RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Note. Prior to performing wheel alignment, perform preliminary visual and mechanical inspection of wheels, tires and suspension components. See PRE-ALIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS in WHEEL ALIGNMENT THEORY & OPERATION article in GENERAL INFORMATION.
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 and luggage compartments for extra heavy items and remove if present. Riding height between left and right side of vehicle should vary less than 1" (25.4 mm). Ride height specification is not available from manufacturer.
CAMBER ADJUSTMENT
Note. Adjust the camber angle if it lies outside the 0° +/- 1° tolerance when checked. The variation between left and right sides must not exceed 1°.
Front Adjustment
- Raise car and remove wheel(s). On vehicles with sleeves in the stub axles, remove the upper sleeve. If necessary, remove both sleeves from the stub axle, depending on how large the adjustment needs to be. A sleeve gives an angle change of approximately 0.5°. For both sleeves the change is approximately 1°. (Scheme 1)
- On vehicle without sleeves in the stub axles, replace bolts and nuts and adjust. Install new bolts and nuts to stub axles. Tighten the bolts lightly, but not more than that the stub axle can be moved with some resistance, in or out in relation to the shock absorber strut. Turn stub axle in or out as far as the play between the holes and screw allows. Tighten both the bolts to 48 ft. lbs. (65 N.m) and angle-tighten an additional 90°. Recheck camber angle.
Scheme 1
Rear Adjustment
Note. Rear camber is not adjustable.
If camber angle is not to specification, check for trailing arm damage.
CASTER ADJUSTMENT
Note. Rear caster is not adjustable.
Check front caster angle on both sides of vehicle. Caster angle can vary by one degree maximum between right and left sides. No additional caster adjustment information is available from manufacturer.
To adjust toe-in, lengthen or shorten tie-rod ends as necessary. Loosen lock nuts and adjust tie rods. Maximum possible variation in length between tie rods is 2 mm. Take measurement between edge of thread and lock nut. After tightening, apply rust proofing to tie rod threads.
Rear Adjustment (FWD Models)
- To adjust toe-in, loosen transverse arm nuts. (Scheme 2) Move transverse arms forward or rearward until correct value is obtained. Tighten one nut on each transverse arm anchor to lock it in relation to other trailing arm.
- Replace other bolts and nuts that are not tightened with new bolts or nuts. Tighten nuts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 N.m), then tighten an additional 120 degrees. Replace 2 previously tightened bolts and nuts. Tighten to specification.
Scheme 2
Rear Adjustment (AWD Models)
Unscrew the nut for inner bolt on the track rod slightly. Adjust by turning the eccentric bolts to increase or decrease toe-in. (Scheme 3) Tighten bolt to 66 ft. lbs. (90 N.m).
