Tech Tip: Help These GM Trucks Stand Straight and Tall
Some GM truck owners may complain that their vehicle appears to lean on one side. In most cases, the left front of the vehicle sits lower than the right front. The condition occurs because the rear leaf spring bushings or shackles may become loaded when the rear leaf spring shackle nuts are secured. Follow the steps in this Tech Tip to correct the lean.
Alignment Specs: 1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette
With different front and rear run-flat tire sizes, the 1997-2004 Corvette must be aligned every 20,000 miles or when the smallest amount of abnormal tire wear is present. If the customer does not have this service performed, even the slightest amount of extra toe, camber or caster can result in an expensive tire replacement bill.
Performing an alignment on a C5 Corvette is actually easier than on most vehicles because most of the adjustments are built into the vehicle. Also, you can adjust the ride height without replacing parts. But, you need to take care and be aware of what makes the Corvette different than most vehicles.
Tech Tip: Fix for a Creaky Cadillac CTS Suspension
Some Cadillac 2003-2006 CTS owners may comment on a squeak or creak-type noise coming from the front of the vehicle. This noise typically occurs while braking or during slow turns, such as parking lot maneuvers. The cause of this noise may be due to a worn rear bushing on the front lower control arm rubbing against its outer rate washer. Installing a front lower control arm rear bushing spacer, as described in this Tech Tip, may correct the situation.
Diagnostic Solutions: Building Off-Road Suspension Systems
Judging from weekend traffic, desert off-road and mountain trail driving is becoming a major past-time for many import vehicle enthusiasts. Most of the off-road import vehicles I see in Colorado are the late ’80s and early ’90s Toyota and Nissan pickups and SUVs that feature mechanical simplicity along with the structural ruggedness needed to navigate miles from any service facility.
Tech Tip: Alignment Specs for 2002-2006 Toyota Camry
Behind the Ford F150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the Toyota Camry has been the third best selling vehicle in the U.S. during the past decade. The 2002-2006 Camry was no exception with sales of more than 400,000 vehicles every year.
Alignment & Suspension Specs: Ford Focus
In 2000, the Ford Focus represented a radical change in the domestic small car segment. Now as we enter a new decade, the current Focus platform is going into its last year of production and not too much has changed in the alignment department in 10 years, except the specs from year to year. The second-generation Focus uses the same suspension configuration as the 2000-2007 models. The restyled second generation is available as either a two-door coupe or four-door sedan – the hatchbacks and wagon were discontinued.
Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2006-2010 Honda Civic
Built on a high-rigidity unit-body platform, the 2006-current Civic has a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The 8th-generation Civic switched from a high mounted steering rack to a low mounted one and significantly increased caster. In the alignment bay, the 8th-generation Civic does not hold any surprises. But, it does require a sharp eye to spot potential problems.
Today’s Vehicles are More Susceptible to Pothole Damage
Potholes have always been the nemesis of suspension systems, but today’s vehicles are even more apt to sustain damage when hitting a pothole. Technicians in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, area discuss the damage they are seeing in their shops.
Suspension & Alignment Specs: 2007-2010 Dodge Caliber
The Dodge Caliber is a compact car produced by the Dodge division of Chrysler. The same basic platform is used for the Sebring, Avenger, Jeep Patriot/Compass and Mitsubishi Lancer. This is a “Net Build” vehicle with only toe adjustments built into the vehicle. Some adjustments for caster and camber can be made by moving the sub-frames.
Z Sport, Part 2: Powering Subaru WRX Engine & Chassis Upgrades
A few months back, I highlighted a project car being built by Z Sport. The car is now back together and running. Charles Damewood, the car’s owner and a principle at Z Sport, has been driving the car to break in the engine, and get an idea of what needs to be sorted out as far as engine management before doing a full on dynamometer test. As soon as fuel mapping and software issues are resolved, we will get full performance testing data and publish a follow up.
Alignment and Suspension Specs: Ford Fusion 2006-2010
In 2006 when Ford introduced the Fusion, many could not help but to compare it to the third- and fourth-generation Taurus models. The previous generation had a reputation for broken springs and tire shredding bushing problems. The 2006-2010 Fusion is a different story.
Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2003-2007 Cadillac CTS
The first-generation Cadillac CTS was introduced in 2003 and ended production in the 2007 model year. The Cadillac CTS was built on GM’s rear-wheel drive Sigma platform. The CTS for years 2003-2007 came with two suspension packages