Loose and worn suspension parts prevents an accurate setting
of alignment angles. Before you make any alignment adjustments, ensure the
correctness of the alignment readings and the adjustments:
| • | Check the tires for normal tread wear. |
| • | Check the hub and bearing for excessive wear. |
| • | Check the ball joints and the tie rods for looseness. |
| • | Inspect the wheels and tires for runout, resulting from bent wheels
or faulty tires. |
| • | Inspect vehicle trim heights. If the trim heights are not within
specifications, make necessary corrections before adjusting the alignment.
Refer to
Trim Height Specifications
in Suspension General Diagnosis. |
| • | Check the steering gear for looseness at the frame. |
| • | Check the struts for improper operation. |
| • | Inspect the control arms for loose or worn bushings. |
| • | Check the stabilizer shaft attachments for loose or missing components. |
| • | Check the alignment pins for improper frame alignment to the body. |
| • | Check the frame fasteners for proper torque. |
| • | Check the frame insulators for wear or damage. |
Before checking the alignment, become familiar with the instructions
that are furnished by the equipment manufacturer. Methods will vary with different
equipment. Regardless of the equipment used for adjusting the alignment, always
keep the vehicle on a level surface, both fore-and-aft and sideways.
Important:
| • | Check and set the alignment with a full fuel tank. |
| • | Jounce the vehicle three times before you check the alignment
in order to eliminate false readings. |
| • | Hold the front and the rear suspensions to the specified dimensions.
Refer to
Trim Height Specifications
in Suspension General Diagnosis. |
| • | Set the toe left side adjustment and the toe right side adjustment
separately per wheel. Hold the steering wheel level at 0 degrees plus
or minus 3.5 degrees. |
| - | Cross caster within 0.75 degrees. |
| - | Cross camber within 0.75 degrees. |
Adjust
Perform four wheel alignment adjustments in the following order:
- Rear wheel camber
- Rear wheel toe and tracking
- Front wheel camber
- Front wheel toe and steering wheel angle
