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).
CAMBER ADJUSTMENT
Note. After adjusting camber, check toe-in.
Front Adjustment
- Front camber angle can be adjusted by altering the fixing bolt hole position for the upper spring strut mount. Remove front nut in spring strut upper retaining plate. Using a soft-faced hammer, remove front press bolt.
- Loosen rear bolt on retaining plate. Set Wrench (5038) on rear bolt and turn suspension assembly so hole in retaining plate passes hole in suspension tower at least.12" (3 mm). (Scheme 1) Mark position when hole can no longer be seen and turn wrench an additional.12" (3 mm).
- Mark position of new hole with a punch. Tighten rear nut to 35 ft. lbs. (48 N.m) so strut will not move out of position.
- Drill a new hole in retaining plate, through hole in top of suspension tower. Use care not to damage hole in suspension tower. Install and tighten front press bolt and nut. Tighten bolt in retaining plate. Remove front press bolt and replace with new bolt, nut and lock washer. Tighten bolt to 35 ft. lbs. (48 N.m).
Scheme 1
Rear Adjustment
- Under normal driving conditions, rear camber adjustment is not necessary. If camber reading is not to specification, check and replace bent or worn rear suspension parts as necessary. See «RWD - REAR SUSPENSION»(ref-121698) article.
- If rear suspension parts are okay, tap out upper and lower rear axle beam guide pins. (Scheme 2) Remove lower rear axle beam bolts. Move lower beam sideways as far as free play in bolt holes will permit. Moving lower rear axle beam.04" (1 mm) changes camber.25 degree (15 minutes). Tighten beam bolts alternately from center to 63 ft. lbs. (80 N.m).
Scheme 2
CASTER ADJUSTMENT
Note. Rear caster is not adjustable.
Front caster angle can be adjusted by replacing the control arm strut. A shorter strut reduces caster angle. A longer strut increases caster angle.
To adjust toe-in, lengthen or shorten tie-rod ends as necessary. Loosen lock nuts and adjust tie rods. Longer rods will result in a larger angle and shorter rods will result in a smaller angle. 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.
To adjust rear toe-in, turn eccentric joint on track rod to increase or reduce toe-in. (Scheme 3)
