Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Front

Fig. 1 Aligning front suspension:




Fig. 2 Loosening alignment plate:





CASTER & CAMBER
1. Prior to aligning the front end, the sub-frame alignment must be checked using the following procedure.
a. Loosen sub-frame to body attaching bolts.
b. Install a {3-4} inch outside diameter pipe or similar tool into left front sub-frame and body alignment holes, Fig. 1.
c. Align left front sub-frame and body alignment holes, then slightly tighten left front sub-frame attaching bolt.
d. Repeat steps b and c on right front alignment holes, then recheck left front alignment.
e. Torque sub-frame attaching bolts to 65---100 ft. lbs.
2. Center punch spot welds on both strut alignment plates, then loosen strut attaching nuts, Fig. 2.
3. Using Rotunda Spot-Eze or equivalent, remove spot welds. Do not drill deeper than thickness of alignment plates.
4. Remove strut attaching nuts, then the alignment plates.
5. Remove burrs from strut towers and alignment plates, then paint all exposed metal on strut towers and alignment plates.
6. Install alignment plates, then loosely install strut attaching nuts.
7. Align front end, then torque strut attaching nuts to 20---30 ft. lbs.

Fig. 3 Rivet hole location:





8. Drill three {1-8} inch holes as indicated in Fig. 3, through alignment plates and strut towers, then paint exposed metal. Do not drill deeper than {3-8} inch into strut tower.
9. Install three {1-8} inch diameter pop rivets with a grip range of {1-4} inch into alignment plate/strut tower.

TOE-IN
To adjust toe-in, lock steering wheel in straight ahead position using suitable steering wheel holder. Loosen and slide off small outer clamps from steering boot to prevent boot from twisting during adjustment procedure. Loosen tie rod adjusting, then adjust left and right tie rods until each wheel has {1-2} the desired total toe specification. Tighten tie rod adjusting nuts and install clamps. Remove steering wheel holding tool.