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.
Toe Pattern Adjustment
After a toe pattern arc has been plotted, and is outside of allotted area on toe pattern graph, steering gear, rear toe links or both must be adjusted. If front toe pattern requires adjustment, steering gear can be raised using split shims. If steering gear must be lowered, gear mountings are misaligned and will require alignment.
If rear toe pattern requires adjustment, rear toe links can be raised or lowered using toe link shims. The rear toe links are mounted to frame in vertical elongated holes that allow toe link to be moved up or down. Toe link shims in increments of .079" (2 mm) above or below design (nominal) are used to position toe link. A .079" (2 mm) change in steering gear or toe link height will effect toe pattern by about .15 degrees when measured from design height (nominal) to either jounce or rebound positions. It is typical for a shim to have about .039" (1.0 mm) up and down play.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.