Alignment: Description and Operation

Suspension System
The front suspension system consists of the following components
^ strut and spring assembly upper mounting bracket
^ upper spring seat
^ wheel hub
^ lug bolts
^ front wheel bearing
^ front suspension lower arm ball joints
^ front wheel knuckle
^ front stabilizer bar and brackets
^ front suspension lower and mounting bolt bushing (horizontal)
^ strut and spring assembly
^ stabilizer control link

The front strut and spring assemblies can be disassembled to install any of the new individual components. New LH or RH front strut and spring assemblies can be installed independently. The front suspension system can also be disassembled in order to install new:
^ front wheel knuckle
^ wheel hub
^ lug bolts
^ front wheel bearing
^ front suspension lower arms
^ front suspension lower arm mounting bolt bushings (horizontal)

New front stabilizer bar components can be installed individually. The rear suspension system consists of the following components:
^ rear spring
^ rear shock absorber
^ rear wheel knuckle and bushing
^ lower lateral link
^ upper lateral link
^ bump stopper

New LH and RH rear wheel knuckles can be installed individually.
The rear suspension arm and bushings can be installed individually.
Only toe can be adjusted on the rear suspension.

Wheel Alignment Angles





Camber
Camber is the inward or outward tilting of the wheels at the top.
When the wheel tilts out at the top, then the camber is positive (+).
When the wheel tilts in at the top, then the camber is negative (-).





Caster
Caster is the tilting of the steering axis either forward or backward from vertical.

A backward tilt is positive (+) and a forward tilt is negative (-). Front caster adjustment is not a separate procedure on this vehicle. Front caster should fall within specification when the front camber is adjusted.





Toe
Toe is a measurement of how much the front of the wheels are turned in or out from the straight-ahead position.

When the wheels are turned in toward the front of the vehicle, toe is positive (+) (toe inch). When the wheels are turned out toward the front of the vehicle, toe is negative (-) (toe out). Toe is measured in degrees, from side to side, and totaled.