Alignment: Service and Repair
Wheel AlignmentThe suspension can be adjusted for front camber, front toe, and rear toe. However, each of these adjustments are related to each other. For example, when you adjust camber, the toe will change. Therefore, you must adjust the front wheel alignment whenever you adjust camber or toe.
Pre-Alignment Checks
For proper inspection and adjustment of the wheel alignment, do these checks:
1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Make sure the suspension is not modified.
3. Check the tire size and pressure.
Tire size:
DX and DX-G models:
Front/Rear: P195/65R15 89H
LX, EX, and EX-L models:
Front/Rear: P205/55RI6 89H
Si model:
Front/Rear: P215/45R17 87V, 215/45ZR17 91W (optional)
Tire Pressure (4-door except Si model) (at cold):
DX and DX-G models:
Front/Rear: 210 kPa (2.1 kgf/cm2, 30 psi)
LX, EX, and EX-L models:
Front/Rear: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi)
Tire Pressure (4-door Si model) (at cold):
With ABS (P215/45R17 87V tire):
Front: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi)
Rear: 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2, 29 psi)
With ABS (215/45ZR17 91W tire):
Front/Rear: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 32 psi)
With VSA:
Front/Rear: 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 33 psi)
Tire Pressure (2-door except Si model) (at cold):
Front/Rear: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 32 psi)
Tire Pressure (2-door Si model) (at cold):
With ABS (P215/45R17 87V tire):
Front: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi)
Rear: 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2, 29 psi)
With ABS (215/45ZR17 91W tire):
Front/Rear: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi)
With VSA:
Front/Rear: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 32 psi)
4. Check the runout of the wheels and tires.
5. Check the suspension ball joints. (Hold a tire with your hands, and move it up and down and right and left to check for wobbling.)
6. Bounce the vehicle up and down several times to settle the suspension.
7. Check that the steering column is set at the center tilt and telescopic position.
Caster Inspection
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Check the caster angle.
Caster angle: 7°00' ± 1°
^ If the measurement is within specifications, measure the camber angle.
^ If the measurement is not within specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.
Camber Inspection
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Front Camber Adjustment
The front camber can be adjusted by exchanging one or both of the damper pinch bolts with a smaller diameter adjusting bolt. The difference between the adjusting bolt diameter and the pinch bolt hole diameter allows for a small range of adjustment.
1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Loosen the damper pinch bolts (A), and adjust the camber angle by moving the bottom of the damper within the range of the damper pinch bolt free play.
4. Tighten the damper pinch bolts to the specified torque.
5. Clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheels.
6. Lower the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the front of the vehicle up and down several times to settle the suspension.
7. Measure the camber angle.
^ If the measurement is within specification, measure the toe-in.
^ If the measurement is not within specification, go to step 8.
8. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
9. Remove the front wheels.
10. Replace the damper pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts (A), and adjust the camber angle.
11. Tighten the adjusting bolts to the specified torque value.
12. Clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheels.
13. Lower the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the front of the vehicle up and down several times-to settle the suspension.
14. Measure the camber angle. If the camber angle is not within specification, repeat step 8 through 13 to readjust the camber angle. If the camber measurement is correct, measure toe-in, and adjust it if necessary.
Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Set the steering column to the center tilt and center telescopic position, then center the steering wheel spokes, and install a steering wheel holder tool.
2. Check the toe with the wheels pointed straight ahead.
Front toe-in: 0±2 mm (0±0.08 in.)
^ If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
^ If no adjustment is required, go to rear toe inspection/adjustment.
3. Loosen the tie-rod locknuts (A) while holding the flat surface sections (B) of the tie-rod end with a wrench, and turn both tie-rods (C) until the front toe is within specifications.
4. After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts. Reposition the rack-end boot if it is twisted or displaced.
5. Go to rear toe inspection/adjustment.
Rear Toe Inspection/Adjustment
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Check the toe.
Rear toe-in: 2+2 -1 mm (0.08+0.08 -0.04 in.)
^ If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
^ If no adjustment is required, remove the alignment equipment.
3. Hold the adjusting bolt (A) on the trailing arm (B), and remove the self-locking nut (C).
4. Replace the self-locking nut with a new one, and lightly tighten it.
NOTE:
^ Always use a new self-locking nut whenever it has been loosened.
^ Reassemble the adjusting bolt and adjusting cam plate with the eccentric facing up.
5. Adjust the rear toe by turning the adjusting bolt until the toe is correct.
6. Tighten the self-locking nut while holding the adjusting bolt.
Turning Angle Inspection
Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Turn the wheel right and left while applying the brake, and measure the turning angle of both wheels.
2. If the turning angle is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.