wheel alignment FORD MUSTANG 2003 Workshop Manual

starting point.
Decibel
A unit of measurement, referring to sound pressure level, abbreviated dB.
Drive Engine Run-
Up (DERU) Test
The operation of the engine through the normal rpm range with the vehicle standing still, the brakes
applied and the transmission engaged. This test is used for noise and vibration checks.
Driveline Angles
The differences of alignment between the transmission output shaft, the driveshaft, and the rear axle
pinion centerline.
Driveshaft
The shaft that transmits power to the rear axle input shaft (pinion shaft). In a two- piece driveshaft, it is
the rearmost shaft.
Drivetrain
All power transmitting components from the engine to the wheels; includes the clutch or torque
converter, the transmission, the transfer case, the driveshaft, and the front or rear drive axle.
Drivetrain Damper
A weight attached to the engine, the transmission, the transfer case, or the axle. It is tuned by weight
and placement to absorb vibration.
Drone
A low frequency (100- 200 Hz) steady sound, like a freezer compressor. Also described as a moan.
Drumming
A cycling, low-frequency (20- 100 Hz), rhythmic noise often accompanied by a sensation of pressure on
the ear drums. Also described as a low rumble, boom, or rolling thunder. Dynamic Balance Klj . 5 ba
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REFILL as necessary.
z Power steering pump
brackets loose or
misaligned. z
CHECK bolts, brackets
and bracket alignment.
TIGHTEN bolts to
specification. REPAIR
or INSTALL new
brackets as necessary.
REFER to Section 211 -
02 .
z Steering gear clunk
— occurs only
while cornering
over a bump (can
be temperature
sensitive) z
Steering gear. zINSPECT the steering
gear for loose mounting
bolts. TIGHTEN as
necessary. REFER to
Section 211 - 02 .
z Feedback (rattle,
chuckle or
knocking noise in
the steering gear)
— a condition
where roughness is
felt in the steering
wheel when the
vehicle is driven
over rough
surfaces z
Column
intermediate/flexible
shaft joints damaged or
worn. z
INSTALL a new
intermediate/flexible
shaft. REFER to Section 211 - 04 .
z Loose, damaged or
worn tie- rod ends. z
TIGHTEN the nuts to
specification or
INSTALL new tie- rod
ends as necessary.
REFER to Section 211 -
02 .
z Steering gear
insulators or mounting
bolts loose or
damaged. z
TIGHTEN the bolts or
INSTALL new bolts as
necessary. REFER to
Section 211 - 02 .
z Steering column
intermediate shaft bolts
are loose. z
TIGHTEN the bolts to
specification. REFER to
Section 211 - 04 .
z Steering column
damaged or worn. z
REPAIR or INSTALL a
new steering column as
necessary. REFER to
Section 211 - 04 .
z Loose suspension
bushings, bolts or ball
joints. z
INSPECT the
suspension system.
TIGHTEN or INSTALL
new components as
necessary. REFER to
Section 204 - 01 .
z Feedback (nibble
at the steering
wheel) — a
condition where
slight rotational
movement is felt in
the steering wheel
when the vehicle is
driven over rough
or grooved z
Lateral runout in the
tire or wheel. z
GO to Pinpoint Test H . Klj . 34 ba
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acceleration from a slow
speed or stop
assembly
mispositioned. and the rear suspension
for damage or wear.
REPAIR as necessary.
z Incorrect or high
CV joint
operating angle. z
CHECK vehicle ride
height is within limits.
REPAIR as necessary.
z Damaged or
worn front
suspension
components. z
CHECK for a loose
stabilizer bar, damaged
or loose strut/strut
bushings or loose or
worn ball joints.
INSPECT the steering
linkage for wear or
damage. REPAIR or
INSTALL new
components as
necessary.
z Shimmy—most
noticeable on
coast/deceleration. Also
hard steering condition z
Excessive
positive caster. z
CHECK the caster
alignment angle.
