Christopher Gentry

December 2, 2014

How to Check and Perform an Alignment

What is an alignment?
An alignment is performed when a vehicle does a number of odd things while in motion. Most
commonly an alignment is needed because the steering wheel may be crooked while driving
straight or the vehicle veers to one side when you let go of the wheel. This is a guide on how to
check if a vehicle needs an alignment and how to perform an alignment if needed. CAUTION, IF
NOT EXPERIENCED HAVE A PROFESSIONAL PERFORM THE ALIGNMENT.

What causes a vehicle to get out of alignment?

There are a number of things that can cause a vehicle to get out of alignment. Everyday wear
and tear will eventually cause a vehicle to be aligned. However one of the fastest and most
common ways for a vehicle to go out of alignment is to hit curbs or large pot hole in the road.

How to check if an alignment is needed.

First you must check if the vehicle is pulling, which refers to what direction the vehicles veers off
in. Before you begin driving there are a few things you must do to correctly check for a pull.

Find the flattest road or flattest part of the road to drive on. Usually the middle lane on a
three lane street.
Drive the vehicle at 30 to 35 miles per hour.
Without applying the brakes let go of the steering wheel. If the vehicle shakes or pulls
while applying the brakes, that is an issue with the rotors or brakes.

If the steps above were done correctly and the vehicle does pull then proceed to the following
steps below.

Check the tires using the picture to

the right. The top left shows normal tire

wear in which it is ok to align your
vehicle with those tires. However if
your vehicle shows signs of any of the
other tire wearing then have your tires
replaced before an alignment. An
alignment will not fix a bad tire that

Christopher Gentry
December 2, 2014

pulls. Also the alignment may be perfect but the worn tires will continue to cause the
vehicle to pull.
Check steering parts (tools will be
needed)

1. One floor jack

2. Two jack stands
3. One pry bar or a 3 foot
two by four piece of
wood. As shown in the
right.

picture to the

1. Jacking. Position the floor jack so that the jacking

plate is underneath the frame rail. Then raise the
vehicle so that the jack stand may be put
underneath the vehicle.
Place the jack stand directly underneath the frame
rail then slowly lower the vehicle so that it sits on
the stand. Then repeat on the other side of the
vehicle. The vehicle should look like the picture to
the right when finished.
Caution, never use would or cement blocks to
hold vehicle up off of the ground.
Never put wood in between the frame rail and
the jack stand.

2. Tie Rods. Place both hands on the tire, one at 3 o'clock the other at 9 o'clock.
Push the tire in and out to feel if the tie rods have any slack in them. If so they
need to be replaced before getting an
alignment.
Tie rods control what direction
your wheel points. If your tie rod
is extended too far, the wheel
will point away from the vehicle.
If the tie rod is too short, the
wheel will point toward the
inside of the vehicle. If wheel is
pointing in or away from the
vehicle, the vehicle will pull in
that direction. Overtime the tire
will wear on the edges and will

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December 2, 2014

need to be replaced much sooner than normal tire wear.

3. Ball Joints. Next take the pry bar and place it under the center of the tire. While
the end of the pry bar is on the ground pull up on the opposite end so that it is
firmly against the tire. Pulsate the tire by pulling upwards on the pry bar. If any
slack is felt you need to replace the upper or lower ball joints before getting an
alignment.
The ball joints are the
point at which the
wheel pivots to turn
left and right. If the
ball joints are bad then
the wheel will have an
unsteady pivot point
letting the top of the
wheel push out away
from the vehicle or fall
toward the inside of
the vehicle. This
causes camber wear, a
bad wear on the edge
of the tire.

If vehicle has worn tires or has slack in any of the parts, have them replaced. Bad parts
will immediately change the alignment of a vehicle. Also anytime new ball joints or tie
rods are put on a vehicle you must get the vehicle aligned. Have a trusted mechanic
replace needed parts.

Equipment needed to perform an alignment

An alignment machine with up to date specs for your vehicle.

Tools:
Steering wheel holder
Brake pedal depressor
Wheel blocks
Crescent wrench
Metric wrenches
Metric sockets for a half inch drive
ratchet
One half inch drive ratchet
One can of penetrating/lubricating oil
Safety gloves
Safety glasses

Christopher Gentry
December 2, 2014

Safety
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Read the operations manual before using the alignment machine for the first time.
Only trained technicians should operate an alignment machine.
Always block rear wheels when using the alignment machine.
Wear approved eye protection at all times.
Always install brake pedal depressor during and before working on a vehicle.

