Preliminary Inspection

Steering and ride complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. Another possibility is tire "lead" due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. "Lead" is the vehicle's deviation from a straight path on a level road without pressure on the steering wheel. Refer to "Steering, Suspension, Tire And Wheels Diagnosis," for the procedure to determine if the vehicle has a lead problem.

Before making any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, make the following inspections to ensure correct alignment readings and alignment adjustments.

Inspect:
1. All tires for proper inflation pressures. Also check that tires have about the same tread wear.
2. Hub and bearing assemblies for excessive wear; correct if necessary.
3. Ball joints and tie rod ends; if they are loose, correct them before adjusting.
4. Run-out of wheels and tires.
5. Vehicle trim height. If out of limits and a correction is to be made, do so before adjusting alignment..
6. Strut dampeners for proper operation.
7. Control arms for loose bushings.
8. Stabilizer shaft for loose or missing parts.
9. Suspension and steering components for damage and replace parts as necessary.

Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool boxes, sample cases, etc. If these items are normally carried in the vehicle, they should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments. Loads such as these should be centered in the vehicle whenever possible to minimize their effects. Consideration should also be given to the condition of the equipment being used to adjust alignment. Be sure to follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Regardless of the equipment used to adjust alignment, the vehicle must be on a level surface, both fore-and-aft and sideways.