Get Front End Alignment Guide for Suzuki Alto 4 Door Fifth Generation (1998-2003)

FRONT END ALIGNMENT 3A-1

SECTION 3A

FRONT END ALIGNMENT

CONTENTS

DIAGNOSIS 3-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GENERAL DESCRIPTION 3A-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Toe Setting 3A-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Camber 3A-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Preliminary Checks Prior to Adjusting

Front Alignment 3A-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Toe Adjustment 3A-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Camber and Caster Adjustment 3A-3. . . . . . . . . . .

Steering Angle 3A-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Alignment service data

Camber

05 30’ 15

Caster

Kingpin inclination

Toe-in

35 30’ 15

12520’ 0.8

–1 +3 mm

(0.039+0.118 in.)

NOTE:

Toe-in value given above was mea-

sured by using a toe-in gauge.

Front alignment refers to the angular relationship between the front wheels, the front suspension attaching parts

and the ground. Generally, the only adjustment required for front alignment is toe setting.

Camber and caster can’t be adjusted. Therefore, should camber or caster be out of specification due to the damage

caused by hazardous road conditions or collision, whether the damage is in body or in suspension should be deter-

mined and damaged body should be repaired or damaged suspension should be replaced.

TOE SETTING

Toe is the turning in or out of the front wheels. The purpose of a toe specification is to ensure parallel rolling of the

front wheels (Excessive toe-in or toe-out may increase tire wear).

Amount of toe can be obtained by subtracting “A” from “B” as shown in previously figure and therefore is given in

mm (in.).

CAMBER

Camber is the tilting of the front wheels from the vertical, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. When the wheels

tilt outward at the top, the camber is positive. When the wheels tilt inward at the top, the camber is negative. The

amount of tilt is measured in degrees.

PRELIMINARY CHECKS PRIOR TO ADJUST-

ING FRONT ALIGNMENT

Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of im-

proper alignment. An additional item to be checked is the possibility

of tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. “Lead” is

the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level road with-

out hand pressure on the steering wheel.

Before making any adjustment affecting toe setting, the following

checks and inspections should be made to insure correctness of

alignment readings and alignment adjustments:

1) Check all tires for proper inflation pressures and approximately

the same tread wear.

2) Check for loose ball joints. Check tie rod ends; if excessive

looseness is noted, it must be corrected before adjusting.

3) Check for run-out of wheels and tires.

4) Check vehicle trim heights “h”; if out of limits and a correction

is to be made, the correction must be made before adjusting toe.

5) Check for loose control arms.

6) Check for loose or missing stabilizer bar attachments.

7) Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool

boxes. If this excess load is normally carried in the vehicle, it

should remain in the vehicle during alignment checks.

8) Consider the condition of the equipment being used to check

alignment and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

9) Regardless of equipment used to check alignment, the vehicle

must be on a level surface both fore and aft and transversely.

3A-2 FRONT END ALIGNMENT

TOE ADJUSTMENT

Toe is adjusted by changing the tie rod (1) length. Loosen right and

left tie rod end lock nuts (2) first and then rotate right and left tie rods

by the same amount to align toe-in to specification. In this adjust-

ment, right and left tie rods should become equal in length “a” in fig-

ure. Before rotating tie rods, apply grease between tie rods and

rack boots so that boots won’t be twisted.

After adjustment, tighten lock nuts to specified torque and make

sure that rack boots are not twisted.

Tightening Torque

(a): 45 N·m (4.5 kg-m, 32.5 lb-ft)

CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT

Should camber or caster be found out of specifications upon in-

spection, locate its cause first. If it is damaged, loose, bent, dented

or worn suspension parts, they should be replaced. If it is in vehicle

body, repair it so as to attain specifications.

To prevent possible incorrect reading of camber or caster, vehicle

front end must be moved up and down a few times before inspec-

tion.

STEERING ANGLE

When tie rod or tie rod end was replaced, check toe and then also

steering angle with turning radius gauge (1).

If steering angle is not correct, check if right and left tie rods are

equal in length “a”.

NOTE:

If tie rod lengths were changed to adjust steering angle, rein-

spect toe-in.

Steering angle inside : 385 " 35

outside : 325 " 35

FRONT END ALIGNMENT 3A-3

Reference Information:

Side slip:

For inspecting front wheel side slip with side slip tester:

Side slip limit : Less than 3 mm/m

(Less than 0.118 in./3.3 ft)

If side slip exceeds above limit, toe-in or front wheel alignment may

not be correct.

3A-4 FRONT END ALIGNMENT

Front End Alignment for Your Suzuki Alto 4 Door Fifth Generation (1998-2003)

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