Checking the wheel alignment – Fiat Uno
The alignment of the front wheels has a decisive influence on the steerability, vehicle driving characteristics and tire wear. The toe-in should be checked after any suspension repair or any abnormal symptoms in the steering system, wheel camber and steering knuckle pins. An ordinary mechanical gauge may be used to measure the camber and the steering of the steering spindle, however, only an optical instrument will provide the required accuracy of measurement. Before starting the measurement with a mechanical instrument, perform the following steps.
■ Check the air pressure in the tires and, if necessary, top up to the nominal pressure.
■ Check the lateral runout of the wheels, which may not exceed 3 mm.
■ Make sure, that there are no excessive play in the ball joints of the steering rod and rocker arm and in the wheel bearing.
Similar values of angles apply to the car unloaded. i.e.. the car in running order, however, without any additional load.
■ The toe-in is adjusted by changing the length of the steering rods. The rod can be turned after loosening the lock nut at the ball joint.
■ The steering wheel must be in the middle position when the wheels are positioned straight ahead. This is achieved by adjusting the length of the steering rods accordingly. However, the difference in the length of the bars, measured between the outer and inner joints, should not exceed 10 mm.
■ The camber and the advance of the kingpin are not governed by the rules. If these angles are not within the required tolerance, this indicates a deformation of a wheel suspension component. The damaged part must be replaced. Do not straighten the crossover or the strut, heating them up {danger of breaking parts).