Front Wheel Alignment: Adjustment

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Lexus GX 470. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

INSPECT TIRE (See TIRE & WHEEL )
MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT
Vehicle height:

Fig 1: Vehicle Height Specification
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Measuring points:

A: Ground clearance of front wheel center

B: Ground clearance of lower suspension arm No. 2 set bolt center

C: Ground clearance of rear wheel center

D: Ground clearance of strut rod set bolt center

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 2: Measuring Vehicle Height
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSPECT TOE-IN
Toe-in:

Fig 3: Toe-In Specification
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

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

Fig 4: 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 an equal amount to adjust the toe-in.
  HINT:
  
  Try to adjust the toe-in to the center of the specified value.
4. Make sure that the lengths of the right and left rack ends are the same.
5. Torque the tie rod end lock nuts.
  Torque: 88 N.m (897 kgf.cm, 65 ft.lbf)
6. Place the boots on the seats and install the clips.
HINT:

Make sure that the boots are not twisted.
INSPECT WHEEL ANGLE
1. Turn the steering wheel fully, and measure the turning angle.
  Wheel angle:
  
  Fig 6: Wheel Angle Specification
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
If the wheel angles differ from the standard of the specification, inspect the toe-in.

Fig 7: Inspecting Wheel Angle
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSPECT CAMBER, CASTER AND STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
1. Install the camber-caster-kingpin gauge or position vehicle on a wheel alignment tester.
2. Inspect the camber, the caster and the steering axis inclination.
Camber, caster and steering axis inclination:

Fig 8: Camber, Caster And Steering Axis Inclination
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Fig 9: Installing Camber-Caster-Kingpin Gauge
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

If the steering axis inclination is not as specified after adjusting the camber and the caster have been correctly adjusted, recheck the steering knuckle and the front wheel for distortion or looseness.
ADJUST CAMBER AND CASTER

NOTE: After adjusting the camber, inspect the toe-in.

Loosen the nut and the bolt.
Turn the camber adjust cam No. 2 and the toe adjust plate No. 2 in the circumference direction, and adjust the camber and the caster.
HINT:

Try to adjust the camber and caster to the center value.

Fig 10: Adjusting Camber And Caster
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
How to read adjustment chart (using examples).
1. Measure the alignment.
  Camber: 0°15' (0.25°)
  
  Caster: 2°45' (2.75°)
2. Make the difference between the standard value (A) and the measured value (B) on the adjustment chart.
  Standard value:
  
  Camber: 0°35' (0.58°)
  
  Caster: 2°55' (2.92°)
  
  Formula: B - A = C
  
  Camber: 0°15' - (0°35') = - 0°20'
  
  Caster: 2°45' - (2°55') = - 0°10'
3. As shown in the chart, read the distance from the marked point to 0 point, and adjust the front and/or rear adjusting cams accordingly.
  Toe adjust cam: - (Shorter) 2.8
  
  Camber adjust cam: - (Shorter) 1.8

Fig 12: Adjustment Chart