Alignment: Service and Repair
Wheel Alignment
The suspension can be adjusted for caster, camber, and toe. However, each of these adjustments are related to each other. For example, when you adjust camber, the toe will change. Therefore, you must adjust the front/rear alignment whenever you adjust caster, camber, or toe.
Pre-Alignment Checks
For proper inspection and adjustment of the wheel alignment, do the following:
1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Make sure the suspension is not modified.
3. Make sure the fuel tank is full, and that the spare tire or the temporary repair kit, the jack, and the tools are in place on the vehicle.
4. Check the tire size and tire pressure.
5. Check the runout of the wheels and tires. Testing and Inspection
6. Check the suspension ball joints (Hold a tire with your hands, and move it up and down and right and left to check for movement).
7. Before doing alignment inspections, be sure to remove all extra weight from the vehicle, and no one should be inside the vehicle (driver or passengers).
8. Bounce the vehicle up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.
9. Check the ride height of each suspension. Make sure the vehicle is empty, is parked on a level surface, and has properly inflated tires (the treadwear indicator must not be showing). If the height is out of specification, adjust the load as necessary.
Front
Rear
Caster Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Check the caster angle.
- If adjustment is required, go to step 2.
- If no adjustment is required, go to front camber inspection/adjustment.
2. Hold the self-locking cam nut (A) on the rear of the lower arm, and loosen the flange bolt (B).
3. Replace the self-locking cam nut with a new one, and lightly tighten it.
NOTE: Always use a new self-locking cam nut whenever it has been tightened to the specified torque value.
4. Turn the adjusting cam collar (C) until the caster is correct.
5. After adjusting, tighten the flange bolt to the specified torque value while holding the self-locking cam nut.
6. Bounce the vehicle several times, and recheck the caster reading.
Front Camber Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Check the camber angle.
- If adjustment is required, go to step 2.
- If no adjustment is required, go to rear camber inspection/adjustment.
2. Hold the adjusting bolt (A) on the front of the lower arm, and loosen the self-locking nut (B).
3. Replace the self-locking nut with a new one, and lightly tighten it.
NOTE: Always use a new self-locking nut whenever it has been tightened to the specified torque value.
4. Turn the adjusting bolt until the camber is correct.
5. After adjusting, tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque value while holding the adjusting bolt.
6. Bounce the vehicle several times, and recheck the camber reading.
Rear Camber Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Check the camber angle.
- If adjustment is required, go to step 2.
- If no adjustment is required, go to front toe inspection/adjustment.
2. Hold the adjusting bolt (A) on the control arm, and loosen the self-locking nut (B).
3. Replace the self-locking nut with a new one, and lightly tighten it.
NOTE: Always use a new self-locking nut whenever it has been tightened to the specified torque value.
4. Turn the adjusting bolt until the camber is correct.
5. After adjusting, tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque value while holding the adjusting bolt.
Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Center the steering wheel spokes, and install a steering wheel holder tool.
2. Check the toe with the wheels pointed straight ahead.
- If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
- If no adjustment is required, go to rear toe inspection/adjustment.
3. Hold the tie-rod end (A), and loosen the tie-rod locknut (B).
4. Turn the tie-rod until the toe is correct.
5. After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts to the specified torque value while holding the tie-rod end. Reposition the rack-end boot if it is twisted or dislocated.
6. Go to rear toe inspection/adjustment.
Rear Toe Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Release the parking brake to prevent an incorrect measurement.
2. Check the toe.
- If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
- If no adjustment is required, go to turning angle inspection.
3. Hold the adjusting bolt of the control arm (A), and loosen the self-locking nut (B). Hold the adjusting bolt of the lower arm (C), and loosen the self-locking nut (D).
4. Replace the self-locking nuts with new one, and lightly tighten them.
NOTE: Always use new self-locking nuts whenever they have been tightened to the specified torque values.
5. Turn both adjusting bolts in opposite directions until the toe is correct.
NOTE: Adjust the rear toe by adjusting the control arm and the lower arm by the same amount in opposite directions to each other (for example, when you move the control arm out, move the lower arm in, and vice versa).
6. After adjusting, tighten both self-locking nuts to the specified torque values while holding the respective adjusting bolts.
Turning Angle Inspection
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Turn the front wheels right and left while applying the brake, and measure the turning angles of both wheels.
Turning angle:
2. If the measurement is not within the specifications, even up both sides of the tie-rod threaded section length while adjusting the front toe. If it is correct, but the turning angle is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.
