Front End Alignment Settings & Service Procedures (93-23-24)

WARNING: This page is about the Explorer 2D Utility, 4WD, Automatic, which is a different variant/trim than selected.

Publication date: 1993-11-10
Reference number: 93-23-24

FRONT END ALIGNMENT SETTINGS & SERVICE PROCEDURES

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): 93-23-24, Date of Issue: November 10, 1993

SUSPENSION - FRONT - ALIGNMENT SETTINGS

SUSPENSION - FRONT ALIGNMENT - SERVICE PROCEDURES - 1994 MODEL SERVICE PARTS USAGE

APPLICATION

Model(s): FORD LIGHT TRUCK: 1994 Aerostar, Bronco, Explorer,

F Super Duty, F-150-350 Series, Ranger

Group: Suspension

Bulletin No.: 93-23-24

Date: November 10, 1993

ISSUE:

Front end alignment on light trucks may occasionally require adjustment. Information about the service parts available to provide the adjustments and service setting objective is featured in this article.

ACTION:

If diagnostics indicate the need for front alignment adjustment, use the optimum alignment settings and caster/camber adjustment parts list provided below.

DETAILED SERVICE PROCEDURE

The following chart has been created to give optimum alignment settings and to recommend allowable ranges for all light truck alignments. The ranges recommended in this chart are only guidelines within which most customers would not indicate concern with vehicle alignment.

When diagnostics indicate that an alignment adjustment may be required to resolve a customer concern, all of the vehicle's alignment parameters should be set to their optimum values to assure customer satisfaction.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS BEFORE CHECKING ALIGNMENT:

No driver and/or passenger
Full fluids
All tires set to specified air pressure
All tire sizes comparable to original equipment
Vehicle configured to normal operated condition (not to exceed max. front GAWR, max. rear GAWR and/or max. GVW).

DEFINITIONS

Camber Average is defined as LH camber plus RH camber divided by 2 (LH CAMBER + RH CAMBER)/2. Vehicles set to this specification, as measured with the vehicle loaded to normal loading conditions will result in optimum tire wear.
Caster Average is defined as LH caster plus RH Caster divided by 2 (LH CASTER + RH CASTER)/2.

These are NOT recommended values for settings. They are only maximum and minimum limitations. Vehicles outside these limits may exhibit the following:

Vehicles which exceed the maximum caster value may result in shimmy concerns.
Vehicles operated below the minimum caster value may result in wander and poor steering returnability concerns.
1. Camber Split is defined as LH camber minus RH camber (LH CAMBER - RH CAMBER).
2. Caster Split is defined as LH caster minus RH Caster (LH CASTER - RH CASTER).

SPECIAL NOTE - CASTER/CAMBER OUT OF RANGE

Vehicles with average caster and/or camber significantly out of specified ranges may have a ride height out of normal operating range. Normal service procedures may not provide adequate adjustment to bring the alignment to the preferred specification. If ride height appears to be an issue, investigate as follows:

Front ride height can be below specification if the front loading exceeds the rated capacity listed on the certification label. Weigh the front end and compare to the certification label to determine if an overload condition exists. If overloaded, adjust weight to bring vehicle back into compliance with the published weight limits, or re-rate the front suspension.
Front ride height can be abnormally high on lightly loaded vehicles equipped with heavy duty front suspension options or maximum FGAWR options. Adjust loading as required or revise front suspension rating.

The following alignment service parts usage chart provides correct parts usage for each type of vehicle. Select the appropriate parts group from these charts and use the caster/camber parts information chart to order the parts required.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 92-25-11, 92-8-13