Camber and Caster Adjustment
Camber and Caster Adjustment 4X4
Special Tool(s)
1. CAUTION: Do not bend axles or radius arms to change alignment.
Using an alignment rack and manufacturer's instructions, measure the caster and camber.
^ Refer to Alignment Specifications for optimal alignment settings.
^ If the caster and camber values are not within specification, go to the next step.
2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
3. Remove the front wheel(s).
4. Remove the cotter pin and the castellated nut from the upper ball Joint. Discard the cotter pin.
5. Loosely reinstall the castellated nut.
6. Loosen the nut to the end of the lower ball joint stud.
7. CAUTION: Use care not to damage the brake and vacuum lines when striking the spindle.
Separate the spindle from the axle.
8. Remove the castellated nut from the upper ball joint.
9. Using the special tool, remove the existing LH and RH adjuster sleeves. All vehicles are built by the assembly plant with a non-adjustable camber/caster sleeve.
1 Service adjusters have an eight-sided flange with the camber/caster adjustment range stamped into the bottom (0 degree, 1/4 degree, 1/2 degree, 3/4 degree or 1 degree).
2 Production adjusters have a round flange with a flattened edge. The amounts of pre-set camber and caster are stamped into the top of the adjuster.
10. Install interim 0 degree service adjusters to both sides of the vehicle.
11. Install the castellated nut to the upper ball joint.
12. Install the front wheel(s) and check caster and camber readings with the 0 degree service adjusters installed.
13. Calculate the maximum amount of camber and/or caster adjustment required to achieve the optimal settings, as provided in the Alignment Specifications table, by subtracting the measured values from the optimal target values. Example: For a 4x4 LH side:
^ Optimal camber spec target = 0.25 � 0.75.
^ Optimal LH caster spec target = 3.63 � 2.0.
^ Measured camber = 1.2 (out-of-spec).
^ Measured caster = 3.0. (within spec).
^ Required camber adjustment = 0.25 - 1.2 -0.95.
^ Preferred LH caster adjustment = 3.63 - 3.0 = 0.63, however not required.
14. Using the Camber/Caster Service Adjuster table, determine the appropriate replacement service adjuster needed to correct alignment. There is usually more than one combination of service adjuster and orientation that can be chosen to achieve alignment measurements within specifications. If a compromise is required, choose the adjuster and orientation which optimizes the camber value and maximizes the caster value.
Example: continuing the above example,
^ Choose an adjuster with a 1 degree adjustment circle.
^ Set the adjuster to the 180 degree position to achieve a -1 degree camber and 0 degree caster shift setting.
NOTE: When selecting a replacement service adjuster to achieve the desired amount of camber and caster offsets, caution is required to make sure that all other alignment characteristics (camber split, caster split and individual caster) are maintained to within their specified ranges. When in doubt which service adjuster to choose, make the selection which achieves measured results closest to the optimal targets in the following order of priority:
- caster split
- individual camber
- camber split
- individual caster
15. Remove the castellated nut from the upper ball joint.
16. Using the special tool, remove the 0 degree service adjusters and install the appropriate replacement service adjusters to the correct rotational orientation specified in the Camber/Caster Service Adjuster table.
17. Tighten the lower ball Joint nut to the interim torque.
18. Install the castellated nut and a new cotter pin.
19. Tighten the lower ball joint nut to final torque 204 Nm (150 ft. lbs.).
20. Install the front wheel(s). Final check the alignment. If not optimal caster/camber specification, alternate service adjuster selection or rotational orientation of the adjuster is required.
Once the optimal caster/camber has been achieved, reset the total toe and clear vision to specification, if required.