Front Suspension: Diagnosis Subaru Outback BR

INSPECTION

Check the following items before performing the wheel alignment measurement.

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1. Tire inflation pressure
2. Uneven wear of RH and LH tires, or difference of sizes
3. Tire runout
4. Excessive play and wear of ball joint
5. Excessive play and wear of tie-rod end
6. Excessive play of wheel bearing
7. Right and left wheel base imbalance
8. Deformation and excessive play of steering link
9. Deformation and excessive play of suspension parts Check, adjust and measure the wheel alignment in accordance with the procedures indicated in the figure.

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1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Empty the vehicle so that it is at "curb weight". (Empty the luggage compartment, load the spare tire, jack and service tools, and fill up the fuel tank.)
3. Set the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position, and stabilize the suspension by moving the vehicle in a straight line for 5 m (16 ft) or more.
4. Suspend a thread from the wheel arch (point "A" in the figure below) and affix at a position directly above the center of wheel.
5. Measure the distance between the point "A" and the center of wheel. TIRE SIZE SPECIFICATION Wheel arch height specification mm (in) (Tolerance: +12 mm -24 mm ( +0.47 in -0.94 in )) Tire size P205/60R16 P215/50R17 P225/50R17 225/45R18 P225/60R17 P215/70R16 Front 403 (15.9) 395 (15.6) 469 (18.5) REAR 392 (15.4) 387 (15.2) 474 (18.7)

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1. INSPECTION Place the front wheel on the turning radius gauge. Make sure the ground contact surfaces of the front and rear wheels are at the same height. Set the adapter into the center of wheel, and then set the wheel alignment gauge. Measure the camber angle in accordance with the operation manual for wheel alignment gauge. CAMBER ANGLE REFERENCE Model Camber (Difference between RH and LH 45' or less) P205/60R16 P215/50R17 -0°30'±0°45' P225/50R17 225/45R18 -0°15'±0°45' P225/60R17 P215/70R16 0°00'±0°45'
2. FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT When adjusting the camber, adjust it to the following value. FRONT CAMBER REFERENCE Model Camber (Difference between RH and LH 45' or less) P205/60R16 P215/50R17 -0°30'±0°30' P225/50R17 225/45R18 -0°15'±0°30' P225/60R17 P215/70R16 0°00'±0°30' Loosen the two self-locking nuts located at the front lower section of the strut. NOTE: When the adjusting bolt needs to be loosened or tightened, hold its head with a wrench and turn the self-locking nut. Turn the camber adjusting bolt so that the camber is set at specification. NOTE: Moving the adjusting bolt by one scale changes the camber by approximately 0°15'. CAMBER ANGLE REFERENCE To increase camber. Rotate the left side counterclockwise. Rotate the right side clockwise. CAMBER ANGLE REFERENCE To decrease camber. Rotate the left side clockwise. Rotate the right side counterclockwise. Tighten two new self-locking nuts. Tightening torque: 155 N.m (15.8 kgf-m, 114.3 ft-lb)

Scheme 8

1. INSPECTION Place the front wheel on the turning radius gauge. Make sure the ground contact surfaces of the front and rear wheels are at the same height. Set the adapter into the center of wheel, and then set the wheel alignment gauge. Measure the caster angle in accordance with the operation manual for wheel alignment gauge. CASTER ANGLE REFERENCE Model Caster P205/60R16 P215/50R17 5°55' P225/50R17 225/45R18 6°00' P225/60R17 P215/70R16 5°05'

Scheme 9

1. INSPECTION Place the vehicle on turning radius gauge. While depressing the brake pedal, turn the steering wheel fully to the left and right. With the steering wheel held at each fully turned position, measure both the inner and outer wheel steering angles. WHEEL STEERING ANGLES REFERENCE Model Inner wheel Outer wheel P205/60R16 P215/50R17 37.6°±1.5° 33.3°±1.5° P225/50R17 225/45R18 37.4°±1.5° 33.0°±1.5° P225/60R17 P215/70R16 38.4°±1.5° 34.1°±1.5°
2. ADJUSTMENT Turn the tie-rod to adjust the steering angle of both inner and outer wheels. Check the toe-in. NOTE: Correct the boot if it is twisted.

