Repair Procedures
1. IMPORTANT NOTICEBefore repairing vehicle pulling to one side, it is necessary to clearly identify the cause of the pulling condition. Frequently, the cause of the vehicle pulling to one side is diagnosed as wheel alignment. However, the actual cause may be lateral force generated by the tires. Performing wheel alignment when tire force is the cause could result in the wheel alignment being set at a value outside of specifications. This would then cause other problems such as uneven tire wear. etc.
2. Troubleshooting
First determine whether vehicle pulling to one side is caused by a wheel alignment problem or tire characteristics, then decide which repairs to make.
a. Perform the following checks and correct as necessary.
(1) Check tires for size, wear and for proper inflation pressure.
(2) Check whether the vehicle is noticeably tilted backward/forward or left/right.
HINT:
Tilting of the vehicle produces a left-right difference in the camber and caster and can cause vehicle pulling to one side.
(3) Check brakes for dragging.
b. Confirm problem symptoms.
With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the customer's complaint involves vehicle pulling to one side or steering wheel off center. It the problem is steering wheel off center. adjust the front tie rods on the vehicle. Also check the direction of vehicle pulling and the extent of the pulling.
c. Decide if vehicle pulling is due to wheel alignment or tires.
(1) Switch the left and right front tires.
(2) Conduct a drive test to check whether the direction that the vehicle pulls has changed.
Helpful hints to determine cause of vehicle pulling:
^ The direction of lateral force from tire conicity becomes reversed when the left and right tires are switched. Therefore, if the pulling direction changes when the tires are switched, it can be concluded that vehicle pulling is caused by tire conicity.
^ If the pulling direction does not change after the front tires are switched the cause of vehicle pulling is not tire conicity. In this case. the likely cause is a front wheel alignment condition.
3. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is caused by wheel alignment, perform repairs according to the following procedure.
WHEN VEHICLES PULLS TO LEFT WHEN VEHICLES PULLS TO RIGHT
Increase right front camber and decrease Increase left front camber
left front camber until vehicle pulling decrease right front camber
is eliminated until vehicle pulling is eliminated
NOTE:
^ Keep the cross camber within 10 or less.
^ Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (-/+ 45' of center value).
^ If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.
4. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is caused by tire conicity, perform repairs according to the following procedures.
Indication of Tire Conicity as a Cause:
When the front tires are switched, the pulling direction changes. Proceed to STEP 1.
STEP 1:
Remove the front left tire from the wheel and reverse the tire. Then perform a road test and check for change in the pulling direction.
HINT:
By performing this operation, it can be checked whether the left or right tire exerts a stronger lateral force. Either tire can be reversed. Shown here is an example of the left tire reversed.
NOTE:
Firestone 205/70R15 tires cannot be reversed on the rim due to different sidewall appearance on either side.
If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated:
Repair Is Now Complete.
The lateral force generated by the left and right front tires is virtually the same. so the lateral force is neutralized and the vehicle travels straight ahead. The repair operation is now completed.
STEP 2:
Rotate the larger lateral force front tire with the rear tire and check the change In the vehicle pulling.
HINT:
By shining the front tire with the larger lateral force to the rear, the vehicle pulling level is usually reduced.
It Vehicle Is Still Pulling: Go to STEP 3.
It Vehicle Pulling Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.
STEP 3:
Adjust cross camber to eliminate vehicle pulling.
HINT:
If the tires are placed in the positions they were in during tire rotation when the least amount of vehicle pulling occurred, wheel alignment can be performed with a minimal amount of adjustment.
WHEN VEHICLES PULLS TO LEFT WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT
Increase right front camber and decrease Increase left front camber
left front camber until vehicle pulling and decrease right camber
is eliminated until vehicle pulling is eliminated
NOTE:
^ Keep the cross camber within 1° or less.
^ Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (+/- 45' of center value).
^ If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.
5. Camber Adjustment Method
NOTE:
After the camber has been adjusted, inspect the toe-in.
a. Remove the front wheels and ABS speed sensor clamp.
b. Remove the two nuts on the lower side of the shock absorber.
c. Coat the threads of the nuts with engine oil.
d. Temporarily install the two nuts.
e. Adjust the camber by pushing or pulling the lower side of the shock absorber in the direction in which the camber adjustment is required.
f. Tighten the nuts.
Torque: 210 Nm (2,150 kgf-cm, 155 ft-lbf)
g. Install the front wheels.
Torque: 104 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 77 ft.lbf)
h. Check the camber.
NOTE:
Adjusting value for the set bolts is 6' - 30' (0.1° - 0.5°). If the camber is not within the specification, use the table shown to estimate how mush additional camber adjustment will be required, and select the appropriate camber adjusting bolt.
i. Follow steps 5-a through 5-h again. Between steps 5-b and 5-c, exchange one or two selected bolts.
HINT:
When exchanging the two bolts, exchange one bolt each time.
If Vehicle Pulling Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.
If Vehicle Is Still Pulling:
Contact Your District Parts and Service Manager for Further Repair Instructions.