Rear Axle Alignment

1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist to allow the rear axle housing be freely suspended.





2. Using white chalk or paint, mark a small area at the center of each rear tire and draw a vertical line on it.





3. Adjust both wheels so that the markings face the front of the vehicle. Using a tape measure, measure the distance between marks and record this reading Front reading).





4. Rotate the rear wheels so the markings are directly underneath the vehicle. Measure the distance between the marks and record this reading (bottom reading).





5. Rotate the rear wheels so the markings face the rear of the vehicle. Measure and record the distance between marks (rear reading).
6. The difference between the front and rear readings is the toe-out or toe-in condition of the housing (Steps 3 and 5). Toe-in occurs when the front reading is less than the rear reading.
Example:
a. Front reading: 157.9 cm (62-3/16 inch)
b. Rear reading: 157.6 cm (62-1/16 inch)
c. Toe-Out: 3.1 mm (1/8 inch)
7. To determine camber, find the average of the front and rear readings (obtained in Steps 3 and 5). Then subtract the bottom reading from this (obtained in Step 4). Positive (+) camber is when the bottom reading is less than the average of the front and rear readings. Negative (-) camber is when the bottom reading is greater than the average of the front and rear readings.
Example:
a. Average of front and rear readings: 158.1 cm (62-1/8 inch)
b. Bottom reading: 158.1 cm (62-1/8 inch)
c. Difference or camber: 0 mm (0 inch)
8. Results of the measurements taken must conform to the following specifications:
Camber: 0-3.9 mm (0-5/32 inch)
Toe-in: 0-1.58 mm (0-1/16 inch)
Toe-out: 0-4.7 mm (0-3/16 inch)
If the rear axle assembly does not meet this specification, it must be replaced.
9. If rear axle is replaced, repeat Steps 2 through 7.