RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Note. Unless otherwise specified, references to Pickup include the F350 Super Duty commercial chassis.
Note. Prior to performing wheel alignment, perform visual and mechanical inspection of wheels, tires and suspension components. See PRE-ALIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS in ALIGNMENT SPECS/PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.
Before adjusting alignment, check riding height. Riding height must be checked with vehicle on level floor and tires properly inflated. Bounce vehicle several times and allow suspension to settle. Visually inspect vehicle for signs of abnormal height from front to rear or side to side. Check passenger compartment or vehicle bed for extra heavy items and remove if present.
Ride height is measured at center of front and rear wheel house opening. (Scheme 1) Maximum front side-to-side height difference is 5/8" (16 mm). Maximum rear side-to-side height difference is 3/4" (19 mm). If riding height is not as specified, check, repair or replace suspension components as necessary.
Scheme 1
Aerostar
To raise front of vehicle, position floor jack under horizontal portion of underbody frame member, behind front wheel of side to be lifted. (Scheme 2) To raise rear of vehicle, position floor jack under horizontal portion of underbody frame member, ahead of wheel on side to be lifted. Floor jack may also be used under front suspension lower control arms or rear axle.
All Other Models
Floor jack may be used under front suspension lower control arms or rear axle. (Scheme 3)- (Scheme 8). Observe following precautions
- Never use jack on any part of underbody.
- DO NOT raise entire vehicle at side rail, with jack midway between front and rear wheels, or permanent body damage may result.
- DO NOT allow lifting plate fingers to contact axle cover plate when lifting at rear axle housing.
- If vehicle is equipped with a stabilizer bar, DO NOT lift at rear axle housing.
AXLE CONTACT HOIST
Ensure hoist contacts lower control arms or front crossmember, and rear axle.
Vehicle may be raised on single-post or twin-post swiveling arm, or ramp-type drive hoist. If using single-post hoist, ensure lifting arms, pads or ramps are positioned at proper lifting points, and adequate underbody clearance is maintained. To ensure underbody clearance, place wooden blocks between lifting pads and frame at lift points. (Scheme 2)
If vehicle is raised on a twin-post hoist, use caution not to damage suspension, rear axle cover and/or steering linkage components. Front end adapters should be carefully positioned, as near wheels as possible, to ensure maximum contact under center of lower suspension arms or spring supports.
Rear suspension hoist adapters (forks) should be placed under rear axle tubes. These adapters must not interfere with lower control arm mounting brackets or hydraulic brake tubes. To avoid damage, DO NOT allow hoisting forks to contact axle housing rear cover, stabilizer bar or brackets.
Vehicle may be raised on single-post or twin-post swiveling arm, or ramp-type drive hoist as long as wide hoist adapters are used. If using single-post hoist, ensure lifting arms, pads or ramps are positioned at proper lifting points, and adequate underbody clearance is maintained.
If vehicle is to be raised on a twin-post hoist, use caution not to damage suspension, rear axle cover and/or steering linkage components. DO NOT allow lift pads to contact exhaust system components. (Scheme 3)- (Scheme 8).
| CAUTION | If single-post hoist is being used, add additional weight on rear end of vehicle before removing rear axle, fuel tank, spare tire or liftgate. This will prevent vehicle from tipping as center of gravity changes. |
Scheme 2
Scheme 3
Scheme 4
Scheme 5
Scheme 6
Scheme 7
Scheme 8
To adjust front camber, loosen 2 upper control arm nuts. Add or remove equal amount of shims from shim pack. Adding or removing an unequal amount of shims from shim pack will change caster. (Scheme 9) Tighten upper control arm nuts to specification when adjustment is complete. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Scheme 9
Note. DO NOT bend axles or radius arms to change alignment.
Explorer & Ranger (Dana 35)
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel assembly. On 4WD vehicles, remove snap ring on top of camber/caster adjuster. Remove pinch bolt at upper ball joint and pry out adjuster from axle. (Scheme 10)
- Install appropriate NEW camber/caster adjuster and rotate to desired adjustment. See «CAMBER/CASTER ADJUSTER SPECIFICATION»(/ford/explorer/i-1990-1994/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures) table. Tighten pinch bolt and install wheel assembly. Check wheel alignment to verify correct adjustment.
| Adjuster Type | Degree Range |
|---|---|
| 0.5° | 0.75 |
| 1.0° | 2.0 |
| 1.5° | 3.0 |
CAMBER/CASTER ADJUSTER SPECIFICATION
Scheme 10
E150/350 & F150/350
- Measure camber and caster to determine adjustment required. Record specifications for use in selection of camber/caster adjusters. To adjust, raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Loosen pinch bolt at top of upper ball joint and pry adjuster out of axle.
- Install appropriate NEW camber/caster adjuster and rotate to desired adjustment. See «CAMBER/CASTER ADJUSTER SPECIFICATION»(/ford/explorer/i-1990-1994/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures) table. Tighten pinch bolt to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/ford/explorer/i-1990-1994/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications) . Install wheel assembly. Check wheel alignment to verify correct adjustment.
Bronco & F150/350
- Camber and caster can be adjusted by changing the upper ball joint mounting sleeve. If adjustment is required, raise vehicle and remove front wheel assembly.
- Remove caliper. Remove upper ball joint cotter pin and nut. (Scheme 11) Loosen lower ball joint nut to end of stud. Break spindle loose from ball joint studs. Remove camber adjuster sleeve. Install replacement ball joint mounting sleeve.
