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.
2003 Kia Sorento V6-3.5LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Toe-In
TOE-IN
Toe-in is a measurement of how much the front wheels are turned in or out from a straight-ahead position. When the wheels are turned in (toward each other at front), the toe is "Positive" (+). When the wheels are turned out (away from each other at front), the toe is "negative" (-). The actual amount of toe is normally only a fraction of a degree. The purpose of toe is to insure that the wheels roll parallel. Toe also serves to offset the small deflections of the wheel support system which occur when the vehicle is rolling forward. In other words, even when the wheels are set to toe in or out slightly when the vehicle is standing still, they tend to roll parallel on the road when the vehicle is moving. Toe affects tire wear.
INSPECTION (TOE-IN)
1. Position the vehicle on level ground and place the front wheels in a straight-ahead position within ± 5 degrees.
2. Measure the toe-in with a standard toe-in gauge.
Toe-in (B-A):
0.1024 ± 0.098 inch (2.6 ± 2.5 mm) (No Passenger Load)
0 inch (0 mm) (2 Passenger Load)
ADJUSTMENT (TOE-IN)
1. Loosen the left and right tie-rod lock nuts.
2. Toe to specifications by turning the tie-rod by the center adjuster.
3. Tighten the left and right tie-rod lock nuts.
Tightening torque: 50 - 55 Nm (5.0 - 5.5 kg-m, 36 - 39 ft. lbs.).
4. Repeat adjustment instructions for opposite side.
Toe-in is a measurement of how much the front wheels are turned in or out from a straight-ahead position. When the wheels are turned in (toward each other at front), the toe is "Positive" (+). When the wheels are turned out (away from each other at front), the toe is "negative" (-). The actual amount of toe is normally only a fraction of a degree. The purpose of toe is to insure that the wheels roll parallel. Toe also serves to offset the small deflections of the wheel support system which occur when the vehicle is rolling forward. In other words, even when the wheels are set to toe in or out slightly when the vehicle is standing still, they tend to roll parallel on the road when the vehicle is moving. Toe affects tire wear.
INSPECTION (TOE-IN)
1. Position the vehicle on level ground and place the front wheels in a straight-ahead position within ± 5 degrees.
2. Measure the toe-in with a standard toe-in gauge.
Toe-in (B-A):
0.1024 ± 0.098 inch (2.6 ± 2.5 mm) (No Passenger Load)
0 inch (0 mm) (2 Passenger Load)
ADJUSTMENT (TOE-IN)
1. Loosen the left and right tie-rod lock nuts.
2. Toe to specifications by turning the tie-rod by the center adjuster.
3. Tighten the left and right tie-rod lock nuts.
Tightening torque: 50 - 55 Nm (5.0 - 5.5 kg-m, 36 - 39 ft. lbs.).
4. Repeat adjustment instructions for opposite side.
Factory Service Tools
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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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