Santana PS-10, Service Manual, Page: 72 / 627

FRONT END ALIGNMENT 3A-3
FRONT END ALIGNMENT
PRELIMINARY CHECKS PRIOR TO
ADJUSTING ALIGNMENT
Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result
of improper alignment. An additional item to be checked is
the possibility of tire liad due to worn or improperly
manufactured tires. «Lead» is the deviation of the vehicle
from a straight parh on a level road without hand pressure on
the steering wheel. Charts of general diagnostics (3-2-2) of
this manual contains a procedure for determiningh the
presence of a tire lead problem. Before making any adjustment
affecting toe setting, the following checks and inspection
should be made to ensure correctness of alignment readings
and alignment adjustments:
1) Check all tires for proper inflaction pressures and
approximately the same tread wear.
2) Check for llose of ball joints. Check tie rod ends; if excessive
looseness is noted, it must be corrected before adjusting.
3) Check for run-out of wheels and tires.
4) Check vehicle trim heights; if out of limits and a correction is
tobe made, it must be made beforea adjusting toe.
5) Check for loose of suspension arms.
6) Consideration must be given to excess loads, such as tool
boxes. If this excess load is normally carried in vehicle, it
should remain in vehicle during alignment checks.
7) Consider condition of equipment beingh used to check
alignment and follow manufacturer´s instructions.
8) Regarless of equipment used to check alignment, vehicle
must be on a level surface both fore and aft and transversely.