Suspension Alignment; Inspection Before Checking Alignment; Checking And Adjusting Sequence; Adjust Caster And Camber - Pontiac tempest 1968 Service Manual

FRONT SUSPENSION
3-3
b. Back off the adjusting nut until loose.
c. Tighten adjusting nut 20-25 lb. i n . torque.
d. Loosen adjusting nut until nearest cotter pin
hole i n spindle lines up with a slot in the adjusting
nut.
NOTE; There are two locking holes.
e. This should result in the desired l i m i t s of
.001" to .005" end play.
4. Insert cotter pin, and clinch over. Be sure
ends do not interfere with dust cap.
5. Install dust cap and lower t i r e to ground.
HAND FEEL METHOD (Optional)
1. Raise wheel and t i r e assembly off ground.
2. Remove dust cap and cotter pin from adjusting
nut.
3. Adjust bearing as follows:
a. Tighten adjusting nut with 8" or 10" wrench,
using enough a r m length leverage to ensure parts
are properly seated while spinning wheel.
b. Back off nut until loose, then tighten nut fin­
ger tight.
c. I f hole in spindle lines up with slot in nut,
install cotter pin. I f not, back off nut to next slot
and install cotter pin.
d. Spin wheel - i f wheel feels tight then back
off one more slot and readjust, be sure brake
shoes are not dragging.
4. Clinch cotter pin and cut off extra length to
ensure ends w i l l not interfere with dust cap.
5. Install dust cap and lower t i r e to ground.
SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT
Front suspension components are adjusted to a
specific alignment while the vehicle is motionless
so that suspension components can properly func­
tion together when vehicle is moving to minimize
t i r e wear and maintain desirable steering and
handling characteristics.
INSPECTION BEFORE CHECKING
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Before any checking or corrective work is started
on wheel alignment elements, including toe-in,
caster, camber, steering axis inclination, and toe-
out on turns, the following items which w i l l affect
steering should be considered:
1. Check t i r e inflation and bring to recommended
pressure,
2. Check front wheel bearing adjustment and cor­
rect i f necessary.
3. Check wheel and t i r e run-out.
4. Check wheel and t i r e for excessive unbalance
which would affect steering.
5. Check spherical ball joints.
6. Check steering linkage for looseness. Replace
or tighten parts.
7. Check shock absorbers for leaks or lack of
control.
8. Check for extraordinary load i n car. Remove
load or compensate for setting height. (Samples,
tools, etc., carried regularly should not be con­
sidered extraordinary load.)
9. Check for proper lubrication of front end.
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING SEQUENCE-
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
A l l measurements and adjustments should be made
in the following order.
a. Curb height (see Curb Height chart in
section 0).
b. Caster and camber.
c. Toe-in
d. Steering axis inclination.
e. Toe-out on turns.
ADJUST CASTER AND CAMBER
Caster and camber are adjusted to specifications
by placing shims between the upper pivot shafts and
the frame (Fig. 3-4). Both adjustments can be made
at the same time. In order to remove or install
shims, raise car to remove weight from front wheel,
then loosen the control arm shaft to frame bolts.
Addition to camber angles moves top of wheel out-
substraction in. Fig. 3-5, shows tool J 22618 which
must be used to loosen upper control arm shaft to
frame bolts on the Pontiac.