Front Suspension

Preliminary Checks Prior to Adjustment Front Wheel Alignment

Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. An additional item to be checked is the possibility of tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. "Lead" is the vehicle deviation from a straight path on a level road without hand pressure on the steering wheel. Refer to Radial Tire Lead / Pull Description in order to determine if the vehicle has a tire lead problem. Before making any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, the following checks and inspections should be made to ensure correctness of alignment readings and alignment adjustments:
^ Check all tires for proper inflation pressures and approximately the same tread wear.
^ Check for loose of ball joints. Check tie-rod ends; if excessive looseness is noted, it must be corrected before adjusting.
^ Check for run-out of wheels and tires.
^ Check vehicle trim heights; if out of limits and a correction is to be made, it must be made before adjusting toe.
^ Check for loose of suspension arms.
^ Check for loose or missing stabilizer bar attachments.
^ Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool boxes. If this excess load is normally carried in vehicle, it should remain in vehicle during alignment checks.
^ Consider condition of equipment being used to check alignment and follow manufacturer's instructions.
^ Regardless of equipment used to check alignment, vehicle must be on a level surface both fore and aft and transversely.

NOTE: To prevent possible incorrect reading of camber of caster, vehicle front (or rear) end must be moved up and down a few ties before inspection.

Front Wheel Alignment Inspection and Adjustment
Toe Inspection and Adjustment
Preparation for toe inspection and adjustment.
^ Place vehicle in non-loaded state on level floor.
^ Set steering wheel in straight state.
^ Check that inflation pressure of each tire is adjusted properly and disc wheel is free from deflection.
^ Check that each suspension part is free from bend, dent, wear or damage in any other form.
^ Check that ground clearance at the right and left is just about the same.

Inspection





Measure toe with toe-in gauge (1).
Toe should be within following specifications.
Toe 0 ± 2 mm (0 ± 0.079 inch)
If toe is out of the value corresponding specification, adjust toe properly.

Adjustment
1) Loosen right and left tie-rod end lock nuts (1) first.





2) Rotate right and left tie-rods (2) by the same amount to align toe to specification. In this adjustment, right and left tie-rods (2) should become equal in length "A".

NOTE: Before rotating tie-rods (2), apply grease between tie-rods and rack boots so that boots won't be twisted.

3) After adjustment, tighten lock nuts (1) to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Tie-rod end lock nuts (a): 45 Nm (4.5 kgf-cm, 32.5 ft. lbs.)

NOTE: Make sure that rack boots are not twisted.

Steering Angle Check and Adjustment





When tie-rod or tie-rod end was replaced, check toe and then also steering angle with turning radius gauge (1).
If steering angle is not correct, check if right and left tie-rods are equal in length "A".

NOTE: If tie-rod lengths were changed to adjust steering angle, reinspect toe-in.

Steering angle
Inside: 37.5° ± 3°
Outside: 32.5° ± 3°

Reference Information
Side slip
When checked with side slip tester, side slip should satisfy following specification.
Side slip limit
IN: 2 mm/m (0.079 inch/3.3 ft.)
OUT: 1 mm/m (0.039 inch/3.3 ft.)
If side slip exceeds the limit, toe or front wheel alignment may not be correct.