Alignment: Service and Repair
PRELIMINARY INSPECTIONNOTE: Before checking wheel alignment, be sure that vehicle is in an unladen state, i.e. fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil are full and spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.
Adjust, repair or replace as necessary. Make the following checks:
1. Check tires for wear and for improper inflation.
2. Check wheel bearings for looseness.
3. Check wheel runout.
4. Check steering linkage for looseness.
5. Check that shock absorber works properly.
6. Check axle and suspension parts for looseness.
7. Check vehicle posture under unladen conditions.
WHEELARCH (CURB) HEIGHT
Models with 205/65 R15 Tires
Check spring height from top of wheel arch to the ground.
1. Vehicle must be unladen; i.e. parked on a level surface, and tires checked for proper inflation and wear (tread wear indicator must not be showing), fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full, spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.
2. Bounce vehicle up and down several times before measuring.
Standard height for the front (Hf): 713 mm (28.07 inch)
Standard height for the rear (Hr): 715 mm (28.15 inch)
3. Spring height is not adjustable. If out of specification, check for worn springs or suspension parts.
Models With 215/60 R15 Tires
Check spring height from top of wheel arch to the ground.
1. Vehicle must be unladen; i.e. parked on a level surface, and tires checked for proper inflation and wear (tread wear indicator must not be showing), fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full, spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.
2. Bounce vehicle up and down several times before measuring.
Standard height for the front and rear is 713 mm (28.07 inch)
3. Spring height is not adjustable. If out of specification, check for worn springs or suspension parts.
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Camber
- Camber is preset at factory and cannot be adjusted.
Rear Camber
Minimum: -1°45' (-1.75°)
Nominal: -1°00' (-1.00°)
Maximum: -0°15' (-0.25°)
- If the camber is not within specification, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts.
Toe-in
- Toe in is preset at the factory and cannot be adjusted.
- Measure toe in using following procedure. If out of specification, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts.
WARNING:
- Always perform the following procedure on a flat surface.
- Make sure that no person is in front of the vehicle before pushing it.
1. Move rear of vehicle up and down to stabilize the posture.
2. Push the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (196.9 inch).
3. Put a mark on base line of the tread (rear side) at the same height of hub center to be a measuring point.
4. Measure distance "A" (rear side).
5. Push the vehicle slowly ahead to turn the wheels around 180°.
If the wheels have passed 180°, try the above procedure again from the beginning. Never push vehicle backward.
6. Measure distance "B" (front side).
Total distance (A - B):
Minimum: -3 mm (-0.12 inch)
Nominal: +1 mm (+0.04 inch)
Maximum: +5 mm (+0.20 inch)
Total angle (Left + Right):
Minimum: -16' (-0.27°)
Nominal: +5.5' (+0.09°)
Maximum: +26' (+0.43°)
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Camber, Caster And Kingpin Inclination
- Camber, caster and kingpin inclination are preset at factory and cannot be adjusted.
1. Measure camber, caster and kingpin inclination of both right and left wheels with a suitable alignment gauge.
2. If camber, caster or kingpin inclination is not within specification, inspect front suspension parts. Replace damaged or worn out parts.
Caster:
Minimum: +2°00' (+2.00°)
Nominal: +2°45' (+2.75°)
Maximum: +3°30' (+3.50°)
Left And Right Difference: 45' (0.75°) or less
Camber:
Minimum: -1°00' (-1.00°)
Nominal: -0°15' (-0.25°)
Maximum: +0°30' (+0.50°)
Left And Right Difference: 45' (0.75°) or less
King Pin Inclination:
Minimum: +13°30' (+13.50°)
Nominal: +14°15' (+14.25°)
Maximum: +15°00' (+15.00°)
Toe-in
WARNING:
- Always perform the following procedure on a flat surface.
- Make sure that no person is in front of the vehicle before pushing it.
- Measure toe-in using the following procedure:
1. Bounce front of vehicle up and down to stabilize the posture.
2. Push the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft.).
3. Put a mark on base line of tread (rear side) of both tires at the same height as hub center. These are measuring points.
4. Measure distance "A" (rear side).
5. Push the vehicle slowly ahead to rotate the wheels 180° (1/2 turn).
NOTE: If the wheels have rotated more than 180° (1/2 turn), try the above procedure again from the beginning. Never push vehicle backward.
6. Measure distance "B" (front side).
Distance (A - B)
Minimum: +1 mm (+0.04 inch)
Nominal: +2 mm (+0.08 inch)
Maximum: +3 mm (+0.12 inch)
Angle (Left + Right)
Minimum: +5.5' (+0.09°)
Nominal: +11' (+0.18°)
Maximum: +16' (+0.27°)
7. Adjust toe-in by varying the length of steering tie-rods.
a. Loosen lock nuts.
b. Adjust toe-in by screwing tie-rods in and out.
Standard length "L": 202.7 mm (7.98 inch).
c. Tighten lock nuts to 78 - 98 Nm (58 - 72 ft. lbs.)
Turning Angle
1. Set wheels in straight-ahead position. Then move vehicle forward until front wheels rest on turning radius gauge properly.
2. Rotate steering wheel all the way right and left; measure turning angle.
Do not hold the steering wheel on full lock for more than 15 seconds.
Inside:
Minimum: +36° 00' (+36.00°)
Nominal: +39° 30' (+39.50°)
Maximum: +40° 30' (+40.50°)
Outside (Full Turn) [1]:
Nominal: +32° 00' (+32.00°)
[1]: Wheel turning force at the wheel circumference is 98 - 147 N (22 - 33 lbs.) with engine at idle.
3. Check stopper bolt head to see whether it contacts stopper bracket at specified outside wheel angle. If not, adjust stopper bolt to contact stopper bracket at the correct angle.
4. Adjust protrusion of stopper bolt before placing stopper bolt cap. Apply grease to face of stopper bracket that bolt touches.
Tighten stopper bolt lock nut to 54 - 72 Nm (40 - 53 ft. lbs.).