Adjustments
Wheel alignment
Eccentrics
• May be used to adjust camber and caster
• Can be found on an upper and lower control
arms
Wheel alignment
Slotted Frame
• May be used to adjust camber and caster
• Slotted holes under control arm inner shaft
that allow the shaft to be repositioned to the
correct caster and camber settings
• One end of shaft is moved for caster
adjustment
• Both ends are moved for camber adjustment
Wheel alignment
MacPherson Strut Adjustments
• Camber/Caster can only be adjusted on
certain models
• Some aftermarket kits are available to make
adjustment possible or easier
Wheel alignment
Camber
• Most popular type of
adjustment is a cam
bolt at the base of the
strut assembly which is
used to adjust camber
Wheel alignment
MacPherson Strut Adjustments
• Bolt can be located on either the upper or
lower holes of the knuckle
• Both bolts must be loosened to make
adjustment.
Wheel alignment
MacPherson Strut Adjustments
• Another version of Caster/Camber
adjustments is at the upper strut plate
• Slots in the upper plate allow the strut to be
shifted to reach proper specifications
Wheel alignment
Wheel alignment
Rear Wheel Camber
• Is vital on just like front camber. We want
the wheel to contact the road completely
• There are a few methods used to adjust rear
camber
Wheel alignment
Rear Wheel Camber
• Some vehicles may use different size of
shims between rear spindle and mounting
area. These will adjust camber and toe in
one shot.
• Thickness varies
through the entire
diameter of the shim
Wheel alignment
Rear Wheel Camber
• Others may use eccentric bolts and cams at
mounting points for the control arm or
trailing arm
Wheel alignment
Toe Adjustment
• Toe is always the last angle to be set (front)
• Always start by making sure the steering
wheel is locked in the center position with
the front wheels pointing ahead
Wheel alignment
Toe Adjustment
• Loosen retaining bolts on the tie rod
adjusting sleeves. Turn the sleeves to move
the tie rod ends
Wheel alignment
Toe Adjustment
• Rack/Pinion: loosen lock nut and remove
outer bellows clamp from rack/pinion boot
• Turn inner tie rod to adjust toe
Wheel alignment
Rear Toe Adjustment
• FWD: can be done by using factory provided
adjustment points, toe/camber shims, or
eccentric bushing kits
• RWD: changing toe is not easy. It may
involve either pulling the chassis
• If the rear toe cannot be changed the next
best thing would be to align the front wheels
to the thrust line of the vehicle rather than
the center line. This will fix a crooked
steering wheel
Wheel alignment
Rear Toe Adjustment
• If the rear toe cannot be changed the next
best thing would be to align the front wheels
to the thrust line of the vehicle rather than
the center line.
• This will not eliminate dog tracking; the rear
wheels will not follow the front directly
behind