Quick procedure of an alignment (use only after reading the full description of
the alignment procedure)
1. Pull vehicle onto the alignment rack.
2. Air tires to correct psi. (can be located on the tire or in the vehicle manual)
3. Enter vehicle information into computer
4. Mount sensors
5. Rolling compensation
6. Block wheels
7. Unlock turn and slip plates
8. Install brake depressor
9. Measure caster
10. Install steering wheel holder
11. Adjust rear axle
12. Adjust front axle
13. Take sensors off
14. Pull vehicle off rack
15. Test drive the vehicle
16. Recheck tires and parts if needed
17. Repeat if necessary

Full alignment procedure

Pull vehicle onto alignment machine

Make sure the turn and slide plates are locked before
pulling onto the rack
Make sure the vehicle centered on the rack
Stop the vehicle just before the turn plates
Turn the vehicle off
Put the vehicle in neutral
Move turn plates to the center of the tire

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December 2, 2014
Air tires

Check the vehicle manual for the correct tire pressure

Air tires to the correct psi

Vehicle information

Enter vehicle information into the alignment computer. Can be found on the
inside of the driver side door.
Manufacturing date of vehicle, vehicle brand, name of vehicle, etc.
For example; 02/08 Ford F150 4x4

Mount sensors

Select "Mount Sensors" on the alignment

computer
Place sensors on the wheel and secure tightly
Make sure sensors are facing towards the front
of the alignment machine at the correct angle

Rolling compensation

Select "Rolling Compensation" on the alignment computer

Roll the vehicle forward so that the center of the wheel will be in the center of
the turn plate

Block wheels

Block rear wheels so that using the wheel blocks so

that the vehicle cannot roll forward or back

Unlock turn and slip plates

Remove the "L" shaped pins locking the turn and slip
plates
This allows the wheels to move to adjustments made

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December 2, 2014

Brake depressor

Install brake depressor by putting one end on

the brake pedal while pushing down on the
brake, then slide the metal locking plate back
against the bottom of the seat

Measure caster

Select " Measure Caster" on the alignment computer

Turn the wheel left into the specified range
Turn the wheel right into the specified range
Turn the wheel forward into the specified range
Turn the vehicle on
Turn the wheel from left to right 4 times
Straighten the wheel
Turn the steering wheel so that it is perfectly centered

Steering wheel holder

Install steering wheel holder so the steering wheel

will not be crooked or upside down after
adjustments

Adjust rear axle

Make rear axle adjustment first because rear adjustments affect the front but
front adjustments do not affect the rear
If the vehicle has rear caster adjustments,
adjust caster into the vehicles specified
range, location of adjustment bolt varies by
vehicle

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December 2, 2014

o Loosen the caster bolt nut using two wrenches

o Turn the caster bolt head using a wrench until the caster is in the specified
range.

If the vehicle has rear camber adjustments,

adjust camber into the vehicles specified
range, location of adjustment bolt varies
by vehicle
o Loosen the camber bolt but using
two wrenches
o Turn the camber bolt using a
wrench until the camber is within
the specified range

If the vehicle has rear tie rod adjustments,

adjust tie rod into the vehicles specified
range, location of adjustment bolt varies by
vehicle
o Loosen the jam nut while holding the
adjusting sleeve using two wrenches
o Adjust the tie rod adjusting sleeve to
bring the toe within the specified
range
Tighten all adjusting bolts

Adjust front axle

Make front adjustments after rear adjustments

are made
If the vehicle has front caster adjustments,
adjust caster into vehicle specified range,
location of adjustment bolt varies by vehicle
o Loosen caster bolt nut using two
wrenches

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December 2, 2014

o Turn caster bolt head using wrench, within specified range

If the vehicle has front camber

adjustments, adjust camber into vehicle
specified range, location of adjustment
bolt varies by vehicle
o Loosen camber bolt nut using two
wrenches
o Turn camber bolt head using a
wrench until in specified range

If the vehicle has front toe adjustments, adjust toe

into vehicle specified range, location of adjustment
bolt varies by vehicle
o Loosen tie rod jam nut while holding
adjusting sleeve
o Adjust the sleeve until inside the specified
toe range

Tighten all adjusting bolts

Sensors

Remove sensor from wheels

Vehicle

Put vehicle into park

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December 2, 2014

Remove steering wheel holder

Remove brake pedal depressor

Remove wheel stops

Test Drive

Test drive vehicle

Drive in the flattest part of the road
Maintain speed of 30 to 35 miles per hour
Without braking left the steering wheel go
Check for pulling

If still pulling

Recheck tires for wear, knots,

and if balanced correctly
Recheck parts

Continues to pull

Repeat steps 1-16

If it continues to pull take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic

Christopher Gentry
December 2, 2014
Instruction Summary

This guide will instruct you to check and perform the alignment of a vehicle. Take the necessary
steps throughout this guide to successfully perform an alignment. Once the alignment is
performed and the vehicle still pulls, contact a trusted mechanic to check the vehicle for further
inspection.