Steering/Alignment - Vehicle Drifts Left
Article No. 86-18-7SUSPENSION - FRONT - VEHICLE DRIFTS LEFT - 2.3L EFI TURBO
FORD 1985-86 THUNDERBIRD
LINCOLN-MERCURY 1985-86 COUGAR
Figure 16:
Slight drifting or pulling to the left may be caused by an incorrect caster adjustment. To correct this, it may be necessary to fabricate shims and install them on the rear of the number two crossmember, refer to Figure
16. Use the diagnostic/repair procedure below to service this condition.
1. Check all tires for correct air pressure. If vehicle is equipped with Goodyear directional tires, make sure they are mounted on the correct side of vehicle.
2. Using alignment equipment, check vehicle caster, camber and toe setting and record. Reset camber and toe to specification, if required. Side to side values should be maintained.
Camber should be set as close to 0~ as possible, with the right side having the most positive value. Toe should also be set as close to 0~ as possible.
3. If required, caster can be adjusted by loosening the No. 2 crossmember attaching bolts and shifting the position of the crossmember forward or rearward.
Figure 16:
Figure 17:
4. Additional caster adjustment can be obtained on the left side by shimming the rear of the No. 2 crossmember (Figure 16) with fabricated shims (Figure 17). Shims must be covered with D8AZ- 19515-B, Super Seal Anti-Corrosion, before installation.
NOTE: When shimming the crossmember, shims must be installed at the top and bottom. See chart for shim thickness and caster change.
SHIM USAGE CHART
No. Of Top Shim Boftom Shim Caster Degree
Shims Thickness Thickness Of Increase
1 1/64 inch 1/32 inch 0.093
0.40 mm 0.80 mm
2 1/32 inch 1/16 inch 0.187
0.80 mm 1.60 mm
4 1/16 inch 1/8 inch 0.375
1.60 mm 3.20 mm
5. If shims are installed on the top and bottom, the top bolt(s) must be torqued first (85-110 ft.lbs.), then torque the bottom bolts (60-90 ft.lbs.).
6. After adjustments are made, road test vehicle at constant speed on a flat surface. If the same condition exists, tires may be switched from front to rear on directional rotation tires. Standard or non-directional tires may be switched from left to right.
NOTE: A known set of standard tires and wheels may be installed to check tire influence on the original tires.
PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS
D8AZ-19515-B Super Seal Anti-Corrosion AM
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Reimbursable within the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual.
OPERATION: SP3001C86 - Correction without shims
TIME: 1.8 Hrs.
OPERATION: SP3001D86 - Correction with shims
TIME: 2.9 Hrs. DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. FRONT - Code: 36