Alignment: Service and Repair

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION

Prior to performing the front wheel alignment, a preliminary inspection should be made to determine the condition of the vehicle's suspension components. The following checks and procedures should be made prior to performing front wheel alignment:
1. Vehicle must be level.
2. Inflate tires to specified pressure (cold).
3. Check vehicle ride height.
4. Inspect all suspension and steering components for looseness.
5. Check existing caster, camber, and toe settings prior to alignment.
6. Check all suspension fasteners for proper tightness.
7. Alignment rack must be leveled to 1/16 of an inch, side to side and front to rear and be equipped with wheel runout compensation.
8. Do not attempt to adjust alignment by heating or bending.

Caster and camber can be adjusted by loosening the bolts that attach the upper suspension arm to the shaft at the frame side rail, and moving the arm assembly in or out in the elongated bolt holes. Since any movement of the arm affects both caster and camber, both factors should be balanced against one another when making the adjustment.

CASTER

Caster & Camber Adjusting Tools:

1. To adjust caster, install the adjusting tool as shown.
2. Loosen both upper arm inner shaft retaining bolts and move either front or rear of the shaft in or out as necessary to increase or decrease caster angle. Then tighten bolt to retain adjustment.

CAMBER
1. Loosen both upper arm inner retaining bolts and move both front and rear ends of shaft inward or outward as necessary to increase or decrease camber angle.
2. Tighten bolts and recheck caster and readjust if necessary.

TOE-IN
1. Position the front wheels in their straight-ahead position.
2. Turn both tie rod adjusting sleeves an equal amount until the desired toe-in setting is obtained.