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.
SYS.OK|MANUAL.DB● LIVE
HOMESERVICE MANUALSMERCURY1982COUGAR/XR7 V8-255 4.2LREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISMAINTENANCEALIGNMENTSERVICE AND REPAIR
1982 Mercury Cougar/XR7 V8-255 4.2L
Alignment: Service and Repair
1982 Mercury Cougar/XR7 V8-255 4.2LSECTION Service and Repair
CASTER
ADJUST
The caster angle of this suspension is factory set and cannot be adjusted.
CAMBER
ADJUST
1982
The camber angles of this suspension are factory set and cannot be adjusted in the field.
1983-87
1. Remove pop rivet from camber plate.
2. Loosen 3 camber plate-to-body apron nuts.
3. Move top of shock strut as needed to bring camber angle within specifications, then tighten nuts. It is not necessary to replace the pop rivet.
TOE-IN
ADJUST
1. Check to see that steering shaft and steering wheel marks are in alignment and in the top position.
2. Loosen clamp screw on the tie rod bellows and free the seal on the rod to prevent twisting of the bellows, Fig. 1.
3. Place opened end wrench on flats of tie rod socket to prevent socket from turning, then loosen tie rod jam nuts.
4. Use suitable pliers to turn the tie rod inner end to correct the adjustment to specifications. Do not use pliers on tie rod threads. Turning to reduce number of threads showing will increase toe-in. Turning in the opposite direction will reduce toe-in.
5. Torque tie rod jam nuts to 43-50 ft. lbs.
ADJUST
The caster angle of this suspension is factory set and cannot be adjusted.
CAMBER
ADJUST
1982
The camber angles of this suspension are factory set and cannot be adjusted in the field.
1983-87
1. Remove pop rivet from camber plate.
2. Loosen 3 camber plate-to-body apron nuts.
3. Move top of shock strut as needed to bring camber angle within specifications, then tighten nuts. It is not necessary to replace the pop rivet.
TOE-IN
ADJUST
Fig. 1 Toe-in adjustment:
1. Check to see that steering shaft and steering wheel marks are in alignment and in the top position.
2. Loosen clamp screw on the tie rod bellows and free the seal on the rod to prevent twisting of the bellows, Fig. 1.
3. Place opened end wrench on flats of tie rod socket to prevent socket from turning, then loosen tie rod jam nuts.
4. Use suitable pliers to turn the tie rod inner end to correct the adjustment to specifications. Do not use pliers on tie rod threads. Turning to reduce number of threads showing will increase toe-in. Turning in the opposite direction will reduce toe-in.
5. Torque tie rod jam nuts to 43-50 ft. lbs.
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
Recommended Tools & Savings
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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.