT | +3.80° | +3.30° to +4.30° |
| CROSS-CASTER (Maximum Side-To-Side Difference) | 0.30° | 0.80° to +0.20° |
| TOE - TOTAL* | +0.20° | +0.10° to +0.30° |
| Positive toe (+) is toe-in and negative toe (-) is Toe-out. | ||
| * TOTAL TOE is the sum of both the left and right wheel toe settings. TOTAL TOE should be equally split between each wheel on the same axle to ensure the steering wheel is centered after setting toe. | ||