Wheel Alignment

STANDARD PROCEDURE - WHEEL ALIGNMENT
(1) Position the vehicle on an alignment rack.
(2) Perform the PRE-WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION.
(3) Install all required alignment equipment on the vehicle per the alignment equipment manufacturer's instructions. On this vehicle, a four-wheel alignment is recommended.

NOTE: Prior to reading the vehicle's alignment readouts, the front and rear of vehicle should be jounced. Induce jounce (rear first, then front) by grasping the center of the bumper and jouncing each end of vehicle an equal number of times. The bumper should always be released when vehicle is at the bottom of the jounce cycle.

(4) Read the vehicle's current front and rear alignment settings. Compare the vehicle's current alignment settings to the vehicle specifications for camber, caster and toe-in.

NOTE: Set the rear wheel alignment first before proceeding to the front to set the front wheel alignment.

(5) If rear camber or toe is not within specifications, proceed to REAR CAMBER AND TOE. If rear camber and toe are within specifications, but front camber and caster are not, proceed to FRONT CAMBER AND CASTER which can be found following REAR CAMBER AND TOE. If rear camber and toe, and front camber and caster are within specifications, proceed to FRONT TOE.

NOTE: Rear Caster on this vehicle is not adjustable and is not shown as an alignment specification. Rear Camber is not adjustable on some vehicles.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to adjust the vehicle's wheel alignment by heating, bending or modifying any component of the suspension.

REAR CAMBER AND TOE
Rear Camber is adjustable on earlier production vehicles. To verify whether rear camber is adjustable on a particular vehicle, look for the presence of an adjusting screw on the forward lateral links as well as the rearward lateral links of the rear suspension (Fig. 7). Rear camber can be adjusted using the adjusting screws located in both the forward and rearward lateral links. Vehicles without an adjusting screw on the rearward lateral link do not have camber adjustment capabilities, but still allow for toe adjustment using the adjusting screw in the forward lateral link.

NOTE: If rear camber is outside of specifications on a vehicle without an adjustment screw on the rearward link, a service link with an adjustment screw (like early production vehicles) is available to provide that adjustment. Once installed, adjust camber using procedure written for early production vehicles.

CAUTION: When checking the rear alignment on this vehicle, the alignment rack must be equipped with rear skid plates (tables).

(1) If either rear wheel needs alignment, loosen the adjusting screw jam nuts as necessary (Fig. 7).

CAUTION: Do not attempt to move the adjusting screws without properly loosening the jam nuts. Note that each adjusting screw has one right-handed nut and one left-handed nut.

CAUTION: When setting rear camber or toe on the vehicle, the maximum length of the adjustable lateral link at the locations shown (Fig. 8) must not be exceeded. If these maximum lengths are exceeded, inadequate retention of adjusting screw to the inner and outer link may result.

(2) Camber adjustable vehicles:

Fig.7 Lateral Link Adjusting Screws:

(a) Rough-in the rear camber setting as close as possible to the preferred specification by mainly rotating the rearward lateral link adjusting screw (Fig. 7). Some adjustment of the forward lateral link adjusting screw will also be required to get the rear camber setting to the preferred specification.
(b) Rotate the forward lateral link adjusting screw (Fig. 7) to set rear toe to the preferred specification.
(3) Toe only adjustable vehicles: (a) Rotate the forward lateral link adjusting screw (Fig. 7) to set rear toe to the preferred specification.

NOTE: Adjusting toe will cause a slight change in the camber setting. If during the setting of toe, camber is no longer at the preferred specification, continue to adjust camber and toe until both are at their preferred specifications.

(4) While holding adjustment screws from rotating, use a crows foot wrench on a torque wrench and tighten all lateral link adjusting screw jam nuts to 92 Nm (68 ft. lbs.) torque. This will securely hold the adjusting screws from turning.
(5) Proceed to FRONT CASTER AND CAMBER, or FRONT TOE if front caster and camber are within specifications.

Fig.8 Lateral Link Maximum Length Dimensions:

FRONT CAMBER AND CASTER
Camber and caster settings on this vehicle are determined at the time the vehicle is designed, by the location of the vehicle's suspension components. This is referred to as NET BUILD. The result is no required adjustment of camber and caster after the vehicle is built or when servicing the suspension components. Thus, when performing a wheel alignment, caster and camber are not normally considered adjustable angles. Camber and caster should be checked to ensure they meet vehicle specifications.

If front camber is found not to meet alignment specifications, it can be adjusted using a procedure listed here. Before performing the camber adjustment procedure, inspect the suspension components for any signs of damage or bending.

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE

Fig.9 Shock Assembly Mounting Bolts:

(1) Open the hood and mark the position of all four shock assembly mounting bolts on the shock tower (Fig. 9) on the side of the vehicle requiring front camber adjustment.
(2) Raise the vehicle by the frame until the tires and front suspension are not supporting the weight of the vehicle.
(3) Loosen the shock assembly mounting bolts on the side marked in step 1. Loosen the bolts enough to allow adequate space for removal of the plastic locating pins that align the upper mounting bracket with the shock tower.
(4) Remove and discard both plastic locating pins from the shock assembly upper mounting bracket using a punch or pliers.

NOTE: Do not leave the plastic locating pins in the cavity of the shock tower or mount. Objectionable noise may result.

(5) Position the shock assembly inboard or outboard as required to adjust the camber. Make sure the fore and aft position is in the same as indicated by the marks made prior to adjustment, and also the forward and rearward bolts are moved equal amounts inward or outward.

NOTE: Do not attempt to enlarge any existing holes to increase adjustment range.

(6) Tighten the upper shock assembly mounting bolts to 90 Nm (68 ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Lower the vehicle.
(8) Jounce the front and rear of vehicle an equal amount of times.
(9) Check and adjust the front camber as necessary.
(10) If front toe readings obtained are not within the required specification range, adjust front toe to meet the preferred specification setting. Proceed to FRONT TOE.

FRONT TOE
(1) Center the steering wheel and lock in place using a steering wheel clamp.

CAUTION: Do not twist front inner tie rod to steering gear rubber boots during front wheel Toe adjustment.

Fig.10 Front Wheel Toe Adjustment:

(2) Loosen front inner to outer tie rod end jam nuts (Fig. 10).
(3) Grasp inner tie rods at serrations and rotate inner tie rods of steering gear to set front toe to the preferred toe specification.
(4) Tighten tie rod jam nuts (Fig. 10) to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Adjust steering gear to tie rod boots at the inner tie rod.
(6) Remove steering wheel clamp.
(7) Remove the alignment equipment.
(8) Road test the vehicle to verify the steering wheel is straight and the vehicle does not wander or pull.