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1. INSPECTION Toe-in: 0±3 mm (0±0.12 in) Set the toe-in gauge in the position at wheel axis center height behind the right and left front tires. Place a mark at the center of both left and right tires, and measure distance "A" between the marks. Move the vehicle forward to rotate the tires 180°. NOTE: Be sure to rotate the tires in the forward direction. Measure the distance "B" between the left and right marks. Find toe-in using the following calculation: A - B = Toe-in
2. ADJUSTMENT When adjusting the toe-in, adjust it to the following value. Toe-in: 0±2 mm (0±0.08 in) Check that the left and right wheel steering angles are within specification. Loosen the left and right side steering tie-rod lock nuts. Turn the left and right tie-rods by equal amounts until the toe-in is at the specification. Both the left and right tie-rods are right-hand threaded. To increase toe-in, turn both tie-rods clockwise by equal amount (viewing from the inside of vehicle). Tighten the tie-rod lock nut. Tightening torque: 85 N.m (8.7 kgf-m, 62.7 ft-lb) NOTE: Check and correct the tie-rod boot if twisted.

Scheme 12

1. INSPECTION Toe-in: Except for OUTBACK model 0±3 mm (0±0.12 in) OUTBACK model 2±3 mm (0.08±0.12 in) Refer to FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN for rear toe-in inspection procedures. Ref. to «FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN»(ref-371907-S38168903812010091900000) , INSPECTION, Wheel Alignment.
2. ADJUSTMENT When adjusting, adjust it to the following value. Toe-in: Except for OUTBACK model 0±2 mm (0±0.08 in) OUTBACK model 2±2 mm (0.08±0.08 in) Loosen the self-locking nut on the inner side of front lateral link. NOTE: When loosening or tightening the adjusting bolt, hold the bolt head and turn the self-locking nut. Turn the adjusting bolt until toe-in is within the specification. NOTE: When the left and right wheels are adjusted for toe-in at the same time, the movement of one scale graduation changes toe-in by approx. 1.3 mm (0.05 in). TOE-IN ANGLE REFERENCE To increase toe-in. Rotate the left side clockwise. Rotate the right side counterclockwise. TOE-IN ANGLE REFERENCE To decrease toe-in. Rotate the left side counterclockwise. Rotate the right side clockwise. Attach and tighten a new self-locking nut. Tightening torque: 100 N.m (10.2 kgf-m, 73.8 ft-lb)

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1. INSPECTION Park the vehicle on a level surface. Move the vehicle 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) straight forward. Draw the center of loci for both the front and rear axles. Measure distance "L" between the center lines of the axle loci. Thrust angle: 0°±30' Less than 30' when "L" is 23 mm (0.9 in) or less
2. ADJUSTMENT When adjusting, adjust it to the following value. Thrust angle: 0°±20' Less than 20' when "L" is 15 mm (0.6 in) or less Make thrust angle adjustments by turning the toe-in adjusting bolts of the rear suspension equally in the same direction. When one rear wheel is adjusted in a toe-in direction, adjust the other rear wheel equally in toe-out direction, in order to make the thrust angle adjustment. When the left and right adjusting bolts are turned by one graduation, the thrust angle will change approx. 15' ("L" is approx. 11 mm (0.43 in)). NOTE: Thrust angle is a mean value of left and right wheel toe angles in relation to the vehicle body center line. Vehicle is driven straight in the thrust angle direction while slanting in the oblique direction depending on the degree of the mean thrust angle. Thrust angle: gamma = (α - β)/2 α: Rear RH wheel toe-in angle β: Rear LH wheel toe-in angle Substitute only the positive toe-in values from each wheel into a and p in the calculation.

