Front Wheel Alignment

Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. Another possibility is tire ``lead'' due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. ``Lead'' is the vehicles's deviation from a straight path on a level road without pressure on the steering wheel.


Before making any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, make the following checks to ensure correct alignment readings and alignment adjustments.
1. Check all tires for proper inflation pressures and ensure that all tires have approximately equal tread wear.
2. Check hub and bearing assemblies for excessive wear, correcting as necessary.
3. Check ball joints and tie rod ends. If they are excessively loose, correct before making adjustment.
4. Check run out of wheels and tires.
5. Check vehicle trim height, correcting as necessary before adjusting alignment.
6. Check strut dampers for proper operation.
7. Check control arms for loose bushings.
8. Check stabilizer bar for loose or missing parts.

Consideration must also be given to excess loads, such as tool boxes or sample cases. If these items are normally carried in the vehicle, they should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments.

Consideration should be given to condition of equipment being used to adjust alignment. Be sure to follow equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Regardless of equipment being used, vehicle must be on level surface, both fore and aft and sideways.


MEASURING FRONT ALIGNMENT ANGLES

Fig. 1 Front end alignment angles:

Install alignment equipment following equipment manufacturer's instructions. Measure alignment angles, Fig. 1, and record the readings. If adjustments are necessary, they must be made in order; caster first, camber second and toe third. Jounce front and rear bumpers 3 times to normalize suspension prior to measuring angles.


CASTER ADJUSTMENT

Fig. 2 Adjusting front wheel caster:

1. Loosen but do not remove, 2 of 3 top strut attaching nuts covering slotted mounting holes, Fig. 2, then remove nut over remaining oval strut mounting hole.
2. Move washer away from oval strut mounting hole.
3. Lift front of vehicle by body to separate strut from inner wheel house.
4. Drill two 11/32 inch holes at front and rear of oval strut mounting hole, then file away excess metal.
5. Lower front of vehicle and install washer and nut.
6. Adjust caster by moving top of strut forward or rearward.
7. Torque top strut attaching nuts to 18 ft. lbs.


CAMBER ADJUSTMENT

Fig. 3 Adjusting front wheel camber:

1. Loosen both strut to knuckle bolts just enough to allow movement.
2. Adjust camber by turning camber adjustment bolt, Fig. 3.
3. Torque strut to knuckle nuts to 140 ft. lbs.
4. Torque camber adjustment bolt to 7 ft. lbs.


TOE ADJUSTMENT

Fig. 4 Adjusting front wheel toe:

1. Loosen locknut on inner tie rods, Fig. 4.
2. Adjust toe by turning inner tie rods.
3. Adjust boots so that they are not twisted.
4. Torque locknuts to 45 ft. lbs.