Alignment Archives - Page 3 of 10 - UnderhoodService
Alignment Specs: 2002-2006 Mini Cooper

There are no built-in factory adjustments for front camber or caster. The only way to adjust these angles is to purchase adjustable upper strut mounts.

Alignment Spec: GM W-Platform Alignment

The 2004-2013 GM W-Platform represents the evolution of the GM mid/full-sized front-wheel-drive car. The W-Platform includes best sellers like the 2004-2013 Chevy Impala, 2006-2007 Chevy Monte Carlo, 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix and 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse. This is a “bread and butter” vehicle for every shop. This generation of vehicles is solid and easy to work on. Gone are the quirks of previous generations.

Worn Shocks and Struts Kill: Do I Have Your Attention Now?

Can’t sell shocks and struts? What is your excuse? Do you blame the economy, customer income or even how well late-model vehicles are manufactured? There should be no excuse when it comes to recommending new shocks and struts. By not recommending these items, you are doing the customer a greater disservice than stealing change out

Alignment Specs: BMW 3-Series 1998-2006 E46

The BMW E46 was the best selling generation of the 3-Series. The rear-wheel drive sports sedan is one of the more complicated cars to align, but it has many service and repair opportunities.

2005-2011 Cadillac STS

The STS is one of those vehicles where a scan tool would be handy if you are performing alignment and chassis repairs. Every STS requires a scan tool to reset the steering angle sensor.

Alignment Specs: 1999-2006 Honda Insight Hybrid

You may not see many Honda Insights in your alignment bay, but don’t let the strange styling and hybrid badge scare you away from doing any chassis repairs.

2009-’10 Honda Pilot Clicking Noise Coming From the Front Suspension During Acceleration or Braking

If a 2009-’10 Honda Pilot owner complains that the vehicle is making one or more clicking noises from the front suspension while accelerating or braking, it could be due to a faulty front suspension rear lower arm bushing bracket. If this is the case, replace both front suspension rear lower arm bushing brackets, and check the wheel alignment.

Alignment Update: Chevy Cruze

The Chevy Cruze is the replacement for the Cobalt. The Cruze on the outside and under the hood is a big upgrade from the Cobalt, but underneath it is about the same setup as the Cobalt. The Cruze uses a strut setup like on the Cobalt. The caster is not adjustable. Camber is adjusted by enlarging the lower bolt hole on strut to knuckle mount. The inner hole should NOT be enlarged beyond that of the outer hole.

Steering Angle Sensor Diagnostics

Measuring the steering wheel position angle and rate of turn, which are critical for Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems, is the job of the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS). The scan tool will typically display the information in degrees.

CHASSIS & ALIGNMENT: SAI DIAGNOSTICS

The Steering Axis Inclination (SAI) angle has a direct effect on steering and handling because it causes the wheel spindle to angle downward slightly as the wheel is steered. Caster, which is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis as viewed from the side, does the same thing.  The combination of SAI and

Alignment Specs: 2002-2005 Ford Explorer

The 4-door Explorer and companion Mercury Mountaineer were redesigned entirely in 2002, losing all design similarity with the Ranger. The suspension on this Explorer has more in common with a car than a truck. Beginning with the 2002 model year, Ford installed a fully independent rear suspension in the Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer (but not in the 2-door Explorer Sport). This replaced the non-independent (“live-axle”) rear suspension used in previous model year Explorers.

Alignment Specs: Thrust Angle and Setback

The thrust angle is an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the rear axle’s centerline. It compares the direction that the rear axle is aimed with the centerline of the vehicle. It also confirms if the rear axle is parallel to its front axle and that the wheelbase on both sides of the vehicle is the same. It is one of the most important diagnostic angles during an alignment.