Wheel Alignment
Wheel Alignment
Overview
Before checking the wheel alignment, the height of the car must be measured. See Measuring car height before checking wheel geometry.
1. Set up the equipment for 4-wheel alignment and follow the instructions for using it.
2. Check rear wheel alignment against the values in the Rear wheel alignment tables and adjust as necessary.
3. Check front wheel alignment against the values in the Front wheel alignment tables and adjust as necessary.
Adjustment of Rear Wheel Toe-In
1. Raise the car on a 4-pillar lift so that the wheels and suspension are under load.
2. Fixate the longitudinal links with Fixture 89 96 795
3. Slacken the bolts on the body attachment bracket for one of the longitudinal links.
4. Using sleeve, 89 96 811 move the bracket outwards or inwards. Move it inwards to increase toe-in.
Check the alignment.
5. Tighten the bolts.
Tightening torque 90 Nm + 30° (70 ft. lbs. + 30°)
6. Repeat points 3-5 on the other side of the car.
7. Apply anticorrosion agent to the body.
8. Continue with Adjustment of front wheel toe-in.
Adjustment of Front Wheel Toe-In
1. Start with Adjustment of rear wheel toe-in if this has not been done.
2. Secure the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
3. Undo the locknut on the track rod.
4. Rotate the track rod clockwise to reduce the toe angle or anticlockwise to increase the toe angle. Read off the value and compare it with Wheel alignment.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the dust excluder (gaiter) does not rotate when the track rod is turned.
5. Tighten the locknut.
Tightening torque 70 Nm (55 ft. lbs.)
6. Check the length of the track rods by measuring the distance (A) between the locknut and the groove in the track rod at the dust excluder. This distance should not exceed 149 mm.
Maximum permitted difference in distance between right and left-hand sides is 7 mm.
7. Use a corrosion protection agent on the track-rod threads after tightening.
Caster
Caster is not adjustable. If it is not within the specified limits, defective components must be replaced.
Alignment settings, see specifications.
Camber, Front
Camber is not adjustable. If it is not within the specified limits, defective components must be replaced.
Alignment settings, see specifications.
Camber, Rear
Note: Before adjusting: Check that none of the suspension components are damaged.
1. Release the Handbrake.
2. Raise the car so the wheels are suspended freely and the spring is fully extended.
3. Remove the wheel.
4. Remove the air deflector.
5. Remove the attachment for the Handbrake cable.
6. Unplug the connector from the wheel sensor.
7. VIN X3025752-: Remove the wheel sensor cable from its holder.
8. VIN X3025752-: Remove the mounting for the wheel sensor and brake pipe.
9. Blow clean around the wheel hub.
10. Undo the wheel hub nuts (4x) approximately 7 turns.
Use a 45 mm long 15 mm socket with 3/8" drive, part number 30 34 444, and an extension piece with ball.
11. Blow thoroughly clean in the space between the hub and link arm.
12. Fit a 0.3 mm shim top or bottom.
If the camber is too much towards +: Fit a shim at the bottom.
If the camber is too much towards -: Fit a shim at the top.
Note: A maximum of three shims may be fitted.
13. Tighten the hub nuts (4x)
Tightening torque: 50 Nm + 30° (37 ft. lbs. + 30°)
14. VIN X3025752-: Fit the mounting for the wheel sensor and the brake pipe.
Tightening torque 24 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
15. VIN X3025752-: Fit the wheel sensor cable to the mounting.
16. Plug in the connector to the wheel sensor.
17. Fit the attachment for the Handbrake cable.
Tightening torque: 8 Nm (6 ft. lbs.)
18. Fit the air deflector.
19. Fit the wheel.
Tightening torque: 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.)
20. Apply the Handbrake.
21. Check wheel alignment.
Swivel-pin Inclination
Swivel-pin inclination cannot be adjusted as it is determined by the steering swivel member.
If it is not within the specified limits of 12.6° ±0.5° despite the camber being correct, the steering swivel member is at fault and will have to be replaced.
Alignment settings, see specifications.
Steering Angle
The toe angle must be adjusted correctly before the steering angle of the wheels is checked.
Measurement of the steering angle is carried out using two standard, graduated turntables combined with optical measuring equipment (pictured). Each turntable should be centerd as accurately as possible underneath the respective wheel.
Turn the steering wheel to the left, for instance, until the right-hand (outside) wheel is at an angle of 20°. If the steering angle is correct, the other (inside) wheel should be at an angle of 21.25 ± 0.5°.
If the measurements show the steering angle to be incorrect, then one or both steering swivel members must have become distorted. Defective steering swivel members must be changed.