The difference between the two measurements is the toe-in or -out; smaller numbers in front mean toe-in. We cannot view a misalignment purely by the naked eye. Step by step wheel alignment procedure pdf version. With the vehicle on a flat surface, lift upward on the rear bumper 1. Before performing any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, perform the following inspections and adjustments in order to ensure correct alignment readings: Inspect the tires for the proper inflation and irregular tire wear. Inspect the vehicle trim height.
There are four main areas that the mechanic will be adjusting: toe, camber, caster, and thrust. When the caster and camber are within specifications, adjust the toe. See FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT. Allow the vehicle to rise. Push the front bumper of the vehicle down about 1. TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS Application Ft. Do-It-Yourself Wheel Alignment Guide – Mother Earth News. Lbs (N. m) Tie Rod Jam Nut 50 (68) Upper/Lower Control Arm Cam Bolt Nuts 140 (190). For example, all 1982 to 1985 Chevrolet Celebrities should have between 1/16 inch toe-in and 1/16 inch toe-out. ) The good news: Caster and camber don't usually need to be adjusted unless the car's been in an accident, and they're only adjustable by extreme means (such as bending a part) on many cars.
Make sure the rear compartment is empty except for the spare tire. Ideally, tires should wear evenly across the thread. Adjust the toe by loosening the lock nuts on the tie-rod ends next to both spindles and taking up the desired adjustment equally on each side to keep the steering wheel centered. For minimum tire wear and power loss, the wheels of a vehicle should be pointing straight ahead. Procedure of wheel alignment. Poor alignment causes uneven wear and can shorten a tire's life by thousands of kilometers. Allow the vehicle to settle into position. If these measurements are out of specifications, inspect for the following conditions: Sagging front suspension. Determine the positive camber (2) or negative camber (3) angle. A few factory manuals will express toe as an angle (1985 VW Vanagon toe is 20 minutes in, + /- 30 minutes). Proper air suspension operation.
Furthermore, at the risk of overgeneralizing, most cars will work fine with about 1/16 inch toe-in. 7: Wheel Alignment Specifications TRIM HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS Use illustration for trim height specifications. 3: Measuring D Height ADJUSTMENTS FRONT CASTER & CAMBER ADJUSTMENT 1. Save your details for express checkout. Manual wheel alignment tool. The fuel tank should be full or the vehicle should have a compensating load added. 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. STEP 1: Lock the steering wheel in the straight ahead position and apply the brake pedal depressor if measuring Castor/Camber (optional gauge required). This is to ensure directional stability. 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). Unless your car has unusually large or small tires, you can figure around 1/32 inches for each 10 minutes.
If normally carried in the vehicle, these items should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments. 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. Sagging rear coil springs. 1: Measuring Z Height Z Height Adjustment. See the car diagrams in the image gallery. Check out our wheel alignments click here. The toe will be expressed as a range, usually in inches or millimeters. TRIM HEIGHT TRIM HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS Trim height is a predetermined measurement relating to vehicle ride height. Once the vehicle type is determined, the high tech and precise measuring begins. Then subtract the average frame angle from the caster reading when making adjustments. 4 Wheel Alignment Explained | Commonwealth Motors. 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. A slight misalignment of the toe will result in a reduction in tire life. Z Height Measurement 1.
Lower the car to the ground, and push down on each fender a few times to move the suspension and allow the car to settle on its springs. Please remember the heads are now the correct way around so the reading will read correctly. 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. Inspect the struts/shock absorbers for wear, leaks, and any noticeable noises. If you imagine this line extending to the ground, the point of contact will be in front of where the tire touches the ground. This do-it-yourself wheel alignment guide provides step-by-step instructions and diagrams to get your wheels in alignment. STEP 5: Fit the measuring heads to the front wheels and fit the centre line scales to the rear wheels. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.