Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Adjustment Cautions
Before making front end alignment adjustments, check the following points:
- Wheel bearings must be properly adjusted.
- Steering linkage and suspension must not have excessive looseness. Check for wear in tie rod ball ends and ball joints.
- Tires should be approximately equal in tread wear and runout must not be excessive. Tires and wheels should be in balance and inflated to manufacturers specifications.
- Car must be at curb height with full fuel tank, no passenger load, spare tire in place but no load in trunk.
- Car must be on level floor and at normal running height. Bounce front end of car several times and allow it to settle to running height.
- If steering wheel not centered with front wheels in straight ahead position, correct by shortening one tie rod adjusting sleeve and lengthening opposite sleeve.
- Ensure wheel lug nuts are tightened to manufacturers specifications as shown in following table.WHEEL LUG NUTS TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS
Application Ft. Lbs. American Motors 75 Buick Century, Skyhawk 70 All Others 90 Cadillac Seville 80 All Others 100 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice 80-100 All Others 60-80 Chrysler Corp Valiant, Dart, Aspen, Volare 55 All Others 65 Ford Motor Co 95 Oldsmobile 88 & 98 100 Toronado 130 All Others 80 Pontiac Catalina, Bonneville 75 All Others 70
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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