Alignment: Service and Repair

Measuring Wheel Alignment
Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. One possible cause is wheel and tire imbalance. Another possibility is tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. Lead/pull is defined as follows: At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull is the amount of effort required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle's straight path. Lead is the vehicle deviation from a straight path on a level road without pressure on the steering wheel. Refer to Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction in order to determine if the vehicle has a tire lead problem.

Before performing any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, perform the following inspections and adjustments in order to ensure correct alignment readings:
^ Inspect the tires for the proper inflation and irregular tire wear. Refer to Label - Vehicle Certification, Tire Place Card, Anti-Theft and Service Parts ID and Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear.
^ Inspect the runout of the wheels and the tires. Refer to Tire and Wheel Runout Specifications.
^ Inspect the wheel bearings for backlash and excessive play. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis.
^ Inspect the ball joints and tie rod ends for looseness or wear.
^ Inspect the control arms and stabilizer shaft for looseness or wear.
^ Inspect the steering gear for looseness at the frame. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications.
^ Inspect the struts/shock absorbers for wear, leaks, and any noticeable noises. Refer to Struts or Shock Absorbers On-Vehicle Testing.
^ Inspect the vehicle trim height. Refer to Trim Height Inspection Procedure.
^ Inspect the steering wheel for excessive drag or poor return due to stiff or rusted linkage or suspension components.
^ Inspect the fuel level. The fuel tank should be full or the vehicle should have a compensating load added.

Give consideration to excess loads, such as tool boxes, sample cases, etc. If normally carried in the vehicle, these items should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments. Give consideration also to the condition of the equipment being used for the alignment. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Satisfactory vehicle operation may occur over a wide range of alignment settings. However, if the setting exceeds the service allowable specifications, correct the alignment to the service preferred specifications. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.

Perform the following steps in order to measure the front and rear alignment angles:
1. Install the alignment equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Jounce the front and the rear bumpers 3 times prior to checking the wheel alignment.
3. Measure the alignment angles and record the readings.

4. Important: When performing adjustments to vehicles requiring a 4-wheel alignment, set the rear wheel alignment angles first in order to obtain proper front alignment angles.

Adjust alignment angles to vehicle specification, if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.

Front Caster Adjustment (FE1, FE3)

1. Remove the top strut mounting bolts.
2. Lift the front of the vehicle by the body to separate the strut from the inner wheel house. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.

3. Using a round file, enlarge the bolt hole opening in the strut tower at the front and rear of the strut mounting holes on the left and right strut towers.
4. Pull out the guide pins.
5. File the excess metal to make the slotted holes.
6. Paint the exposed metal with rust preventive paint or primer.
7. Lower the front of the vehicle.
8. Install the strut attaching bolts, but do not tighten them at this time.
9. Adjust the caster by moving the top of the strut forward or rearward. A 1 mm (0.040 inch) position change at the tower is about equal to 0.1 degree change in caster. Set the caster to the required specification.

10. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Tighten the strut tower bolts.
Tighten the strut mounting bolts to 66 Nm (49 ft. lbs.).
11. Recheck the caster setting after tightening.
12. Readjust the caster setting if necessary.

Front Camber Adjustment (FE1, FE3)

^ Tools Required
- J 39601 Camber Adjustment Tool

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tires and wheels.

3. Important: Do not allow bolts to turn this will ruin the serrated shoulder.

Remove the nuts from the strut bolts.
4. Tap out the upper and lower bolts from the strut and knuckle.
5. Separate the strut from the knuckle.

Important: It may be necessary to grind the lower bolt hole on the strut to achieve proper camber setting.

If camber specification is not achieved by this procedure check for bent or worn parts.
6. Using a round file or a die grinder file the inner metal plate to the outside plates diameter.
7. File excess metal to make the slotted holes.
8. Paint the exposed metal with rust preventive paint or primer.
9. Replace the strut to the knuckle.

10. Install both the upper and lower bolts.
11. Do not tighten at this time (leave loose).

12. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Using J 39601 set camber to specification. It may be necessary to remove one of the arms of the J 39601 in order to install it.
Tighten the upper strut to knuckle nut to 147 Nm (108 ft. lbs.).
13. Remove the J 39601 camber adjustment tool.
Tighten the lower strut to knuckle nut to 147 Nm (108 ft. lbs.).
14. Replace the tire and wheel.
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Perform a wheel alignment.

Front Camber Adjustment (FE7)

^ Tools Required
- J 39601 Camber Adjustment Tool

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tires and wheels.

3. Important: Do not allow bolts to turn this will ruin the serrated shoulder.

Remove the nuts from the strut bolts.
4. Tap out the upper and lower bolt from the strut and knuckle.
5. Separate the strut from the knuckle.

Important: It may be necessary to grind the lower bolt hole on the strut to achieve proper camber setting.

If camber specification is not achieved by this procedure check for bent or worn parts.
6. Using a round file or a die grinder file the inner metal plate to the outside plates diameter.
7. File excess metal to make the slotted holes.
8. Paint the exposed metal with rust preventive paint or primer.
9. Replace the strut to the knuckle.

1. Loosen the jam nut (2) on the tie rod.

2. Notice: Care must be taken so that the boots are not twisted when rotating the inner tie rod, or damage to the boots may result.

Rotate the inner tie rod to the required toe specification setting.

3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Tighten the jam nut on the tie rods.
Tighten the jam nut to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.).
4. Recheck the toe settings after tightening the jam nut.
5. Readjust the toe setting if necessary.

Rear Toe Adjustment (FE1, FE3)

1. Important: Complete the left and right rear toe adjustments separately, per wheel. Use the following procedure.

Loosen the cam lock nut (1) on the adjustment link.

2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

In order to adjust the toe, rotate the cam bolt using an 8 mm socket.
Tighten the cam lock nut to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).

Rear Toe Adjustment (FE7)