Plymouth Valiant V-100 1965 Service – Technical Manual page 61

FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING LINKAGE 2-3
SERVICE PROCEDURES
PREPARATION FOR MEASURING
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Front wheel alignment
is
the mechanics of adjust-
ing all the interrelated factors (Fig. 1) affecting the
running and steering of the front wheels of the vehi-
cle. Incorrect alignment of front wheels may result in
hard steering, abnormal tire wear, or braking prob-
lems.
The method of measuring the alignment will vary
depending on the type of equipment being used. The
instructions furnished by the manufacturer of the
equipment should always be followed, however, the
specifications as recommended by the Chrysler Mo-
tors Corporation should always be used.
All inspections and adjustments should be made in
the following order:
Front Suspension Height
Caster and Camber
Toe-In
Steering Axis Inclination
Toe-out On Turns
Measuring the steering axis inclination and toe-out
on turns is valuable in determining
if
parts are bent
or damaged particularly when adjustments will not
bring camber and caster within specifications.
DO
HEIGHT
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
CASTER CASTER
FRONT O F CAR-
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
CAMBER CAMBER
OE-OUT ON TURNS
WHEELS TURN
ABOUT C O M M O N
NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFY ANY
OF
THESE
PARTS BY HEATING OR BENDING.
Before any attempt is made to change or correct
caster, camber and toe-in, the following inspections
and necessary corrections must be made on those
parts which influence the steering of the vehicle.
(1)
Inflate the tires to the recommended pressure.
All tires should be the same size, in good condition
and have equal wear. Note the type of wear to aid in
diagnosing (Group 22).
(2)
Inspect the suspension and steering linkage
pivot points for excessive looseness, rear springs for
proper tightness of "U" bolts and height differential
between the left and right sides of the vehicle. (The
vehicle shall be on a level floor or alignment rack)
and have a full fuel tank but no luggage or passenger
load.
(3)
Inspect the front wheel bearing adjustment
(Group
22).
Measure the front wheel and tire assem-
bly runout (follow the Equipment Manufacturers In-
structions).
(4) To obtain accurate readings, the vehicle should
be jounced in the following manner just prior to tak-
ing each measurement (Height-Caster-Camber and
Toe): Grasp the bumpers at the center (rear bumper
first) and jounce up and down several times. Release
the bumpers on the down cycle after jouncing both
rear and front ends an equal number of times.
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Front suspension heights must be held to specifica-
tions for a satisfactory ride, correct appearance, prop-
er front wheel alignment and reduced tire wear.
The heights should only be measured after the ve-
hicle has the recommended tire pressures, a full tank
of fuel, no passenger load and is on a level floor or
alignment machine.
(1)
Clean all foreign material from the bottom of
the steering knuckle arm assemblies and from the
lowest area of the height adjusting blades directly be-
low the center of the lower control arm inner pivots.
(2) Jounce the vehicle several times releasing it on
I .
Fig. 2-Measuring Front Suspension Heights
(Belvedere-Sat ellit el
Fig. I-Wheel Alignment Factors