CORRECT as
necessary. REFER to
Section 204 - 00 .
Symptom Chart—
Tire Noise/Vibration Condition
Possible Sources Action
z Tire noise— hum/moan
at constant speeds z
Abnormal wear
patterns. z
SPIN the tire and CHECK
for tire wear. INSTALL a
new tire as necessary.
INSPECT for
damaged/worn suspension
components. CARRY OUT
wheel alignment.
z Tire noise— noise tone
lowers as the vehicle
speed is lowered z
Out-of- balance
tire. z
BALANCE the tire and
road test. INSTALL a new
tire as necessary. REFER
to Section 204 - 04 .
z Tire noise — ticking
noise, changes with
speed z
Nail puncture or
stone in tire
tread. z
INSPECT the tire. REPAIR
as necessary.
z Wheel and tire—
vibration and noise
concern is directly
related to vehicle
speed and is not
affected by
acceleration, coasting
or decelerating z
Damaged or
worn tire. z
Go To Pinpoint Test J .
z Tire wobble or
shudder — occurs at
lower speeds z
Damaged wheel
bearings. z
SPIN the tire and CHECK
for abnormal wheel
bearing play or roughness.
ADJUST or INSTALL new
wheel bearings as
necessary. REFER to
Section 204 - 01 .
z Damaged wheel. zINSPECT the wheel for
damage. INSTALL a new
wheel as necessary.
REFER to Section 204 -Klj . 38 ba
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DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Wheel Alignment Angles
Camber and toe are adjustable on the front suspension systems. Front camber is adjusted by moving
the top of the strut and spring assembly. Rear camber is adjusted by means of eccentric cams on the
rear upper arms. Caster is preset at the factory and should only be adjusted after all other possible
sources have been inspected and corrected as necessary. Front toe is adjusted by the use of the front
wheel spindle tie rod (3280).
Camber
Negative and Positive Camber
Camber is the vertical tilt of the wheel (1007) when viewed from the front. Camber can be positive or
negative and has a direct effect on tire wear.
Caster
Caster is the deviation from vertical of an imaginary line drawn through the ball joints when viewed
from the side. Caster specifications in this section will give the vehicle the best directional stability
characteristics when loaded and driven. Caster setting is not related to tire wear.
SECTION 204-
00: Suspension System — General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Item Part Number Description
1 — Positive caster
2 — True vertical
3 — Steering axis Klj . 1 ba
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6. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported condition is found, correct the cause (if
possible) before proceeding to the next step.
7. If the fault is not visually evident, determine the symptom and GO to Symptom Chart .
Symptom Chart z
Front wheel bearing(s)
z Loose or damaged front or rear suspension components
z Loose, damaged or missing suspension fastener(s)
z Damaged spring(s)
z Damaged or leaking strut and spring assemblies
z Damaged or leaking shock absorber(s)
z Worn or damaged suspension bushing(s)
z Loose, worn or damaged steering system components
z Damaged axle components
Symptom Chart Condition
Possible Sources Action
z Dogtracking zExcessive rear
thrust angle. z
CHECK the wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary.
z Front or rear
suspension
components. z
INSPECT the front and rear
suspension system. REPAIR
or INSTALL new suspension
components as necessary.
REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Drive axle
damaged. z
REPAIR as necessary. Refer
to the appropriate section in
Group 205 for the procedure..
z Drift/pull zUnequal tire
pressure. z
ADJUST tire pressure.
z Excessive side-to-
side difference in
caster or camber. z
CHECK the wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary.
z Tire forces. zROTATE tires front to rear.
z Unevenly loaded or
overloaded vehicle. z
NOTIFY the customer of
incorrect vehicle loading.
z Steering
components. z
REFER to Section 211 - 00 .
z Brake drag. zREFER to Section 206 - 00 .
z Front bottoming
or riding low z
Strut(s). zINSTALL new strut(s) as
necessary. REFER to Section 204 - 01 .
z Front coil springs
(5310). z
CHECK ride height. INSTALL
new springs as necessary.
