Adjustment

Perform the front wheel alignment procedures in the following sequence: Preliminary Inspection, Steering Gear Centering, Alignment Angles Check, Toe Setting Adjust, and Steering Wheel Centering.

Perform the preliminary inspection before the vehicle is on an alignment rack. Center the steering gear and check alignment angles with the vehicle placed on an alignment rack.

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION

1. Ensure tires are of the same size and properly inflated.
2. Inspect tread surfaces and note type and degree of wear.
3. Measure and adjust vehicle ride height.
4. Check braking operation. Correct problems before alignment adjustment.
5. Check front wheel bearing endplay.
6. Check wheel radial and lateral runout.

Fig. 1 Positioning centering tool Dir.1067 onto gear housing and rack assembly:

STEERING GEAR CENTERING

1. Remove bolts and nuts attaching steering bracket to the rack assembly and move bracket (and tie rods) aside.
2. Place centering tool Dir.1067, onto gear housing (A) and rack assembly (B) as shown. Ensure centering studs on tool are firmly seated.
3. With tool installed, the steering gear will automatically be centered and locked in position.
4. Check position of the steering shaft coupling (C). The coupling pinch bolt (D) must be located at the coupling underside and positioned 3 splines away from a horizontal position. Adjust coupling position, if necessary.

ALIGNMENT ANGLES CHECK

1. Jounce vehicle front end several times to settle the suspension components.
2. Check alignment angles in the following sequence: Caster, Camber and Toe-Out.
3. If the alignment angles are within specifications proceed to "Toe-Out Setting, Adjust."
4. If caster, camber or toe-out are not within specified limits, it will be necessary to repair or replace the steering, suspension or body component causing the incorrect alignment.
5. Remove tool Dir.1067 and install steering bracket onto the steering gear rack assembly.
6. Center the steering wheel, if necessary. Refer to "Steering Wheel Centering."
7. Remove vehicle from alignment rack.

Fig. 2 Toe-out adjustment:

TOE-OUT SETTING, ADJUST

1. Loosen tie rod locknut (A), and steering arm locknut (B). Locknut (A) has righthand threads. Locknut (B) has lefthand threads.
2. Turn each adjusting sleeve (C) inward or outward to obtain the required toe-out reading.
3. The number of threads (D) visible at each tie rod end should be approximately the same.
4. Torque locknuts (A) and (B) to 26 ft. lbs. Do not allow the adjusting sleeve (C) to rotate while tightening the locknuts.

STEERING WHEEL CENTERING

Do not use the tie rod adjusting sleeves to center the steering wheel. The correct method of centering the steering wheel is to remove the steering wheel and center it on the steering shaft as necessary. After centering torque steering wheel attaching nut to 30 ft. lbs.