Preliminary Inspection

Abnormal steering and vibrations are not always the result of improper alignment. Another possible cause is tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. Lead is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level road without hand pressure on the steering wheel.

Vibrations are rarely caused by improper alignment. Before making any alignment adjustments, inspect the following to insure the accuracy of alignment readings and adjustments.

Inspect:
^ All tires for proper inflation pressures and similar tread wear.
^ Hub and bearings for excessive wear; correct if necessary.
^ Front ball joints.
^ Rear ball joints.
^ Tie rod ends for lateral (side-to-side) motion relative to the knuckle and tie rod end seals for any visible signs of damage. Replace tie rod end if either of these conditions exist. Up and down movement of the outer tie rod, relative to the knuckle, does not indicate a defect in the tie rod or tie rod end. Due to normal manufacturing variance and tolerance stack-up, some outer tie rods may move up and down relatively easily, while others may not appear to move at all.
^ Runout of wheels and tires.
^ Trim heights; if out of limits and a correction is to be made, do so before adjusting alignment.
^ Rack and pinion looseness at frame.
^ Struts for proper operation.
^ Control arms for loose bushings.
^ Stabilizer shaft for loose or missing parts.
^ Suspension and steering components for damage, replace parts as necessary.

Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool boxes in the trunk. If such a load is usually carried in the vehicle, leave it in during alignment adjustments.

Be sure to follow the alignment equipment manufacturer's instructions. Also, make sure the vehicle is on a level surface, both fore-and-aft and sideways.