Front Wheel Alignment: Adjustment

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Lexus RX 350. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

INSPECT TIRES (See INSPECTION )

MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT

Measure vehicle height.

Vehicle height: Except air suspension

VEHICLE HEIGHT SPECIFICATION - EXCEPT AIR SUSPENSION

	Front B - A	Roar D - C
FF	119.6 mm (4.71 in.)	41.1 mm (1.62 in.)
4WD	109.6 mm (4.32 in.)	31.1 mm (1.22 in.)

Air suspension

VEHICLE HEIGHT SPECIFICATION - AIR SUSPENSION

	Front B - A	Rear D - C
FF	116.9 mm (4.60 in.)	41.1 mm (1.62 in.)
4WD	111.9 mm (4.41 in.)	36.1 mm (1.42 in.)

Fig 1: Identifying Ground Clearance Measuring Points

Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Measuring points:

Ground clearance of lower suspension arm No. 2 bush set bolt center
Ground clearance of front wheel center
Ground clearance of strut rod set bolt center
Ground clearance of rear wheel center

NOTE: Before inspecting the wheel alignment, adjust the vehicle height to the specified range.

HINT:

Bounce the vehicle up and down at the corners to stabilize the suspension and inspect vehicle height.

INSPECT TOE-IN

Inspect toe-in.

Toe-in

TOE-IN SPECIFICATION

Toe-in (total)	-
A + B: C - D:	0° +- 12' (0° +- 0.2°) 0 +- 2 mm (0 +- 0.08 in.)

If the toe-in is not within the specified range, adjust it at the rack ends.

Fig 2: Inspecting Toe-In

Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

ADJUST TOE-IN
1. Remove the rack boot set clips.
2. Loosen the tie rod end lock nuts.
3. Turn the right and left rack ends by equal amounts to adjust the toe-in.
  HINT:
  
  Try to adjust the toe-in to the center of the specified range.
4. Make sure that the lengths of the right and left rack ends are the same.
5. Place the boots on the seats and install the clips.
  HINT:
  
  Make sure that the boots are not twisted.
  
  Fig 3: Adjusting Toe-In
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
6. Tighten the tie rod end lock nuts.
  Torque: 74 N*m (755 kgf*cm, 55 ft.*lbf)
7. Perform VSC system calibration (See CALIBRATION ).

INSPECT WHEEL ANGLE

Turn the steering wheel fully left and right and measure the turning angle.

Wheel turning angle: Except air suspension

WHEEL TURNING ANGLE

	Inside wheel	Outside wheel: Reference
FF	35°28' +- 2° (35.47° +- 2°)	31°13' (31.22°)
4WD	35°41l +- 2° (35.68° +- 2°)	31 °22' (31.37°)

Fig 4: Measuring Turning Angle

Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Air suspension

WHEEL TURNING ANGLE

	Inside wheel	Outside wheel: Reference
FF	35°42' +- 2° (35.70° +- 2°)	31 °18' (31.30°)
4WD	35°48' +- 2° (35.80° +- 2°)	31°18' (31.30°)

If the right and left inside wheel angles differ from the specified value, check the right and left rack end lengths.

INSPECT CAMBER, CASTER AND STEERING AXIS INCLINATION

Put the front wheel on the center of the alignment tester.

Fig 5: Inspecting Camber, Caster And Steering Axis Inclination
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Set the camber-caster-king pin gauge and attachment at the center of the axle hub or drive shaft.

Camber, caster and steering axis inclination:

Except air suspension

CAMBER, CASTER AND STEERING AXIS INCLINATION

	FF	4WD
Camber Right-left difference	-0°40' +- 45' (-0.67° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less	-0°35' +- 45' (-0.58° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less
Caster Right-left difference	2°451 +- 451 (2.75° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less	2°45' +- 45' (2.75° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less
Steering axis inclination Right-left difference	10°45' +- 451 (10.75° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less	10°45' +- 45' (10.75° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less

Fig 6: Identifying Shock Absorber Nuts

Air suspension

CAMBER, CASTER AND STEERING AXIS INCLINATION

	FF	4WD
Camber Right-left difference	-0°40' +- 45' (-0.67° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less	-0°37' +- 45' (-0.62° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less
Caster Right-left difference	2°5r +- 45' (2.85° +- 0.75°) 45* (0.75°) or less	2°50' + 45' (2.83° +- 0.75°) 45'(0.75°) or less
Steering axis inclination Right-left difference	10°42' +- 45' (10.70° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less	10°35' +- 45' (10.58° +- 0.75°) 45' (0.75°) or less

If the caster and steering axis inclination are not within the specified range after the camber has been correctly adjusted, recheck the suspension parts for damage and/or wear.

ADJUST CAMBER
NOTE: After the camber has been adjusted, inspect the toe-in.
1. Remove the front wheel.
2. Remove the 2 nuts on the lower side of the front shock absorber. (Procedure "B")
  NOTE: When removing the nuts, keep the bolts from rotating.
3. Clean the installation surfaces of the shock absorber and the steering knuckle.
4. Temporarily install the 2 nuts.
5. Adjust the camber by pushing or pulling the lower side of the shock absorber in the direction in which the camber adjusts the nuts.
6. Tighten the nuts.
  Torque: 230 N*m (2,350 kgf*cm, 170 ft.*lbf)
  
  NOTE: When installing the nuts, keep the bolts from rotating and then torque the nuts.
7. Install the front wheel.
  Torque: 103 N*m (1,050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*lbf)
8. Check the camber.
  HINT:
  - Try to adjust the camber to the center of the specified range.
  - Adjusting value for the set bolts is 6' to 30' (0.1° to 0.5°).
    
    Fig 7: Adjusting Camber
    Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    
    If the camber is not within the specified range, estimate how much additional camber adjustment will be required, and select the camber adjusting bolt.
    
    NOTE: Tighten the adjusting bolt with a new nut.
    
    Fig 8: Camber Adjusting Bolt Reference Table
    Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
9. Perform the step mentioned above again. At procedure "B", replace 1 or 2 selected bolts.
  HINT:
  
  When replacing the 2 bolts, replace 1 bolt at a time.