Front Suspension & Wheel Alignment: Adjustments Dodge Dart PF

PRE-WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION

Before any attempt is made to change or correct the wheel alignment, the following inspection and necessary corrections must be made to the vehicle to ensure proper alignment.

1. This vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system. Make sure there are no faults or problems with the EPS system before diagnosing an alignment issue.
2. Verify the fuel tank is full of fuel. If the fuel tank is not full, the reduction in weight will affect the curb height of the vehicle and the alignment specifications.
3. The passenger and luggage compartments of the vehicle should be free of any load that is not factory equipment.
4. Check the tires on the vehicle. The tires are to be inflated to the recommended air pressure. All tires must be the same size and in good condition with approximately the same tread wear.
5. Check the front tire and wheel assemblies for excessive radial runout.
6. Inspect all suspension component fasteners for looseness and proper torque.
7. Inspect the lower front ball joints and all steering linkage for looseness and any sign of wear or damage.
8. Inspect the rubber bushings on all the suspension components for signs of wear or deterioration. If any bushings show signs of wear or deterioration, they should be replaced prior to aligning the vehicle.
9. Check vehicle curb height to verify it is within specifications. Refer to «WHEEL ALIGNMENT, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-646210-S39626530632014072800000) .

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SETUP

1. Position the vehicle on an alignment rack.
2. Install all required alignment equipment on the vehicle, per the alignment equipment manufacturer's instructions. On this vehicle, a four-wheel alignment is recommended. NOTE: Prior to reading the vehicle's alignment readouts, the front and rear of vehicle should be jounced. Induce jounce (rear first, then front) by grasping the center of the bumper and jouncing each end of vehicle an equal number of times. The bumper should always be released when vehicle is at the bottom of the jounce cycle.
3. Read the vehicle's current front and rear alignment settings. Compare the vehicle's current alignment settings to the vehicle specifications for camber, caster and toe-in. Refer to «WHEEL ALIGNMENT, SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-646210-S08842661652014072800000) .

ADJUSTMENT BY SHIFTING CROSSMEMBER

1. Loosen the four bolts fastening the front crossmember to the frame just enough to allow movement of the crossmember. Refer to «CROSSMEMBER, FRONT SUSPENSION, REMOVAL»(ref-646214-S00037398332014072800000) and «CROSSMEMBER, REAR SUSPENSION, REMOVAL»(ref-646214-S42120316522014072800000) .
2. Shift front crossmember as necessary (See following tables) to bring camber or caster into specifications. When shifting crossmember, use care not to move other angles (camber or caster) that are within specifications, out of specifications. FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT BY SHIFTING CROSSMEMBER* Left Camber Below Specification Move crossmember to the right Left Camber Above Specification Move crossmember to the left Right Camber Below Specification Move crossmember to the left Right Camber Above Specification Move crossmember to the right Cross Camber Below Specification Move crossmember to the right Cross Camber Above Specification Move crossmember to the left * For every move to adjust one side of the vehicle, a countermove on the opposite side will occur. FRONT CASTER ADJUSTMENT BY SHIFTING CROSSMEMBER Left Caster Below Specification Move left side of crossmember forward Left Caster Above Specification Move left side of crossmember rearward Right Caster Below Specification Move right side of crossmember forward Right Caster Above Specification Move right side of crossmember rearward Cross Caster Below Specification Move left side of crossmember forward and right side rearward Cross Caster Above Specification Move left side of crossmember rearward and right side forward
3. Tighten all previously loosened fasteners (bolts) securing the crossmember to the vehicle to specifications. Refer to «CROSSMEMBER, FRONT SUSPENSION, INSTALLATION»(ref-646214-S18817399002014072800000) and «CROSSMEMBER, REAR SUSPENSION, INSTALLATION»(ref-646214-S11427926882014072800000) .
4. Jounce the rear, then front of the vehicle an equal amount of times.
5. Measure camber and caster. If camber and caster are within specifications, proceed to «TOE»(ref-646210-S34656806122014072800000) . If camber and/or caster cannot be brought into specifications, check for bent or damaged components.