Alignment: Service and Repair

Wheel Alignment

The suspension can be adjusted for front camber and front toe. However, each of these adjustments are related to each other. For example, when you adjust the camber, the toe will change. Therefore, you must adjust the front wheel alignment whenever you adjust camber or toe.

Pre-Alignment Checks

For proper inspection and adjustment of the wheel alignment, do these checks:

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 tire repair kit, the jack, and the tools are in place on the vehicle.

4. Check the tire size and tire pressure.

Tire size:





Tire pressure (at cold):





5. Check the runout of the wheels and tires Testing and Inspection.

6. Check the suspension ball joints (Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair. 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. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Bounce the vehicle up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.

9. Check that the steering column is set at the center tilt position and the center telescopic position.

Caster 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. Check the caster angle.





- If the measurement is within the specifications, go to camber inspection.
- If the measurement is not within specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Camber 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. Check the camber angle.





- If the measurement is within the specifications, go to rear toe inspection.
- If the measurement for the front camber is not within the specification, go to front camber adjustment.
- If the measurement for the rear camber is not within the specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Front Camber Adjustment

The front camber can be adjusted by exchanging one or both of the damper pinch bolts with the smaller diameter adjusting bolt(s). The difference between the adjusting bolt diameter and the pinch bolt hole diameter allows for a small range of adjustment.

NOTE: If you need to use an adjusting bolt, refer to the Parts Catalog.





1. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.

2. Remove the front wheels.

3. Loosen the damper pinch bolts (A), and adjust the camber angle by moving the bottom of the damper within the range of the damper pinch bolt free play.





4. Tighten the damper pinch bolts while holding the self-locking nut to the specified torque.

5. Clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheels.

6. Lower the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the front of the vehicle up and down several times to settle the suspension.

7. Measure the camber angle.

- If the measurement is within the specifications, go to rear toe inspection.
- If the measurement is not within specification, go to step 8.

8. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.

9. Remove the front wheels.

10. Replace the damper pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts (A), and adjust the camber angle.

NOTE:

- The camber angle can be adjusted up to ±20 ' (center of tolerance) by replacing one damper pinch bolt with the adjusting bolt.
- The camber angle can be adjusted up to ±40 ' by replacing both damper pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts.





11. Tighten the adjusting bolts while holding the self-locking nut to the specified torque.

12. Clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheels.

13. Lower the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the front of the vehicle up and down several times to settle the suspension.

14. Measure the camber angle.

- If the camber measurement is correct, measure the toe-in, and adjust it if necessary.
- If the camber angle is not within the specifications, repeat steps 8 through 13 to readjust the camber angle.

Rear Toe 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.

NOTE: Do the rear toe inspection/adjustment before the front toe inspection/adjustment.

1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.

2. Check the toe.





- If the measurement is within the specifications, go to front toe inspection.
- If the measurement is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

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.

NOTE: Do the rear toe inspection/adjustment before the front toe inspection/adjustment.

1. Set the steering column to the center tilt/telescopic positions. 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 turning angle inspection.

3. Loosen the tie-rod locknuts (A) while holding the flat surface sections (B) of the tie-rod end with a wrench, and turn both tie-rods (C) until the front toe is within specifications.





4. After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts to the specified torque. Reposition the rack-end boot if it is twisted or damaged.

5. Go to turning angle inspection.

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 steering wheel right and left while applying the brake, and measure the turning angle of both wheels.










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.