Front Wheel Alignment
Front Caster Adjustment
Use the following procedure in order to prepare the top strut Mounting holes:
1. Remove the top 3 fasteners from the strut tower.
2. Lift the front of the vehicle by the body in order to separate the strut from the inner wheelhouse.
Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Pop out the 2 guide pins.
4. Hand file the excess metal in order to make slotted holes.
5. Paint the exposed metal using rust preventative paint or primer.
6. Lower the front of the vehicle.
7. Install the strut attaching fasteners. Do not tighten the fasteners at this time.
Notice Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
8. Move the top of the strut forward or rearward in order to adjust the caster. A 1 mm (0.040 inch) position change at the tower is about equal to a 0.1 degree change in the caster. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.
^ Tighten the strut fasteners to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
9. Perform a complete wheel alignment.
Front Camber Adjustment
^ Tools Required
- J 39601 Camber Adjustment Tool
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel.
Important: Do not allow the bolts to turn. This will ruin the serrated shoulder.
3. Remove the nut and lap the upper and lower bolt from the strut and knuckle.
4. Separate the strut from the knuckle.
Important: It is necessary to grind the lower bolt hole on the strut to achieve proper camber setting.
If camber specification is not achieved by this procedure check for bent or worn parts.
5. Using a round file or a die grinder file the inner metal plate to the outside plates diameter.
6. File excess metal to make the slotted holes.
7. Paint the exposed metal with rust preventive paint or primer.
8. Replace the strut to the knuckle.
9. Install both the upper and lower bolts.
10. Do not tighten at this time (leave loose).
11. Install the J 39601 to the bottom strut bolt.
Notice Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
12. Using the J 39601, set the camber. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.
^ Tighten the upper strut to knuckle nut to 147 Nm (108 ft. lbs.).
13. Remove the J 39601.
^ Tighten the lower strut to knuckle nut to 147 Nm (108 ft. lbs.).
14. Replace the tire and Wheel.
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.
Front Toe Adjustment
1. Loosen the lock nuts on the tie rod.
Notice Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
Notice Care must be taken that the boots are not twisted when rotating the inner tie rods, or damage to the boots may result.
2. Rotate the inner tie rod to adjust the toe. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.
^ Tighten the lock nuts to 64 Nm (47 ft. lbs.).
3. Adjust the boots as needed in order to prevent damage.