Wheel Alignment Specifications & Procedures Lincoln Continental VIII

RIDING HEIGHT

Note. Before wheel alignment is performed, riding height must be checked and readjusted (if necessary). Riding height is adjustable only on air suspension models.

Scheme 1

1. Place vehicle on alignment rack. To ensure riding height is measured at a consistent point, height should only be measured after SERVICE BAY DIAGNOSTIC AUTO MODE has been completed and SUPER STAR II tester displays a Code 12. See DIAGNOSIS & TESTING in ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION article for diagnostic routine.
2. Air suspension diagnostics will not work using a SUPER STAR tester. After SERVICE BAY DIAGNOSTIC AUTO MODE routine is completed and Code 12 is displayed, remove SUPER STAR II tester. Turn suspension power switch off. Power switch is located in left side of trunk. Leave ignition switch in RUN position.
3. Vehicle should now be at top of trim band. Measure front riding height "C" dimension. (Scheme 1) Dimension "C" is vertical difference between lower arm inner pivot and bottom center of ball joint retainer disk.
4. Measure rear suspension "D" dimension. Rear riding height is difference between rear lower arm pivot attachment height and outer pivot height.
5. Suspension heights for top of trim band are: "C": 1.72" (44 mm) +/-.39" (10 mm). "D": -.36" (-9.3 mm). Tolerance is +.39" (10 mm) and -.20" (5 mm).
6. For reference purposes, riding heights at center of trim band are about.35" (9 mm) lower for front, and.47" (12 mm) for rear than heights listed in step 5).

Scheme 2

1. Front riding height is adjusted by changing height sensor link. See «FRONT RIDING HEIGHT SENSOR LINK DIMENSIONS»(/lincoln/continental/viii-1988-1994/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures) table. (Scheme 2)
2. When removing front link, carefully pry it off with a wide-bladed screwdriver. When installing link, support height sensor from behind to prevent sensor damage. Any front link change must be made with reference to link that is to be removed.

FRONT RIDING HEIGHT SENSOR LINK DIMENSIONS

FRONT RIDING HEIGHT SENSOR LINK DIMENSIONS

ADJUSTING REAR RIDING HEIGHT

To adjust rear height sensor, loosen and reposition height sensor lever adjustment screw. Each notch on rear height sensor lever gives about.60" (15 mm) of riding height adjustment. (Scheme 3)

Scheme 3

FWD Models

Front of vehicle may be raised with floor jack by placing jack under front engine crossmember. Rear of vehicle may be raised by placing jack forward of tie rod bracket or under either rear lower control arm-to-chassis mounting bracket. (Scheme 4)

Note. DO NOT lift vehicle by placing jack under front or rear control arms, axle shafts or CV joints.

BUMPER JACK

A bumper type jack may only be used on Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Mark VII and Town Car. DO NOT raise other vehicles by the bumper at any time.

HOIST

Frame Contact Hoist

On frame contact hoists, adapters must be placed at 4 contact points. Position adapters so they are centered on contact area. All 4 contact points must contact adapters. On FWD vehicles, the rear contact points are located forward of the tie rod-to-body attaching brackets.

Scheme 4

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT

Note. Before adjusting caster or camber, check subframe alignment.

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

1. To check subframe alignment, loosen subframe mount bolts. Install a 3/4" (19 mm) pipe or alignment bar into driver side subframe and body alignment holes. Slightly tighten subframe mount bolts.
2. Repeat procedure for passenger side. Check driver side alignment holes again. After both sides are aligned, tighten mount bolts. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/lincoln/continental/viii-1988-1994/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures__torque-specifications). (Scheme 5)
3. To make minor adjustments to camber and caster, loosen the subframe mount bolts and shift the subframe. If this does not allow enough adjustment, loosen 3 upper strut mounting bracket-to-strut tower attaching nuts. Drill out 4 or 5 spot welds at upper strut alignment plate. (Scheme 6)
4. DO NOT drill any deeper than necessary to move alignment plate. Remove 3 upper strut mounting bracket-to-strut tower attaching nuts and alignment plate. Clean burrs from strut tower and alignment bracket. Paint exposed metal surfaces.
5. Position strut and alignment bracket. Loosely install attaching nuts. Adjust camber/caster by moving top of strut. Tighten attaching nuts to specification. Drill 3 holes for rivets in perimeter of alignment bracket. (Scheme 7) Install 3 rivets.

Scheme 7

CASTER ADJUSTMENT

See CAMBER ADJUSTMENT .

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT (FRONT)

Ensure steering wheel is centered. Loosen tie rod end adjusting sleeve clamp bolts or lock nuts. Turn adjusting sleeve or tie rod to adjust toe-in. (Scheme 8) Tighten tie rod end adjusting sleeve clamp bolt or lock nut.

Scheme 8

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT (REAR)

Loosen rear control arm-to-body retaining bolt. Rotate adjusting cam to obtain correct toe-in. While holding adjusting cam, tighten rear adjusting cam attaching nut. (Scheme 9)

Scheme 9

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• FRONT RIDING HEIGHT SENSOR LINK DIMENSIONS
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• CAMBER ADJUSTMENT