Wheel Alignment Specifications & Adjustment Procedures: Adjustments Pontiac Vibe I

Measuring Wheel Alignment

Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. In order to diagnose a condition in the power steering system, refer to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - POWER STEERING SYSTEM . In order to diagnose a condition in the steering wheel and column, refer to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - STEERING COLUMN . In order to diagnose a condition in the suspension, refer to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS . In order to diagnose a vibration, refer to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS AND CORRECTION .

Before making any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, perform the following inspections and adjustments in order to ensure correct alignment readings

1. Inspect the tires for the following conditions: Pressure Wear Size Brand Construction Balance Runout
2. Inspect the runout of the wheels. Refer to «TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-187564-S21567717472005090100000) .
3. Inspect the wheel bearings for runout. Refer to «HUB/AXLE FLANGE AND WHEEL STUD RUNOUT INSPECTION»(ref-187564-S16105063132005090100000) .
4. Inspect the wheel bearings for looseness. Refer to WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS in Suspension General Diagnosis.
5. Inspect the following components for looseness or wear: The front knuckles The control arm ball studs The control arm bushings The outer tie rods The inner tie rods The steering gear The stabilizer shafts The front struts The rear coil springs The rear shock absorbers
6. Inspect the struts and the shock absorbers for leaks.
7. Inspect the vehicle trim height. Refer to TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE in Suspension General Diagnosis.
8. Inspect the remaining suspension and steering components for damage. Replace all damaged parts prior to adjusting wheel alignment.
9. Inspect the fuel level. The fuel tank should be full or the vehicle should have compensating ballast.

Give consideration to excess loads, such as tool boxes, sample cases, etc. If these items are normally in the vehicle, these items should remain in the vehicle during the alignment adjustments. Give consideration to the condition of the equipment being used for the alignment. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Satisfactory vehicle operation may occur over a wide range of alignment settings. However, if the setting exceeds the service allowable specifications, correct the alignment to the service preferred specifications. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (FWD) or WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (AWD) .

Perform the following steps to measure the front alignment angles

1. Install the alignment equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Perform the following procedure to normalize the suspension prior to measuring the angles: 2.1 Bounce the front bumper lightly 3 times. 2.2 Bounce the rear bumper lightly 3 times.
3. Measure the alignment angles.
4. Record the readings.
5. If the vehicle has 4WD, adjust the rear camber and the rear toe. Refer to «REAR CAMBER AND TOE ADJUSTMENT (AWD)»(ref-186591-S04092575782005083100000) .
6. Adjust the front camber. Refer to «FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT»(ref-186591-S01705885012005083100000) .
7. Adjust the front toe. Refer to «FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT»(ref-186591-S40661589872005083100000) .

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

1. If the front camber is not within the service allowable range, estimate how much you need to move the front camber. Select the appropriate combination of bolts in order to move the front camber to the specification. Refer to «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (FWD)»(ref-186591-S04330278252005083100000) or «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (AWD)»(ref-186591-S31924491582005083100000) . In order to move the camber +/- 0.25 degree, use bolt (1) in the upper bolt position and bolt (2) in the lower bolt position. In order to move the camber +/- 0.50 degree, use bolt (1) in the upper bolt position and bolt (3) in the lower bolt position. In order to move the camber +/- 0.75 degree, use bolt (1) in the upper bolt position and bolt (4) in the lower bolt position. In order to move the camber +/- 1.00 degree, use bolt (2) in the upper bolt position and bolt (4) in the lower bolt position. In order to move the camber +/- 1.25 degree, use bolt (3) in the upper bolt position and bolt (4) in the lower bolt position. In order to move the camber +/- 1.50 degree, use bolt (4) in the upper bolt position and bolt (4) in the lower bolt position.
2. Raise and support the front of the vehicle with the alignment equipment. Refer to «LIFTING AND JACKING THE VEHICLE»(ref-186583-S07211453552005090100000) .
3. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in Tires and Wheels.
4. Remove the 2 nuts (3, 4) on the lower side of the strut.
5. If necessary, remove the old bolt from the upper bolt position (2) and install the new bolt.
6. If necessary, remove the old bolt from the lower bolt position (1) and install the new bolt. Important: DO NOT fully tighten the nuts.
7. Temporarily install the 2 nuts.
8. Install the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in Tires and Wheels. Important: The weight of the vehicle must be on the tires.
9. Lower the vehicle onto the alignment equipment.
10. Measure the alignment.
11. Push or pull on the top of the tire and wheel assembly in order to move the camber to the specification.
12. Verify the cross camber is within the specification. NOTE: Refer to «FASTENER NOTICE»(ref-175132-S17785009232005041500000) .
13. Tighten the nuts and the bolts in order to retain the strut to the knuckle. Tighten Tighten the nuts and the bolts to 220 N.m (162.3 lb ft).
14. Measure the alignment.
15. Adjust the camber if necessary.

Scheme 13

1. Verify the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead position.
2. Loosen the nut (3). NOTE: Care must be taken that the boots are not twisted when rotating the inner tie rods, or damage to the boots may result.
3. Remove the clamp from the steering gear boot.
4. Rotate the inner tie rod (1) in order to adjust the toe to the specification. Refer to «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (FWD)»(ref-186591-S04330278252005083100000) or «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (AWD)»(ref-186591-S31924491582005083100000) .
5. Verify the number of threads visible on the right inner tie rod is the same as the number of threads on the left inner tie rod. NOTE: Refer to «FASTENER NOTICE»(ref-175132-S17785009232005041500000) .
6. Tighten the nut to the outer tie rod (4). Tighten Tighten the nut to 74 N.m (54.6 lb ft).
7. Measure the alignment.
8. Adjust the toe if necessary.
9. Verify the boots are not twisted.
10. Install the clamps to the steering gear boots.

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

1. Loosen the nut on the upper control arm cam bolt.
2. Loosen the nut on the lower control arm cam bolt.
3. Rotate the cam bolts in order to adjust the camber and the toe to the specification. Refer to «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (FWD)»(ref-186591-S04330278252005083100000) or «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (AWD)»(ref-186591-S31924491582005083100000) .
4. Measure the distance from the lower left control arm bracket to the right rear crossmember bolt.
5. Measure the distance from the lower right control arm bracket to the left rear crossmember bolt.
6. Verify the difference between measurement (a) and measurement (b) are within the specification. Specification The difference between measurement (a) and measurement (b) should be 6 mm (0.24 in) or less.
7. Tighten the nuts on the control arm cam bolts. Tighten Tighten the nuts to 74 N.m (54.6 lb ft).
8. Measure the alignment.
9. Adjust the rear camber and toe if necessary.