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1. Set the vehicle on a lift.
2. Position the tilt position of the steering column to the lowest position, and lock the tilt lever.
3. Prevent the steering wheel from turning using the seat belt.
4. Remove the front wheels.
5. Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
6. Remove the air intake duct. Ref. to «REMOVAL»(ref-371894-S28286124812010091900000) , Air Intake Duct.
7. Remove the air intake boot assembly, (non-turbo model) Ref. to «REMOVAL»(ref-371894-S06764648272010091900000) , Air Intake Boot. Ref. to «REMOVAL»(ref-371896-S05520593882010091900000) , Air Intake Boot.
8. Remove the intercooler and the intercooler stay. (turbo model) Ref. to «REMOVAL»(ref-371895-S26814185912010091900000) , Intercooler.
9. Remove the clips and remove the grille bracket.
10. Remove the power steering hose bracket and power steering hose. Remove the clip and disconnect the hose from the pipe. Remove the power steering hose bracket. Remove the hose from the power steering pump. NOTE: Plug the holes to prevent foreign objects from entering the removed hose and pipe.
11. Remove the throttle body from the intake manifold. NOTE: Do not disconnect the inlet and outlet hoses of engine coolant.
12. Replace the engine hanger installed on the engine with the SUBARU genuine engine hanger (H4 - non-turbo model) or ST (H6 model). Tightening torque: 16 N.m (1.6 kgf-m, 11.8 ft-lb) H4 non-turbo model SUBARU genuine part 10004AA180 HANGER CP ENGINE RR H6 model ST 18360AA020 HANGER
13. Hang the engine using ST, chain sling and shackle. Set the ST on the vehicle. ST1 99099AJ000 ENGINE HANGER ST2 99099AJ010 CHAIN BALANCER CAUTION: Set the arms of ST (ENGINE HANGER) at the locations shown in the figure. Attach the shackle to the both ends of chain sling. Pass the chain sling through the CHAIN BALANCER and secure the both ends to the hooks on the engine. CAUTION: Set the chain sling so that it does not contact the engine parts. Use a chain sling with the diameter of 6 mm (0.24 in) or 6.3 mm (0.25 in), the length of 0.8 - 1 m (2.6 - 3.3 ft), the chain inner width of 8.5 mm (0.33 in) or more, the chain outer width of 23.5 mm (0.93 in) or less and the load capacity of 1.21 (2646 lb) or more. Use a shackle with the load capacity of 250 kg (551 lb) or more.
14. Remove the nuts connecting the main mount and the transmission mounting bracket.
15. Remove the universal joint. Ref. to «REMOVAL»(ref-371911-S09090447772010091900000) , Universal Joint.
16. Remove the front exhaust pipe.
17. Disconnect the front arm.
18. Disconnect the tie-rod end.
19. Attach the sling belt so that it wraps around the both frames using the shackle. CAUTION: Be sure to attach the sling belt to ensure safety in operation. Use a sling belt with the length of 2 m (6.6 ft), the width of 35 - 40 mm (1.38 - 1.57 in) and the load capacity of 11 (2205 lb) or more. Use a shackle with the load capacity of 0.51 (1103 lb) or more.
20. Remove the bolt on the front cushion rubber.
21. Support the cradle with a transmission jack and remove the bolts and nuts.
22. Remove the cradle from the vehicle. CAUTION: The cradle is heavy. Remove it carefully by paying attention to the balance.
23. To remove the stud bolt, use the ST. ST 20299AG020 STUD BOLT SOCKET CAUTION: Do not remove the stud bolt unnecessarily. Always replace the parts with new parts when removed.

1. Check the front arm for damage or cracks, and replace if defective.
2. Check the bushing for abnormal fatigue or damage.

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1. Lift up the vehicle, and then remove the front wheels.
2. Place an alignment mark on the camber adjusting bolt and strut.
3. Remove the brake hose bracket.
4. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor harness.
5. Remove the two bolts securing the housing to the strut. NOTE: While holding the head of the adjusting bolt, loosen the self-locking nut.
6. Remove the three nuts securing strut mount to body.

Check the removed part for wear, damage and cracks, and then repair or replace it if defective.

Scheme 39

1. Check for oil leaks.
2. Move the piston rod up and down to check that it operates smoothly without any hitch.
3. Piston rod play Measure the play as follows: Fix the outer shell in place and fully extend the rod. Set a dial gauge at the end of rod L [10 mm (0.39 in)], and then read the dial gauge indication P 1 while applying a force of W [20 N (2 kgf, 4 lbf)] to the threaded portion. Apply a force of 20 N (2 kgf, 4 lbf) from the opposite direction of "W", and then read the dial gauge indication P 2 . Play limit (P 1 + P 2 ): 0.8 mm (0.031 in) If the play exceeds limit, replace the strut.