Measuring Wheel Alignment

IMPORTANT: When measuring alignment angles, it is critical that vehicle curb bumper be within specifications. If not correct, add or remove weight until bumper height is correct. Refer to "Bumper Heights".

IMPORTANT: When performing a wheel alignment after any suspension system component removal and installation, vehicle must be driven and/or the suspension system worked (manually bounced at least 20 times) to allow components to locate properly before alignment adjustment.

1. Install alignment equipment in accordance with the equipment manufacturers instructions.
2. Adjust tire pressures to correct specifications
- 207 kPa (30 psi) tire pressure - Front Tires
- 207 kPa (30 psi) tire pressure - Rear Tires
3. Check frame to body alignment with Frame Alignment Tool J-43628. If frame to body alignment is not correct, loosen fasteners and align frame to body.
4. Measure alignment angles for each wheel.





Cross camber and cross caster specifications refer to the difference between the left and right side angles. Cross camber and cross caster can influence vehicle steering pull tendencies. Usually, alignment results will be best when these measurements are as close to zero as possible.

ORDER OF ADJUSTMENT

- TOOLS REQUIRED
- KM 900 Alignment for rear axle
- SA9140E Torque Angle Gauge

IMPORTANT: Rear wheel camber and front wheel caster are non adjustable on this vehicle. These angles can be measured but are set by design of the front and rear suspension.

1st Rear Toe
2nd Right Front Camber
3rd Left Front Camber
4th Front Toe

IMPORTANT: When performing a wheel alignment after any suspension system component removal and installation, the vehicle must be driven and/or the suspension system worked (manually bounced at least 20 times) to allow components to locate properly before alignment adjustment.

BUMPER HEIGHTS
IMPORTANT: When measuring alignment angles, it is critical that the vehicle bumper height be correct. Measure and adjust bumper height according to the following procedure before performing alignment.

1. Place vehicle on a level surface.
2. Adjust tire pressures to correct specifications.
Curb bumper height should be measured with:
- 207 kPa (30 psi) tire pressure - front tires
- 207 kPa (30 psi) tire pressure - rear tires


3. If vehicle fuel tank is not full, the following chart may he used to determine amount of weight necessary to be added to the trunk of vehicle to simulate a full fuel tank.





4. Bounce front and rear of vehicle a few times to settle suspension.
5. Measure front and rear vehicle curb trim height.








Locating point -Y and +Y is distance from the center line of vehicle according to the following chart.
Measure curb bumper height from ground to bottom horizontal surface of bumper.

REAR WHEEL TOE





1. Remove rear axle control arm bolts and discard.

NOTICE: Use new bolts; torque retention of old bolts may not be sufficient.

IMPORTANT: Do not tighten bolts at this time.

2. Install new bolts leaving the inside forward bolt out.





3. Install rear toe adjusting tool KM-900 into the open bolt hole.





4. Using rear toe adjusting tool KM-9OU, move rear axle control arm in the direction of necessary toe correction.
5. Snug rear axle control arm bolts, do not tighten to final torque at this time.
6. Recheck toe and adjust if necessary.





7. Tighten rear axle control arm bolts using the torque angle method.
Torque: 90 Nm (65 ft. lbs.) + 30 - 45 degrees
8. Repeat procedure for other rear wheel.

REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Rear wheel alignment involves setting the toe angle. Rear wheel camber is not adjustable.

IMPORTANT: Rear wheel alignment must be set correctly before front wheel alignment is attempted.

FRONT WHEEL CAMBER





IMPORTANT: Rear wheel alignment angles must be set to correct specifications before front wheel alignment angles are adjusted.

CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE END FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.





1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
3. Remove the two strut to knuckle bolts and discard.





4. The strut mounting bracket consists of two layers of metal, an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer has a rough 14.4 - 14.8 mm (0.57 - 0.58 inch) hole through it at the mounting locations, while the outer layer has a 18.4 - 18.8 mm (0.72 - 0.74 inch) slot through it.
5. Using a round file or grinder, remove material from the inner layer of the strut bracket lower hole. The round hole may be increased to the size and shape of the slot in the outer layer. Do this on both sides of the strut bracket.
- To increase negative camber, remove material from the outside of the lower strut hole.
- To decrease negative camber, remove material from the inside of the lower strut hole.

IMPORTANT: If the strut was filed or ground, paint exposed metal with primer.





6. Position knuckle back into strut and install new bolts. Tighten strut to knuckle fasteners.
Torque: 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) then
90 Nm (65 ft. lbs.) + 45 - 60 degrees

NOTICE: Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors. Failure to do so can cause wheel bolts to loosen in service.

7. Position wheel onto hub.
8. Install wheel bolts and tighten in a crisscross pattern. Repeat tightening pattern to make sure torque is correct.
Torque: 125 Nm (92 ft. lbs.)
9. Lower vehicle from hoist.
10. Check camber angle and adjust if necessary.