Preliminary Alignment Inspection

PRELIMINARY CHECKS

INSPECT TIRES





Inspect tires for wear and proper inflation pressure.
Check:
1. That both tires on axle have about the same wear.
2. The wear pattern across the tire. This is very helpful in diagnosing alignment and steering/suspension problems.

ROAD TEST VEHICLE
Road test the vehicle. This gives clues to the condition of components in steering and suspension systems.

INSPECT FRONT SUSPENSION
Inspect steering/suspension systems. Alignment angles cannot be set accurately if steering or suspension systems are worn or damaged.





1. Check suspension/steering components for wear or damage.
2. Check if cradle is bent.
3. Check front stabilizer shaft bushings for wear or damage.
4. Check lower control arms for worn ball studs, worn bushings, or bent arms.
5. Check steering gear for wear or damage.
6. Check inner and outer tie rod ends for wear or damage.
7. Check for loose wheel bearings.
8. Check trim height. Height must be within specifications before setting alignment.
9. Check strut assemblies for oil leaks, looseness, wear, binding, or dents.

IMPORTANT: When measuring alignment angles, it is critical that vehicle curb trim height be within specifications. If not correct, add or remove weight until trim height is correct. Refer to "Curb Trim Heights".

IMPORTANT: When performing a wheel alignment after any suspension system component removal and installation, the vehicle must be driven and/or the suspension system worked (manually jounced at least 20 times) to allow components to locate properly before alignment adjustment.

1. Install alignment equipment in accordance with the equipment manufacturers instructions.
2. Adjust tire pressures to correct specifications.
a. 207 kPa (30 psi) tire pressure - Front Tires.
b. 179 kPa (26 psi) tire pressure-Rear Tires.
3. Check cradle to body alignment at the two front cradle alignment holes using a 9/16 inch rod. If cradle to body alignment is not correct, loosen cradle fasteners and align cradle to body.
4. Measure alignment angles for each wheel.





Cross camber and cross caster specifications refer to the difference between the left and right side angles. Cross camber and cross caster can influence vehicle steering pull tendencies. Usually, alignment results will be best when these measurements are as close to zero as possible.

INSPECT REAR SUSPENSION





1. Check components for wear/damage.
2. Check if the cross support is bent.
3. Check trailing arm.
- Are bushings worn?
- Are arms bent?
4. Check lateral links.
- Are bushings worn?
- Are links bent?
5. Check trim height. Height must be correct before setting alignment. If not, are strut assemblies leaking, worn, binding, or bent?
6. Check rear stabilizer shaft on vehicles so equipped.
- Are bushings worn or missing?
- Is the shaft bent?