Alignment: Service and Repair
Wheel AlignmentThe suspension can be adjusted for front and rear toe.
Pre-Alignment Checks
For proper inspection and adjustment of the wheel alignment, do these checks:
1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Make sure the suspension is not modified.
3. Check the tire size and tire pressure.
Tire size:
Front/Rear: P215/50R17 93V
Tire pressure (at cold):
Front: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi)
Rear: 210 kPa (2.1 kgf/cm2, 30 psi)
4. Check the runout of the wheels and tires.
5. Check the suspension ball joints. (Hold a tire with your hands, and move it up and down and right and left to check for wobbling.)
6. Bounce the vehicle up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.
7. Check that the steering column is set at the center tilt and telescopic position.
Caster Inspection
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Check the caster angle.
Caster angle: 3° 13' ± 45' (Maximum difference between the right and left side: 0° 45')
2. If out of specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.
Camber Inspection
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Check the camber angle.
Camber angle:
Front: 0° 00' ± 45'
Rear: -1° 00' ± 30'(Maximum difference between the right and left side: 0° 45')
2. If out of specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.
Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Center the steering wheel spokes, and install a steering wheel holder tool.
2. Check the toe with the wheels pointed straight ahead.
Front toe-in: 0 ± 2 mm (0 ± 0.08 in.)
^ If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
^ If no adjustment is required, go to rear toe inspection/adjustment.
3. Loosen the tie-rod locknuts (A) while holding the flat surface sections (B) of the tie-rod end with a wrench, and turn both rack ends (C) until the front toe is within specifications.
4. After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts. Reposition the rack-rod boot if it is twisted or displaced.
5. Go to rear toe inspection/adjustment.
Rear Toe Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Check the toe.
Rear toe-in: 2 ± 2 mm (0.08 ± 0.08 in.)
^ If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
^ If no adjustment is required, remove the alignment equipment.
3. Hold the adjusting bolt (A) on the rear control arm (B), and loosen the self-locking nut (C).
4. Replace the self-locking nut with a new one, and lightly tighten it.
NOTE: Always use a new self-locking nut whenever it has been loosened.
5. Adjust the rear toe by turning the adjusting bolt until the toe is correct.
6. Tighten the self-locking nut while holding the adjusting bolt.
Turning Angle Inspection
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Turn the wheel right and left while applying the brake, and measure the turning angle of both wheels.
2. If the turning angle is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.
Wheel Bearing End Play Inspection
1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the wheels.
3. Install suitable flat washers (A) and the wheel nuts, and torque to the specified torque.
4. Attach the dial gauge. Place the dial gauge against the hub flange.
5. Measure the bearing end play moving the brake disc inward and outward.
Front/Rear:
Standard: 0-0.05 mm (0-0.002 in.)
6. If the bearing end play measurement is more than the standard, replace the wheel bearing or the hub bearing unit.
Wheel Runout Inspection
1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Check for a bent or deformed wheel.
3. Set up the dial gauge as shown, and measure the axial runout by turning the wheel.
4. Reset the dial gauge to the position shown, and measure the radial runout.
5. If the wheel runout is not within the specification, check the wheel bearing end play, and make sure the mating surfaces on the brake disc and the inside of the wheel are clean.
6. If the bearing end play is within the specification but the wheel runout is more than the service limit, replace the wheel.