Caster is also not adjustable for most front wheel drive vehicles. Caster is the angle from vertical that the wheel pivots on when turned. Official factory workshop manuals also supply the information, but they often go into more detail than we need, and they usually cost more. ) Improper tire inflation.
STEP 6: All Toe and thrust angle readings can be seen when you are standing under the vehicle. Parts will need to be replaced in order to achieve manufacturer settings. THERE ARE THREE FACTORS contributing to proper front-end wheel alignment, and all of them must be in order if your car is to handle safely and if the tires, suspension and steering components are to live to their full maturity. Determine the positive camber (2) or negative camber (3) angle. Ideally, tires should wear evenly across the thread. Lead/pull is defined as follows: At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull is the amount of effort required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle's straight path. Add additional weight if necessary to simulate a full tank. Step by step wheel alignment procedure pdf file. Jounce the front and the rear bumpers 3 times prior to checking the wheel alignment. Repair may require replacement of suspension components.
Continuing to drive and ignore such symptoms will only make the condition of your tyres, steering, and handling of your vehicle become worse. Allow the vehicle to rise. 4 wheel alignment - 7 easy steps. A few factory manuals will express toe as an angle (1985 VW Vanagon toe is 20 minutes in, + /- 30 minutes). When the adjustments are complete, hold the cam bolt head in order to ensure the cam bolt position does not change while tightening the nut. Toe is the automotive equivalent of a pigeon-toed stance; the front tires on nearly all rear-wheel-drive cars are set to point in slightly to help you go straight down the highway.
Tighten cam nuts to specification. Frame angle is negative when lower in the rear. The best solution is to get it checked regularly. Step by step wheel alignment procedure pdf online. Adjust the caster and the camber angle by turning the cam bolts until the specifications have been met. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Is the direction of your vehicle pulling to another side? 8: Trim Height Specifications. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure.
TRIM HEIGHT TRIM HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS Trim height is a predetermined measurement relating to vehicle ride height. Crucial steering and suspension parts might be affected as well. Camber is vertical toe-in; the tires on many cars tilt slightly inward from top to bottom (negative) or outward (positive) to facilitate handling in turns. Perform the following before measuring the trim heights: 1. This is to ensure directional stability. Positive caster gives the wheels an inherent tendency to center. Repeat the jouncing operation 2 more times for a total of 3 times. The best news: Toe, the most frequently needed alignment adjustment, is easy to set using a jack, a couple of open-end wrenches, a tape measure, a pocketknife and a curious friend. Therefore 'Toe-in' will now become 'Toe-out' etc. Do-It-Yourself Wheel Alignment Guide – Mother Earth News. Measure from the pivot bolt center line (3) down to the lower corner (5) of the lower ball joint (1) in order to obtain the Z height measurement (4). The caster and camber adjustments are made by rotating the offset cam bolt and the cam in the slotted frame bracket in order to reposition the control arm NOTE: Before adjusting the caster and camber angles, jounce the front bumper three times to allow the vehicle to return to normal height. Contact the team today to see what we can do for you.
You can find your car's toe setting in a manual at the library (look for Motors Manuals) or from one of the popular series of repair guides available from bookstores. Inspect the wheel bearings for backlash and excessive play. Please remember the heads are now the correct way around so the reading will read correctly. We cannot view a misalignment purely by the naked eye. For vehicles equipped with a torsion bar suspension turn the bolt (1) that contacts the torsion arm clockwise to raise the and counterclockwise to lower the height adjustment. Consequences of caster misalignment: Did you know?
The D height is obtained by measuring the distance between the edge of the jounce cup along the jounce bumper center line and the jounce pad on the rear axle. MEASURING WHEEL ALIGNMENT 2003-04 WHEEL ALIGNMENT Specifications & Procedures - Hummer - H2 Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. 7: Wheel Alignment Specifications TRIM HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS Use illustration for trim height specifications. Inspect vehicle load: Inspect the fuel level. Then subtract the average frame angle from the caster reading when making adjustments. These are just a few steps on how to do the wheel alignment for your vehicle.
If this isn't carried out the tell-tale sign will be the steering wheel, which will not be centred. Measure the Z dimension. Turn plates must be used on all wheels that need adjusting and carrying out the procedure set out in the following picture sequence is the correct format to work to. Providing all the adjusters are moving freely, a full four wheel measurement and adjustment can be carried out in 15 minutes. The true Z height dimension number is the average of the high and the low measurements. Loosen the upper control arm cam adjustment bolts. NOTE: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. The camber on most front wheel drive vehicles is not adjustable. Repeat the operation for a total of 3 times. Different car models have different alignment specifications which are determined by the manufacturers. We use a special computerized alignment machine that is pre-loaded with every vehicle's alignment specifications. Inspect the runout of the wheels and the tires. Make sure the rear compartment is empty except for the spare tire.
The toe will be expressed as a range, usually in inches or millimeters. Inspect the steering gear for looseness at the frame. Do not reinstall the cam insert. Determine the caster angle (2). Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface, such as an alignment rack. If your front end checks out in good condition, you're ready to align. Inspect the struts/shock absorbers for wear, leaks, and any noticeable noises. Install the alignment equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. To minimize the frequency of tire change and better fuel efficiency, have your wheel alignment checked. Cars with a fixed axle can't be adjusted for rear Toe, however thrust angle compensation can be carried out using the correct procedure. The difference between the two measurements is the toe-in or -out; smaller numbers in front mean toe-in. Furthermore, at the risk of overgeneralizing, most cars will work fine with about 1/16 inch toe-in. 6: Locating Cam Adjuster Bolt FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT 1.
Rotate the inner tie rod to the required toe specification setting. The bad news: You can't accurately adjust camber and caster at home with simple tools. So why most vehicles have their front wheels toe-in? STEP 7: Optional Camber/Castor adjustment. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems. Make sure that the wheel bearings are properly adjusted, that the ball joints are in good shape and that the steering gear box (if so equipped) is properly adjusted. Have you noticed an uneven tyre wear? If yes, it is confirmed that your vehicle needs an alignment. With the aid of your cohort, measure the distance between the lines on the fronts of the tires at points level with the spindles. One revolution of the bolt (1) into the nut increases the Z height by approximately 0. 2: Adjusting Z Height D Height Measurement NOTE: The D height dimension measurement determines the proper rear end ride height. What will the mechanic do? In general, if you can grip each wheel firmly and shake it without feeling much looseness–either horizontally or vertically–things are in pretty good order.