REFER to Section 204 - 01 .
z Incorrect tire
wear z
Incorrect tire
pressure (rapid
center rib or inner
and outer edge
wear). z
ADJUST tire pressure. Klj . 2 ba
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z
Excessive front or
rear toe (rapid inner
or outer edge
wear). z
CHECK the wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary.
z Excessive negative
or positive camber
(rapid inner or outer
edge wear). z
CHECK the wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary.
z Tires out of balance
(tires cupped or
dished). z
BALANCE tires.
z Rough ride zStrut(s). zINSTALL new strut(s) as
necessary. REFER to Section 204 - 01 .
z Shock absorber(s). zINSTALL new shock absorber
(s) as necessary.
z Front coil springs or
rear springs (5560). z
INSTALL new front coil
springs or rear springs as
necessary. REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Shimmy or
wheel tramp z
Loose wheel nut(s). zTIGHTEN to specification.
REFER to Section 204 - 04 .
z Loose front
suspension
fasteners. z
TIGHTEN to specification.
REFER to Section 204 - 01 .
z Front wheel bearing
(s). z
REFER to Wheel Bearing Inspection in this section.
z Wheel or tire
runout. z
REFER to Section 204 - 04 .
z Tire flatspotting. zREFER to Section 204 - 04 .
z Shock absorber(s). zINSTALL new shock absorber
(s) as necessary.
z Loose, worn or
damaged ball joint
(s). z
GO to the Ball Joint Inspection
component test in this section.
z Loose, worn or
damaged steering
components. z
REFER to Section 211 - 00 .
z Front wheel
alignment. z
CHECK the wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary.
z Sticky steering,
poor returnability z
Ball joints. zGO to the Ball Joint Inspection
component test in this section.
z Steering
components. z
REFER to Section 211 - 00 .
z Steering wheel
off- center z
Unequal front or
rear toe settings
(side-to- side). z
CHECK the wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary.
z Steering
components. z
REFER to Section 211 - 00 .
z Sway or roll zOverloaded,
unevenly or
incorrectly loaded
vehicle. z
NOTIFY the customer of
incorrect vehicle loading.
z Loose wheel nut(s). zTIGHTEN to specification. Klj . 3 ba
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Component Tests
Ball Joint Inspection
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Section 100 - 02 .
2. Prior to performing any inspection of the ball joints, inspect the wheel bearings.
3. Position a safety stand beneath the front suspension lower arm (3079) to be tested.
4. While an assistant pulls and pushes the bottom of the tire, observe the relative movement between the lower spindle arm and the front suspension lower arm ball joint. Any movement at
or exceeding the specification indicates a worn or damaged lower ball joint. Install a new front
suspension lower arm. Refer to Section 204 - 01 . z
Steering
components. z
REFER to Section 211 - 00 .
z Wheel alignment. zCHECK wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary
(excessive total front toe out). Klj . 5 ba
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10. Align the camber marks and position the front suspension camber adjustment plate at the
correct caster setting.
All vehicles 11. Tighten the nuts and bolt.
12. Recheck the wheel alignment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Adjust as necessary. Klj . 3 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Camber Adjustment —
Rear
1. Loosen the nut.
2. Rotate the bolt and the cam to the correct camber setting.
3. Tighten the nut while holding the bolt and the cam stationary.
4. Recheck the wheel alignment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Adjust as necessary.
SECTION 204-
00: Suspension System — General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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6. Remove the front coil spring (5310). For additional information, refer to
Spring in this section.
7. Remove the nut and the front suspension lower control arm. Discard the nut.
Installation 1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
2. Check wheel alignment. Adjust if necessary. For additional information, refer to Section 204 - 00 . Klj . 2 ba
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