Wheel Alignment, Checking/Adjusting
Wheel alignment, checking / adjusting
General
Note! The following applies when checking and adjusting wheel alignment:
- All measurements must be made using alignment equipment for four-wheel drive vehicles
- All readings must be taken on an empty car (the fuel level in the fuel tank does not matter)
- Check all the tire pressures before beginning measurement.
Note! Model year 2001-, note the car chassis type. See Identifying the chassis type Application and ID.
Caution! Before taking readings, check that the steering wheel position is straight.When adjusting the front toe-in, correct any misalignment at the same time. For major steering wheel misalignment, adjust the position of the steering wheel as follows:
- For model year -2000, see Steering wheel module, steering wheel and contact reel, replacement Airbag Driver's Side (SRS), Replacing
- For model year 2001-2002, see
- For model year 2003-,
Checking for play in the front suspension
Raise the front end.
Lift at the jacking point for the jack.
Check that there is no play in:
- the steering gear housing and ball joints for the tie rod
- the wheel bearings
- the upper spring strut mountings
- the ball joints and the bearing bushings for the mounting arms.
If there is play in any of the components above, this must be remedied first according to the service information in VIDA.
Checking for play in the rear suspension
Lift up the rear suspension.
Lift at the jacking point for the jack.
Check that there is no play in:
- the wheel bearings
- the upper spring strut mountings
- the trailing arm rubber bushings.
If there is play in any of the components above, this must be remedied first according to the service information in VIDA.
Setting up the measurement apparatus
Install and calibrate the test equipment according to the user manual for the test equipment.
Note! Always use wheel alignment equipment for four wheel drive cars.
Position turntables under the front wheels. Use turntables which take up lateral movement.
Note! The car must be in the horizontal position to obtain the correct values when checking the camber angles and the caster angles.
Bounce the front suspension heavily a few times when the car has sunk onto the turntables. This must be carried out for the front suspension to resume the normal position.
Adjusting wheel alignment, rear
Only the toe-in and camber angle can be adjusted in the rear suspension.
Caution! If wheel alignment is not possible using the method given, replace the faulty or damaged components. See the information in VIDA.
Checking the camber angle, rear
Check the camber angle on both sides.
For the correct values,
Adjusting the camber angle, rear
Slacken off the toe-in adjustment screw (A).
Note! The adjustment screw must be slackened off because it affects the camber angle.
Slacken off the nut (B). Turn the adjustment screw until the correct camber angle is obtained.
Note! Do not turn the adjustment scale off the scale because this could damage the control ring.
Tighten the nut. Check again.
Note! There are two different types of nut. Each type is tightened to a different value.If the nut does not have a flange, tighten to 80 Nm. If the nut has a flange, tighten to 90 Nm.
For the correct values,
Caution! Always adjust the camber angle before adjusting the toe-in.
Checking the toe-in, rear
Check that the instruments are adjusted in relation to each other on the front and rear axles.
This is extremely important so that the thrust angle can be adjusted.
The difference between the symmetry line (A) of the wheels and the thrust line (B) is called the thrust angle (C).
Check and adjust the toe-in and thrust angle in the following order:
- Toe-in rear wheels
- thrust angle (C)
- toe-in front wheels, in relation to the thrust line (B).
For the correct values,
Adjusting the toe-in, rear
Slacken off the nut (A). Turn the adjustment screw until the correct toe-in is obtained.
Note! Do not turn the adjustment scale off the scale because this could damage the control ring.
Tighten the nut.
Note! There are two different types of nut. Each type is tightened to a different value.If the nut does not have a flange, tighten to 80 Nm. If the nut has a flange, tighten to 90 Nm.
Check the toe-in again.
Check the thrust angle.
For the correct values,
Adjusting wheel alignment, front
Only the toe-in can be adjusted in the front suspension. However other settings must be checked.
Caution! If the wheel alignment continues to show incorrect values, replace the faulty or damaged component according to the service information in VIDA.
Checking the camber angle, front
Check the camber angle on both sides.
For the correct values,
Checking the caster angle, front
Check the caster angle on both sides.
For the correct values,
Checking king pin inclination, front
Check the king pin inclination on both sides.
For the correct values,
Adjusting the toe-in, front
The toe-in is relative to the thrust line.
Slacken off the lock nuts. Adjust the toe-in by turning the tie rods until the correct value is obtained.
Tighten the lock nuts. Tighten to 42 Nm.
Check the toe-in again.
Treat the tie rod threads using rustproofing agent, Volvo P/N 116 1432 ANTI-RUST 116 1432 Anti-Rust after they have been tightened.
Ensure that the rubber seal is straight.
Note! The maximum permitted difference in length between the two track rods is 2 mm. Measure between the lock nut and the edge of thread.
For the correct values,
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Adjust minor misalignment when adjusting the front toe-in.
For major steering wheel misalignment, adjust the position of the steering wheel as follows:
- For model year -2000, see Steering wheel module, steering wheel and contact reel, replacement Airbag Driver's Side (SRS), Replacing
- For model year 2001-2002, see
- For model year 2003-,