- If increased camber is required, point arrow on mounting sleeve outward. If decreased camber is required, point arrow on mounting sleeve inward. Install spindle. Apply Loctite and partially tighten lower ball joint nut.
- Install NEW upper ball joint nut and tighten upper and lower ball joint nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/ford/explorer/i-1990-1994/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications). Install caliper and wheel assembly. Check alignment to verify correct adjustment.
Note. The following figures are Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Adjusting Camber/Caster (Bronco & Pickup Shown; Others Similar). Scheme 11
F250 & F350 (4WD)
- Caster is adjustable on vehicles with leaf spring suspension systems. Adjustment is performed by inserting shims between spring and axle. Shims are available in zero, 1 and 2 degree increments. Zero degree shim is used to adjust side-to-side height. To adjust caster, raise vehicle and support front axle. CAUTION: Caster should always be adjusted on right front axle to avoid changing front driveshaft alignment.
- Loosen "U" bolt nuts and separate spring from axle. Install caster shim between spring and axle. Position thin edge of shim to front of vehicle to increase caster. Position thin edge of shim to rear of vehicle to decrease caster. Tighten "U" bolt nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/ford/explorer/i-1990-1994/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications) . Check alignment to verify correct adjustment.
F350 (4WD)
Camber and caster are not adjustable on 4WD and F350 Super Duty monobeam-design vehicles.
Start engine. Center steering wheel. Secure steering wheel with holder and turn engine off. Loosen tie rod end lock nut. Loosen steering gear dust boot clamp(s) at tie rod end. Turn tie rod end to obtain correct toe-in. Tighten lock nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Ensure steering gear dust boot is straight after adjustment. Tighten dust boot clamp.
- Measure toe-in with front wheels straight ahead, and steering wheel locked in a centered position. Adjust toe-in by loosening clamps, and adjusting sleeve to obtain correct specification and maintain steering wheel in centered position.
- If steering wheel is not centered prior to wheel alignment, determine which wheel assembly is out of adjustment, and compensate that side to center steering wheel. Multiple attempts may be necessary to properly center steering wheel.
- When tightening clamps, ensure clamp bolts are positioned so there will be no interference with other parts throughout entire travel of steering linkage.
| Application | Preferred | Range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerostar (2WD) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0 | 0.75 to 0.75 | |
| Caster (1) | 3.5 | 2.5 to 4.5 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.1 to 0.16 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.2 to 0.32 | |
| Aerostar (4WD) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0 | 0.75 to 0.75 | |
| Caster (1) | 4.5 | 3.75 to 5.25 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.16 to 0.1 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.32 to 0.2 | |
| Bronco (3) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 4 | 2 to 6 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.08 to 0.15 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.16 to 0.3 | |
| Explorer (2WD) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 5 | 4 to 6 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0 | 0.13 to 0.13 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0 | 0.25 to 0.25 | |
| Explorer (4WD) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 4.25 | 2.5 to 6 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0 | 0.13 to 0.13 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0 | 0.25 to 0.25 | |
| Ranger (2WD) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 4.75 | 3.5 to 6 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0 | 0.13 to 0.13 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0 | 0.25 to 0.25 | |
| Ranger (4WD) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 4.25 | 2.5 to 6 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0 | 0.13 to 0.13 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0 | 0.25 to 0.25 | |
| E150 (3) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 4.5 | 2 to 7 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.08 to 0.15 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.16 to 0.3 | |
| E250 (3) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.5 | 0.5 to 1.5 | |
| Caster (1) | 4.5 | 2 to 7 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.08 to 0.15 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.16 to 0.3 | |
| F150/250 (2WD) (3) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 4 | 2 to 6 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.08 to 0.15 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.16 to 0.3 | |
| F150 (4WD) (3) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 4 | 2 to 6 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.08 to 0.15 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.16 to 0.3 | |
| F250 (4WD) | |||
| Camber (1) | 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.25 | |
| Caster (1) | 3.5 | 2 to 5 | |
| Toe-In (2) | 0.03 | 0.08 to 0.15 | |
| Toe-In (1) | 0.06 | 0.16 to 0.3 | |
| (1) Measurement in degrees. (2) Measurement in inches. (3) Specifications are for vehicles without aftermarket modifications. For vehicles with aftermarket modifications (Scheme 12)- (Scheme 31). | |||
| (1) | Measurement in degrees. |
| (2) | Measurement in inches. |
| (3) | Specifications are for vehicles without aftermarket modifications. For vehicles with aftermarket modifications (Scheme 12)- (Scheme 31). |
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Measuring Front Axle Gap - Explorer (2WD - Right & Left) & Ranger (2WD - Left). Scheme 12
Scheme 13
Scheme 14
Scheme 15
Scheme 16
Scheme 17
Scheme 18
Scheme 19
Scheme 20
Scheme 21
Scheme 22
Scheme 23
Scheme 24
Scheme 25
Scheme 26
Scheme 27
Scheme 28
Scheme 29
Scheme 30
Scheme 31
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | Ft. Lbs. (N.m) |
|---|---|
| Camber Adjuster Pinch Nut | 48-65 (65-88) |
| Control Arm Nut | 70-100 (95-136) |
| Lower Ball Joint Nut | 95-110 (129-149) |
| Tie Rod End Clamp Nut | 30-42 (41-57) |
| Tie Rod Lock Nut | 43-50 (58-68) |
| "U" Bolt Nut | 105 (142) |
| Upper Ball Joint Nut | 85-100 (115-136) |
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS