Front Wheel Alignment: Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Lexus IS 300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT
(Canada):

Fig 1: Vehicle Height (Sedan) Chart (Canada)
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

(Except Canada):

Fig 2: Vehicle Height (Sedan) Chart (Except Canada)
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Vehicle height (WAGON):

(Canada):

Fig 3: Vehicle Height (Wagon) Chart
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Measuring points:

A: Ground clearance of the front No.1 lower suspension arm mounting bolt center.

B: Ground clearance of the front wheel center.

C: Ground clearance of the rear wheel center.

D: Ground clearance of the No. 2 lower suspension arm mounting bolt (Suspension member side) tail center.

Vehicle height:

Front: B - A

Rear: C - D

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

If the vehicle height is not the specified value, try to adjust it by pushing down on or lifting the body.

Fig 4: Vehicle Height (Wagon) Measuring Points Chart (Except Canada)
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL CAMBER-CASTER-KINGPIN GAUGE OR POSITION VEHICLE ON WHEEL ALIGNMENT TESTER
Follow the specific instructions of the equipment manufacturer.

Fig 5: Installing Camber-Caster-Kingpin Gauge/Positioning Vehicle On Alignment Tester
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSPECT CAMBER, CASTER AND STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
Camber, caster and steering axis inclination (SEDAN):

(Canada):

Fig 6: Sedan Camber, Caster And Steering Axis Inclination Chart
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

(Except Canada):

Fig 7: Sedan Camber, Caster And Steering Axis Inclination Chart (Except Canada)
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Camber, caster and steering axis inclination (WAGON):

(Canada):

Fig 8: Wagon Camber, Caster And Steering Axis Inclination Chart (Canada)
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

(Except Canada):

Fig 9: Wagon Camber, Caster And Steering Axis Inclination Chart (Except Canada)
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

If the caster and steering axis inclination are not within the specified values, after the camber has been correctly adjusted, re-check the suspension parts for damaged and/or worn out parts.
ADJUST CAMBER
HINT:

After adjusting the camber, inspect the caster and toe-in.

Fig 10: Adjusting Camber
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
1. Loosen the camber adjusting cam nut of the No. 1 lower suspension arm.
2. Turn the camber adjusting cam of the No. 1 lower suspension arm and adjust the camber.
  HINT:
  - Try to adjust the camber to the center of the specified value.
  - Camber will change about 7.5' (0.13°) with each graduation of the adjusting cam.
3. Torque the camber adjusting cam nut of the No. 1 lower suspension arm.
  Torque: 184 N.m (1,880 kgf.cm, 136 ft.lbf)
INSPECT TOE-IN
Toe-in:

Fig 11: Toe-In Chart
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

If the toe-in is not within the specified value, adjust it at the rack ends.
ADJUST TOE-IN
1. Using pliers, remove the boot clips.
  
  Fig 12: Inspecting Toe-In
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Loosen the tie rod end lock nuts.
3. Turn the right and left rack ends by an equal amount to adjust the toe-in.
  HINT:
  
  Try to adjust the toe-in to the center of the specified value.
  
  Fig 13: Adjusting Toe-In
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
4. Make sure that the lengths of the right and left rack ends are same.
  Rack end length difference: 1.5 mm (0.059 in.) or less
5. Torque the tie rod end lock nuts.
  Torque: 56 N.m (570 kgf.cm, 41 ft.lbf)
6. Place the boots on the seats and using pliers, install the clips.
  
  Fig 14: Installing Clips
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
HINT:

Make sure that the boots are not twisted.

Fig 15: Wheel Turning Angle (Sedan) Chart
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSPECT WHEEL ANGLE
Turn the steering wheel fully, and measure the turning angle.

Wheel turning angle (SEDAN):

(Canada):

Fig 16: Inspecting Wheel Angle
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

(Except Canada):

Fig 17: Wheel Turning Angle (Sedan) Chart
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Wheel turning angle (WAGON):

(Canada):

Fig 18: Wheel Turning Angle (Wagon)
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

(Except Canada):

Fig 19: Wheel Turning Angle (Wagon) Except Canada
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

If the right and left inside wheel angles differ from the specified value, inspect the toe-in.