Wheel Alignment
STANDARD PROCEDURE - WHEEL ALIGNMENT1. Position the vehicle on an alignment rack.
2. Perform the PRE-WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION.
3. Install all required alignment equipment on the vehicle per the alignment equipment manufacturer's instructions. On this vehicle, a four-wheel alignment is recommended.
NOTE: Prior to reading the vehicle's alignment readouts, the front and rear of vehicle should be jounced. Induce jounce (rear first, then front) by grasping the center of the bumper and jouncing each end of vehicle an equal number of times. The bumper should always be released when vehicle is at the bottom of the jounce cycle.
4. Read the vehicle's current front and rear alignment settings. Compare the vehicle's current alignment settings to the vehicle specifications for camber, caster and toe-in.
NOTE: Set the rear wheel alignment first before proceeding to the front to set the front wheel alignment.
5. If rear camber or toe is not within specifications, proceed to REAR CAMBER AND TOE below. If rear camber and toe are within specifications, but front camber and caster are not, proceed to FRONT CAMBER AND CASTER which can be found following REAR CAMBER AND TOE. If rear camber and toe, and front camber and caster are within specifications, proceed to FRONT TOE.
Rear Caster on this vehicle is not adjustable and is not shown as an alignment specification.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to adjust the vehicle's wheel alignment by heating, bending or modifying any component of the suspension.
REAR CAMBER AND TOE
Fig. 7:
Rear Camber on this vehicle is adjustable. The rear camber on this vehicle is adjusted using the adjusting screw located in the forward and rear lateral links of the vehicles rear suspension.
CAUTION: When checking the rear alignment on this vehicle, the alignment rack must be equipped with rear skid plates.
1. For either rear wheel needing alignment, loosen the adjusting screw jam nuts on both the front and the rear lateral links.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to move the adjusting screws without properly loosening the tam nuts. Note that each adjusting screw has one right handed nut and one left-handed nut.
Fig. 8:
CAUTION: When setting rear camber and toe on the vehicle, the maximum lengths of the adjustable lateral link at the locations shown must not be exceeded. If these maximum lengths are exceeded, inadequate retention of adjustment link to the inner and outer link may result.
2. Rough-in the rear camber setting as close as possible to the preferred specification by mainly adjusting the rear lateral link adjusting screw. Some adjustment of the forward lateral link adjusting screw will also be required to get the rear camber setting to the preferred specification.
3. Adjust the forward lateral link adjusting screw to set rear toe to the preferred specification.
NOTE: Adjusting toe will cause a slight change in the camber setting. If during the setting of toe, camber is no longer at the preferred specification, continue to adjust camber and toe until both are at their preferred specifications.
4. While holding adjustment screws from turning, use a crow foot and torque wrench, and tighten all lateral link adjusting screw jam nuts to a torque of 92 Nm (68 ft. lbs.). This will securely hold the adjusting screws from turning.
5. Proceed to FRONT CASTER AND CAMBER, or FRONT TOE if front caster and camber are within specifications.
FRONT CAMBER AND CASTER
Camber and caster settings on this vehicle are determined at the time the vehicle is designed, by the location of the vehicle's suspension components. This is referred to as NET BUILD. The result is no required adjustment of camber and caster after the vehicle is built or when servicing the suspension components. Thus, when performing a wheel alignment, caster and camber are not normally considered adjustable angles. Camber and caster should be checked to ensure they meet vehicle specifications.
If front camber is found not to meet alignment specifications, it can be adjusted using a procedure listed here. Before performing the camber adjustment procedure, inspect the suspension components for any signs of damage or bending.
CAMBER ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE
Fig. 9:
1. Open the hood and mark the position of all four shock assembly mounting bolts on the shock tower on the side of the vehicle requiring front camber adjustment.
2. Raise the vehicle by the frame until the tires and front suspension are not supporting the weight of the vehicle.
3. Loosen the shock assembly mounting bolts on the side marked in step 1. Loosen the bolts enough to allow adequate space for removal of the plastic locating pins that align the upper mounting bracket with the shock tower.
4. Remove and discard both plastic locating pins from the shock assembly upper mounting bracket using a punch or pliers.
NOTE: Do not leave the plastic locating pins in the cavity of the shock tower or mount. Objectionable noise may result.
5. Position the shock assembly inboard or outboard as required to adjust the camber. Make sure the fore and aft position is in the same as indicated by the marks made prior to adjustment, and also the forward and rearward bolts are moved equal amounts inward or outward.
NOTE: Do not attempt to enlarge any existing holes to increase adjustment range.
6. Torque the upper shock assembly mounting bolts to 90 Nm (68 ft. lbs.)
7. Lower the vehicle. Jounce the front and rear of vehicle an equal amount of times.
8. Check and adjust the front camber as necessary.
9. If toe readings obtained are not within the required specification range, adjust toe to meet the preferred specification setting. Toe is adjustable using the following procedure.
FRONT TOE
1. Center the steering wheel and lock in place using a steering wheel clamp.
CAUTION: Do not twist front inner tie rod to steering gear rubber boots during front wheel Toe adjustment.
Fig. 10:
2. Loosen front inner to outer tie rod end jam nuts. Grasp inner tie rods at serrations and rotate inner tie rods of steering gear to set front toe to the preferred toe specification.
3. Tighten tie rod jam nuts to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
4. Adjust steering gear to tie rod boots at the inner tie rod.
5. Remove steering wheel clamp.
6. Remove the alignment equipment.
7. Road test the vehicle to verify the steering wheel is straight and the vehicle does not wander or pull.