Preliminary Inspection

PRELIMINARY INSPECTIONS
The steering and the ride complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. Another possibility is tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. The lead is the vehicle's deviation from a straight path on a level road without pressure on the steering wheel. Refer to VEHICLE LEADS/PULLS in SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS for the procedure to determine if the vehicle had a lead problem. Before making any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, make the following inspections in order to ensure correct the alignment readings and the alignment adjustments.

Inspect
1. Inspect all the tires for the proper inflation pressures. Also check that the tires have about the same tread wear.
2. Inspect the hub and bearing assemblies for excessive wear. Correct as necessary.
3. Inspect the ball joints and the tie rod ends; if they are loose, correct them before adjusting.
4. Inspect the vehicle trim height. If it is out of limits and a correction is to be made, do so before adjusting the alignment. Refer to TRIM HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS in SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS.
5. Inspect the strut dampeners for proper operation.
6. Inspect the control arms for loose bushings.
7. Inspect the stabilizer shaft for loose or missing parts.
8. Inspect the suspension and the steering components for damage and replace the parts as necessary.

Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool boxes, sample cases, etc. If the items are normally carried in the vehicle, the items should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments. Loads such as these should be centered in the vehicle whenever possible to minimize their effects. Consideration should also be given to the condition of the equipment being used in order to adjust the alignment. Be sure to follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Regardless of the equipment used to adjust the alignment, the vehicle must be on a level surface, both fore-and-aft and sideways.