Buick Encore: Wheel Alignment System - Repair instructions
SPECIFICATIONS
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Wheel Alignment Specifications
FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS
Fastener Tightening Specifications
REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
WHEEL ALIGNMENT MEASUREMENT
Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper
alignment. One possible cause is wheel
and tire imbalance. Another possibility is tire lead due to worn or improperly
manufactured tires. Lead/pull is
defined as follows: At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull
is the amount of effort
required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle's straight path. Lead is
the vehicle deviation from a
straight path on a level road without pressure on the steering wheel. Refer to
Radial Tire Lead/Pull
Correction in order to determine if the vehicle has a tire lead problem.
Before performing any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, perform the
following inspections in order to
ensure correct alignment readings:
- Inspect for visible damage to the suspension components and replace as
necessary.
- Inspect the tires for the proper inflation and irregular tire wear.
Refer to Vehicle Certification, Tire
Placard, Anti-Theft, and Service Parts ID Label , and Tire Diagnosis -
Irregular or Premature
Wear .
- Inspect the runout of the wheels and the tires. Refer to Tire and Wheel
Runout Specifications .
- Inspect the wheel bearings for backlash and excessive play. Refer to
Wheel Bearings Diagnosis .
- Inspect the ball joints for looseness or wear.
- Inspect the tie rod ends for looseness or wear.
- Inspect the control arms and stabilizer shaft for looseness or wear.
- Inspect the steering gear for looseness at the frame. Refer to Fastener
Tightening Specifications .
- Inspect the struts/shock absorbers for wear, leaks, and any noticeable
noises. Refer to Strut and Shock
- Absorber Inspection , for front and Strut and Shock Absorber Inspection
for rear. .
- Inspect the vehicle trim height. Refer to Trim Height Inspection .
- Inspect the steering wheel for excessive drag or poor return due to
stiff or rusted linkage or suspension
components.
- Inspect the fuel level. The fuel tank should be full or the vehicle
should have a compensating load added.
Give consideration to excess loads, such as tool boxes, sample cases, etc. If
normally carried in the vehicle,
these items should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments. Give
consideration also to the condition
of the equipment being used for the alignment. Follow the equipment
manufacturer's instructions.
Satisfactory vehicle operation may occur over a wide range of alignment settings.
However, if the setting
exceeds the service allowable specifications, correct the alignment to the
service preferred specifications. Refer
to Wheel Alignment Specifications.
Perform the following steps in order to measure the front and rear alignment
angles:
- Install the alignment equipment according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
- Jounce the front and the rear bumpers 3 times prior to checking the
wheel alignment.
- Measure the alignment angles and record the readings.
NOTE:
- Record the "Before" and "After" alignment measurements.
- When performing adjustments to vehicles requiring a 4-wheel
alignment, set the rear toe adjustment first in order to obtain proper
front alignment angles.
- Adjust alignment angles to vehicle specification, if necessary. Refer to
Wheel Alignment Specifications.
FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT
Fig. 1: Front Strut Components
NOTE: DO NOT grind the front strut bores for the bolts to allow
adjustment of the
front camber. There are service bolts available to allow the front camber to
be adjusted, if needed.
- If the front camber is out of specifications, perform the following:
- Remove the front strut to steering knuckle nuts (1) and the bolts (2).
- Replace the front strut to steering knuckle bolts (2) with the service
bolts.
- Install the service bolts and adjust the front camber to specifications.
Refer to Wheel Alignment
Specifications
CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .
- Tighten the front strut nuts (1) to 110 N.m (81 lb ft).
WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STEERING WHEEL ANGLE AND/OR FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT
Fig. 2: Inner Tie Rod & Jam Nut
- Ensure that the steering wheel is set in a straight ahead position.
- Loosen the tie rod jam nut (1).
- Adjust the toe to specification by turning the inner tie rod (2). Refer
to Wheel Alignment Specifications.
CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .
- Tighten the tie rod nut (1) to 60 N.m (44 lb ft).
READ NEXT:
Camber description
Fig. 3: Illustrating Camber Angle
Camber is the tilting of the wheels from the vertical when viewed from the
front of the vehicle. When the
wheels tilt outward at the top, the ca
SPECIFICATIONS
FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS
Fastener Tightening Specifications
POWER STEERING PUMP SPECIFICATIONS
Power Steering Pump Specifications
ADHESIVES, FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS, AND SEAL
SEE MORE:
This vehicle has airbags. A rear
seat is a safer place to secure a
forward-facing child restraint. See
Where to Put the Restraint
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system which is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped) under
cert
Warning
If something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the roof rack-like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress-the
wind can catch it while the vehicle
is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision
and damage the vehicle.