Saab SONETT III Service Manual page 103

S 3573
WHEEL AL1GNMENT
General
It is of the utmost importance that the front wheels be
correctly aligned, since incorrect steering geometry can
cause:
1. Driving fatigue, due to impaired roadability.
2. Increased tire and repair costs due to abnormal wear
of tires and steering mechanism.
If there is reason to suspect incorrect front-wheel align-
ment as the result of an accident or of driving into the
ditch, for example, or if road behaviour otherwise is
noticeably impaired, the car should immediately be taken
to an authorized service shop for inspection and adjust-
ment. Even if there is no direct reason to suspect faulty
wheel alignment, the car should nevertheless be checked
at regular intervals and adjusted whenever necessary.
The angles and dimensions directly affecting the front-
wheel alignment, all of which are closely interrelated,
are the following:
King-pin inclination
Caster
Camber
Toe-in and
Wheel turning angles
1. Check that the tire pressure is correct and that the
front tires are not too unevenly worn.
2. Check the front wheel bearings, control arm bearings,
ball joints and tie-rod ends, adjusting or replacing as
necessary in order to elinninate errors that can be
caused by worn parts.
3. Check the steering gear and adjust any fauits — see
Service Manual Saab V4.
4. Check the function of the shock absorbers and renew
any defective shock absorbers and rubber bushings.
5. If the car has been involved in an accident, driven into
the ditch, etc., any damage incurred must be repaired
before the alignment check. Distorted steering arms
must be rejected and new ones fitted, as restraightening
is not permitted.
6. I mmediately prior to the check, drive the car with
normal suspension movement but without hard corner-
ing in order to avoid deceptive misalignment. For the
same reason, the ear should also be rocked a few times.
1
FRONT-WHEEL ALIGNMENT
1. Toe-in
2.
Cam ber
3. King-pin inclination
4. Caster
601-1
SAAB
Nov. 1972