Alignment: Service and Repair

PROCEDURE

Before checking front wheel alignment, make a preliminary unladen inspection. Unladed is fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION

1. Check tires for wear and proper inflation.








2. Check outside and inside wheel runout. Refer to illustrations.

3. Check front wheel bearings for looseness.

4. Check front suspension for looseness.

5. Check steering linkage for looseness.

6. Check that front shock absorbers work properly by using the standard bounce test.








7. Measure vehicle height (Unladen): H = A - B mm (inch)
Refer to Specification Table.
a. Exercise the front suspension by bouncing the front of the vehicle 4 or 5 times to ensure that the vehicle is in a neutral height attitude.
b. Measure wheel alignment.
Refer to Specification Table.
c. If wheel alignment is not as specified, adjust vehicle posture.
Refer to Specification Table.
d. Adjust wheel alignment.
Refer to Specification Table.

CAMBER, CASTER AND KINGPIN INCLINATION





Before checking camber, caster or kingpin inclination, move vehicle up and down on turning radius gauge to minimize friction. Ensure that the vehicle is in correct posture.

- Measure camber, caster and kingpin inclination of both right and left wheels with a suitable alignment gauge and adjust in accordance with the following procedures.
Camber, Caster, and Kingpin inclination: Refer to Specification Table.





- In the following two cases, temporarily tighten the adjusting bolts while aligning the matching marks with the slits as shown in the figure and measure the camber, caster and kingpin inclination:
(1) When replacing the upper link or other suspension parts with new ones
(2) When matching marks were not painted on adjusting bolts before suspension disassembly procedures.

- If matching marks were already painted during suspension disassembly, align the matching marks with the slits, then temporarily tighten the adjusting bolts. Measure the camber, caster and kingpin inclination.

ADJUSTMENT





1. Both camber and caster angles are adjusted by adjusting bolts.
- If the kingpin inclination is outside specifications, check the front suspension parts for wear or damage. Replace faulty parts with new ones.

2. From the measured value, read the coordinate (or: graduation) at the intersecting point in the graph.
a. If the coordinate (or graduation) at the intersecting point is positive, move the pin outward by turning the corresponding adjusting bolt by the indicated graduation.
b. If the coordinate (or graduation) at the intersecting point is negative, move the pin inward by turning the corresponding adjusting bolt by the indicated graduation.
After properly moving the pin(s), tighten the front and rear adjusting bolts to specifications.

3. Re-measure to ensure that the camber and caster are within specified tolerances.





[Example]
a. Measured values corresponding with the two values indicated below: (See Chart for 4WD models.)

Camber angle: -0° 06' (-0.10°)
Caster angle: 2°10' (2.17°)

b. Apply the above two values to the chart and determine point "A".
c. The coordinate (or graduation) indicates that both the front and rear adjusting bolts must be turned outward by 3 graduations.
d. Turn the adjusting bolts by the amount corresponding with the 3 graduations.




TOE IN

WARNING: ALWAYS PERFORM THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE ON A FLAT SURFACE. MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE PUSHING IT.

Measure toe-in using the following procedure.

1. Bounce front of vehicle up and down to stabilize the posture.

2. Push the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft.).





3. Put a mark on base line of the tread (rear side) of both tires at the same height of hub center. This mark is a measuring point.





4. Measure distance "A" (rear side).

5. Push the vehicle slowly ahead to rotate the wheels 180° (1/2 turn). If the wheels have rotated more than 180° (1/2 turn), try the above procedure again from the beginning. Never push vehicle backward.

6. Measure distance "B" (front side).
Total toe-in: Refer to Specification Table.





7. Adjust toe-in by varying the length of both steering tie rods.
a. Loosen clamp bolts or lock nuts.
b. Adjust toe-in by turning both the left and right tie rod tubes equal amounts.





NOTE:
- Make sure that the tie rod bars are screwed into the tie rod tube more than 35 mm (1.38 inch).
- Make sure that the tie rods are the same length.

Standard length (A = B):
2WD = 343.9 mm (13.54 inch)
4WD = 297.6 mm (11.72 inch)

c. Tighten clamp bolts or lock nuts, then torque them.

WHEEL TURNING ANGLE





1. Set wheels in straight-ahead position. Then move vehicle forward until front wheels rest properly on turning radius gauge.

2. Rotate steering wheel all the way right and left; measure turning angle.
On power steering models, turn steering wheel to full lock and apply force (at circumference of steering wheel) of 98 - 147 N (22 - 33 lbs.) with engine at idle.

CAUTION: Do not hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than 15 seconds.

Wheel turning angle (Full turn): Refer to Specification Table.








3. Adjust stopper bolt if necessary.
Standard length "L1" (2WD):
20 mm (0.79 inch) (Length before cap is mounted.)
Standard length "L2" (4WD):
26.5 mm (1.043 inch) (Length before cap is mounted.)