Wheel Alignment Specifications & Procedures: Adjustments Mercury Sable III

ADJUSTMENTS

Note. Prior to performing wheel alignment, perform visual and mechanical inspection of wheels, tires and suspension components. See PRE-ALIGNMENT CHECKS in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT THEORY & OPERATION article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT (FRONT)

1. For minor adjustments to camber and caster, loosen subframe mount bolts, and shift 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 4)
2. DO NOT drill 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 plate. Paint exposed metal surfaces.
3. Position strut and alignment plate. 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 plate. (Scheme 5) Install 3 rivets.

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT (REAR)

1. Raise vehicle, allowing suspension to hang free. Remove stabilizer bar bracket from outboard ends of lower control arm and bushing. Remove parking brake cable retaining bracket.
2. Place floor jack with wood block under lower control arm and bushing stamping (midway between lower control arm inner pivot bushing and rear spring). Remove and discard lower control arm and bushing inner pivot retaining nut.
3. Using floor jack, pre-load underside of lower control arm. Remove and discard lower control arm inner pivot bolt. Slowly lower control arm and bushing out of crossmember bracket until spring is completely relaxed.
4. Using a 1/2" diameter rotary file, elongate both crossmember bracket holes. (Scheme 6) If camber measured out of specification in the positive direction, go to next step. If camber measured out of specification in the negative direction, elongate crossmember bracket hole horizontally on inboard side, until slot length measures 0.94" (24 mm). Go to step 6).
5. If camber measured out of specification in the positive direction, elongate crossmember bracket hole horizontally on outboard side, until slot length measures 0.63" (16 mm). Go to next step.
6. Using floor jack, raise lower rear control arm and bushing back up into crossmember bracket. Using Rear Camber Adjustment Kit (E7DZ-5K751-A), install new inner pivot cam bolt from front side of crossmember.
7. Install cam bolt with 2 new tab washers between crossmember bracket and control arm inner pivot bushing. Install new cam washer and nut. Tighten cam bolt nut to 40-55 ft. lbs. (54-74 N.m). Repeat procedure for opposite side.
8. Reinstall stabilizer bar brackets and parking brake cable bracket. Tighten stabilizer bar bracket-to-lower control arm bolts to 14-19 ft. lbs. (19-26 N.m)

Scheme 6

CASTER ADJUSTMENT

Caster is not adjustable. If caster is not within specification, check for damaged suspension components, deteriorated bushings or distorted body mounting points.

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. Tighten tie rod end adjusting sleeve clamp bolt or lock nut.

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT (REAR)

Loosen front lower 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 7)

Scheme 7

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (SEDAN & WAGON)