Toe Adjustment

PROCEDURE
After a toe pattern arc has been plotted and is outside of shaded area on the graph, the steering gear, rear toe links or both must be adjusted.

If the front toe pattern requires adjustment, the steering gear can be raised using split shims. If the steering gear must be lowered, the gear mountings are misaligned and would require alignment.

If the rear toe pattern requires adjustment, the rear toe links can be raised or lowered using toe link shims. The rear toe links are mounted to the frame in vertical elongated holes that allow the toe link to be moved up or down. Toe link shims in increments of 2 mm (0.080 inch) above or below design (nominal) are used to position the toe link.

A 2 mm (0.080 inch) change in steering gear or toe link height will effect the toe pattern by about 0.15° when measured from the design height (nominal) to either jounce or rebound positions. It is typical for a shim to have about 1 mm (0.040 inch) up and down play.

Front Toe Pattern
On the front of the vehicle the tie rods are located in front of the spindles. If the steering gear is raised toe-in will increase on rebound and toe-out will increase on jounce. If the steering gear is lowered the opposite would occur. The front toe pattern should arc from -0.10° toe-out at 50 mm (2 inch) jounce to +0.20° toe-in at 50 mm (2 inch) rebound.

Rear Toe Pattern
On the rear of the vehicle the tie rods are located rearward of the spindles. If a toe link is raised, toe-out will increase on rebound and toe-in will increase on jounce. If a toe link is lowered the opposite would occur. The toe pattern should arc from +0.30° toe-in at 50 mm (2 inch) jounce to 0.00° toe at 50 mm (2 inch) rebound.

SUSPENSION INSTALLATION
After toe pattern has been inspected or adjusted, perform the following procedures.
- Install the coil-over-shock assemblies.
- Connect anti-sway bar links to lower control arms.
- Verify wheel toe setting.
- Road test vehicle to determine if problem is corrected.