Wheel Alignment Procedures

Measuring Wheel Alignment
Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. One possible cause is wheel and tire imbalance. Another possibility is tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. Lead/pull is defined as follows: At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull is the amount of effort required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle's straight path. Lead is the vehicle deviation from a straight path on a level road without pressure on the steering wheel. Refer to Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction in order to determine if the vehicle has a tire lead problem.

Before performing any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, perform the following inspections and adjustments in order to ensure correct alignment readings:
^ Inspect the tires for the proper inflation and irregular tire wear. Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications and Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear.
^ Inspect the runout of the wheels and the tires. Refer to Tire and Wheel Runout Specifications.
^ Inspect the wheel bearings for backlash and excessive play. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis.
^ Inspect the ball joints and tie rod ends for looseness or wear.
^ Inspect the control arms and stabilizer shaft for looseness or wear.
^ Inspect the steering gear for looseness at the frame. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications.
^ Inspect the struts/shock absorbers for wear, leaks, and any noticeable noises. Refer to Struts or Shock Absorbers On-Vehicle Testing.
^ Inspect the vehicle trim height. Refer to Trim Height Inspection Procedure.
^ Inspect the steering wheel for excessive drag or poor return due to stiff or rusted linkage or suspension components.
^ Inspect the fuel level. The fuel tank should be full or the vehicle should have a compensating load added.

Give consideration to excess loads, such as tool boxes, sample cases, etc. If normally carried in the vehicle, these items should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments. Give consideration also to the condition of the equipment being used for the alignment. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Satisfactory vehicle operation may occur over a wide range of alignment settings. However, if the setting exceeds the service allowable specifications, correct the alignment to the service preferred specifications. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.

Perform the following steps in order to measure the front and rear alignment angles:

1. Install the alignment equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Jounce the front and the rear bumpers 3 times prior to checking the wheel alignment.
3. Measure the alignment angles and record the readings.

4. Important: When performing adjustments to vehicles requiring a 4-wheel alignment, set the rear wheel alignment angles first in order to obtain proper front alignment angles.

Adjust alignment angles to vehicle specification, if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.



Front Caster Adjustment
The front caster is not adjustable. If the front caster angle is not within specifications, inspect for suspension support misalignment or front suspension damage. Replace any damaged suspension components as necessary.



Front Camber Adjustment
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.





3. Remove the strut to knuckle nuts and bolts. Discard the nuts and bolts.





4. If the strut has not been previously modified, perform the following procedure:
1. Disconnect the strut from the knuckle.

2. Important:
^ The strut mounting bracket consists of two layers of metal, file the inner layer no further than the slot in the outer layer.
^ If filing the strut, paint the exposed metal with primer.

If increasing negative camber, remove material from the outside of the lower strut hole.
3. If decreasing negative camber, remove material from the inside of the lower strut hole.





5. Loosely install new strut to knuckle nuts and bolts.





6. Adjust the camber to specifications by moving the top of the wheel in or out as necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.

7. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Tighten strut to knuckle nuts and bolts.
^ Tighten the nuts and bolts to 180 Nm (133 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the wheel and tire assemblies.



Front Toe Adjustment
1. Position and lock the steering wheel with the vehicle with the wheels in the straight forward position.





2. Loosen both inner tie rod jam nuts.

3. Important: The inner tie rod must rotate freely from the boot seal surface. Do not allow the boot to rotate.

Loosen the inner tie rod seal to boot surface.
4. Use a wrench on the tie rod flats to increase or decrease the toe angle specifications. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.

5. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Tighten the inner tie rod jam nuts.
^ Tighten the jam nuts to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.).
6. Inspect the toe angle to ensure proper adjustment and adjust as necessary.



Rear Camber Adjustment





1. Loosen the upper control arm-to-frame fastener enough to allow movement.

2. Important: The frame of the vehicle is slotted, turning the cam nut will move the camber in to the designated location.

Rotate the upper control arm-to-frame fastener in the direction necessary to the correct the camber measurement.
3. Snug the upper control arm-to-frame fastener, do not tighten at this time.
4. Reinspect the rear camber specifications and adjust as necessary.

5. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Hold the nut and tighten the upper control arm-to-frame bolt.
^ Tighten the bolt to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).
6. Repeat the procedure for the other rear wheel.



Rear Toe Adjustment





1. Loosen the toe link-to-frame fastener enough to allow for movement.

2. Important: The frame of the vehicle is slotted, a cam nut is available for service if required.

Rotate the toe link cam nut in the direction necessary to correct the toe angle.
3. Snug the toe link-to-frame fastener, do not tighten at this time.
4. Reinspect the rear toe specifications and adjust as necessary.

5. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Hold the nut and tighten the link-to-frame fastener bolt.
^ Tighten the bolt to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).
6. Repeat the procedure for the other rear wheel.