Wheel Alignment
STANDARD PROCEDURE - WHEEL ALIGNMENT1. Position the vehicle on the alignment platform per the alignment equipment manufacturer's recommendations.
2. Perform the Pre-Wheel Alignment Inspection.
NOTE: On this vehicle the front and rear wheel alignment must be checked and adjusted to the preferred specifications with the vehicle at its correct curb height.
3. Check the front and rear curb height of the vehicle to ensure the vehicle is at the correct height prior to checking the alignment angles.
4. If vehicle is within required curb height specification, proceed to the next step of this procedure, otherwise do not perform a wheel alignment until the curb height is corrected.
5. Attach the alignment equipment to the vehicle per the alignment equipment manufacturer's instructions. A four wheel alignment is recommended.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with flangeless style wheels, thus any alignment equipment used must be capable of attachment to the outside edge of the wheel bead.
6. Read the vehicle's current front and rear wheel alignment and compare it to specifications.
NOTE: When performing a wheel alignment, it is best to set the rear alignment first before proceeding to the front. If the rear wheel alignment is out of specifications, proceed to Rear Camber And Toe.
If rear wheel alignment is within specifications, proceed to the front of the vehicle. If front camber or caster is out of specifications, proceed to Front Camber And Caster. If front rear camber and caster are within specifications, but front toe is out of specifications, proceed to Front Toe which can be found near the end of this procedure.
REAR CAMBER AND TOE
The camber angle and toe position on the rear suspension is adjusted using the turnbuckles on the lateral links. When adjusting the rear alignment, the camber angle is to be set first and then the toe. Set rear camber and toe at each rear wheel using the following procedure.
1. Loosen the jam nuts at the rear lateral links as necessary.
2. To adjust rear camber, rotate both front and rear link turnbuckles an equal amount either inward or outward. The top of the knuckle is moved inward or outward thus changing the camber angle of the knuckle.
3. To adjust rear toe, simultaneously turn the two turnbuckles in opposite directions (one outward one inward). The top of the knuckle will rotate changing toe.
NOTE: When setting rear toe a slight change in the camber setting may occur. If during setting toe, camber no longer is at the preferred specification, continue to adjust camber and toe until both are at their preferred specification.
CAUTION: When tightening the turnbuckle jam nuts do not exceed the specified torque. If the jam nuts are over-torqued, the lateral links may be damaged.
4. While holding the turnbuckles from rotating, tighten the jam nuts to a torque of 65 Nm (48 ft. lbs.). Use a crowfoot and torque wrench to achieve the proper torque.
CAUTION: When setting rear camber and toe on this vehicle, the maximum lengths of the lateral links at the locations shown must not be exceeded. If these lengths are exceeded, inadequate retention of the turnbuckle to the inner and outer link may result.
5. Proceed to Front Camber And Caster or Front Toe as required.
FRONT CAMBER AND CASTER
The camber and caster angles are adjusted using adjustment cams. There is one cam located on each upper control arm pivot bolt. Correct camber and caster specifications are obtained by simultaneously rotating the front and rear adjustment cams until the upper control arm is correctly positioned. Set front camber and caster at each front wheel using the following procedure.
CAUTION: Prior to any cam bolt rotation, the cam bolt nuts must be loosened. This must be done to allow upper control arm mounting brackets to be spread allowing free movement of bushings. If not done, serious bending of bracket, weld breakage of cam retainer, fracturing of free cam and cam bolt shank or thread damage can occur.
1. Loosen the nuts on the upper control arm pivot (cam) bolts as necessary. There are two cams. One is located on each pivot bolt for the upper control arm.
2. To adjust front camber, rotate both pivot (cam) bolts an equal amount either inward or outward. The upper control arm and ball joint are moved inward or outward thus changing the camber angle of the knuckle.
3. To adjust front caster, rotate both pivot (cam) bolts in opposite directions of each other. The upper control arm and ball joint are moved forward or rearward thus changing the caster angle of the knuckle.
NOTE: When tightening the upper control arm pivot (cam) bolts using Adapter, Special Tool 8106, the mechanical advantage of a torque wrench is increased by a factor of 1.5. For this reason, the actual torque wrench reading or setting will be lower then the torque specification. Example: If the torque specified is 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.) the torque wrench reading or setting should be 72 Nm (53 ft. lbs.).
4. After the caster and camber has been set to the preferred specification, tighten the upper control arm pivot (cam) bolt and nuts to a torque of 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.). The upper control arm front and rear cam bolt nuts are tightened and torqued with assistance of Torque Wrench Adapter, Special Tool 8106.
5. Proceed with the procedure to set front toe.
FRONT TOE
The static wheel toe position should be the final adjustment made to the vehicle during the alignment procedure.
NOTE: Note: When setting the front wheel static toe position, it is recommended to leave the engine running during the toe setting procedure.
1. Start engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening and centering steering wheel. Center steering wheel and retain with steering wheel clamp.
2. Remove clamp from steering gear boot attaching it to inner tie rod.
3. Loosen inner to outer tie rod jam nut.
CAUTION: Do not twist inner tie rod to steering gear rubber boots during this adjustment.
CAUTION: The tie rod on this vehicle is an appearance item. When using a tool on the hex of the tie rod be extremely careful not to damage the paint on the tie rod.
4. Using the hex on the tie rod,. rotate the tie rod in the direction required to obtain specified individual wheel toe position.
CAUTION: To ensure the inner to outer tie rod jam nut does not loosen it must be tightened to the required torque specification after setting the toe.
5. Torque inner tie rod to outer tie rod jam nut to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
6. Position steering gear to inner tie rod boots at inner tie rod so boots are not twisted. Then install steering gear boot to inner tie rod boot clamp at tie rod.
7. Remove steering wheel clamp.
8. Remove all alignment equipment from the vehicle.
9. Test drive the vehicle to verify the steering wheel is straight and the vehicle does not wander or pull.