2002 ISUZU AXIOM wheel alignment

POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM2A±13
Caster (1) is the vertical tilting of the wheel axis either
forward or backward (when viewed from the side of the
vehicle). A backward tilt is positive (+) and a forward tilt is
negative (-). On the short and long arm type suspension
you cannot see a caster angle without a special
instrument, but if you look straight down from the top of
the upper control arm to the ground, the ball joints do not
line up (fore and aft) when a caster angle other than 0
degree is present. With a positive angle, the lower ball
joint would be slightly ahead (toward the front of the
vehicle) of the upper ball joint center line.
Toe-in:
This illustration shows view from the top of the vehicle.
480RS003Toe-in is the measured amount the front wheels are
turned in. The actual amount of toe-in is normally a
fraction of a degree. Toe-in is measured from the center
of the tire treads or from the inside of the tires. The
purpose of toe-in is to insure parallel rolling of the front
wheels and to offset any small deflections of the wheel
support system which occurs when the vehicle is rolling
forward. Incorrect toe-in results in excessive toe-in and
unstable steering. Toe-in is the last alignment to be set in
the front end alignment procedure.
Inspection
Before making any adjustments affecting caster, camber
or toe-in, the following front end inspection should be
made.
1. Inspect the tires for proper inflation pressure. Refer to
Main Data and Specifications in Wheel and Tire
System
section.
2. Make sure that the vehicle is unladen condition (With
no passenger or loading).
3. Make sure that the spare tire is installed at the normal
position.
4. Inspect the front wheel bearings for proper
adjustment. Refer to
Front Hub and Disc Overhaul in
Suspension
section.
5. Inspect the ball joints and tie rod ends. If excessive
looseness is noted, correct before adjusting. Refer to
Steering Linkage in this section.6. Inspect the wheel and tires for run-out. Refer to
Wheel Replacement in Wheel and Tire System
section.
7. Inspect the trim height. If not within specifications, the
correction must be made before adjusting caster.
8. Inspect the steering unit for looseness at the frame.
9. Inspect shock absorbers for leaks or any noticeable
noise. Refer to
Shock Absorber in Suspension
section.
10. Inspect the control arms or stabilizer bar attachment
for looseness. Refer to
Suspension section.
11. Inspect the front end alignment using alignment
equipment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
12. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Trim Height Adjustment
Adjust the trim height (1) by means of the adjusting bolt on
the height control arms.
CAUTION: When adjusting front end alignment, be
sure to begin with trim height first, as it may change
other adjusted alignments.
450RS003
410RS001

3C±2FRONT SUSPENSION
General Description
The front suspension is designed to allow each wheel to
compensate for changes in the road surface level without
greatly affecting the opposite wheel. Each wheel is
independently connected to the frame by a steering
knuckle, ball joint assemblies, and upper and lower
control arms. The front wheels are held in proper
relationship to each other by two tie-rods which are
connected to steering arms on the knuckles, and to a
steering unit.
All models have a front suspension system consisting of
control arms, stabilizer bar, shock absorber and a torsion
bar. The front end of the torsion bar is attached to the
lower control arm. The rear of the torsion bar is mounted
into a height control arm at the crossmember. Vehicle trim
height is controlled by adjusting this arm.
Shock absorbers are mounted between the brackets on
the frame and the lower control arms. The lower portion ofeach shock absorber is attached to the lower control arm.
The upper portion of each shock absorber extends
through a frame bracket and is secured with two rubber
bushings, two retainers and a nut.
Ball joint assemblies are bolted to the outer end of the
upper and lower control arm and are attached to the
steering knuckle.
The inner ends of the upper control arm have pressed in
bushings. Bolts, passing through the bushing, attach the
control arm to the frame. The inner ends of the lower
control arm are attached to the frame by bolts passing
through the bushings.
Side roll of the front suspension is controlled by a spring
steel stabilizer bar. It is mounted in rubber bushings,
which are held to the frame by brackets. The ends of the
stabilizer bar are connected to the lower control arms by
links.
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Vehicle PullsMismatched or uneven tires.Replace tire.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust tire pressure.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring.
Radial tire lateral force.Replace tire.
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.
Brake dragging in one wheel.Repair brake.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Tighten or replace the appropriate
suspension part(s).
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace shock absorber.
Parts in power steering valve
defective.Replace power steering unit.
Abnormal or Excessive Tire WearSagging or broken spring.Replace spring.
Tire out of balance.Balance or replace tire.
Improper wheel alignment.Check front end alignment.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Hard driving.Replace tire.
Overloaded vehicle.Replace tire and reduce load.
Tires not rotated periodically.Replace or rotate tire.
Worn or loose road wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Wobbly wheel or tires.Replace wheel or tire.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust the pressure.
Wheel HopBlister or bump on tire.Replace tire.
Improper shock absorber operation.Replace shock absorber.

FRONT SUSPENSION3C±3
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
Shimmy, Shake or VibrationTire or wheel out of balance.Balance wheels or replace tire/or
wheel.
Loose wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Worn steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Worn upper or lower end ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Excessive wheel runout.Repair or replace wheel and/or tire.
Blister or bump on tire.Replace tire.
Excessive loaded radial runout of
tire/wheel assembly.Replace tire or wheel.
Improper wheel alignment.Check wheel alignment.
Loose or worn steering linkage.Tighten or replace steering linkage.
Loose steering unit.Tighten steering unit.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust tire pressure.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Tighten or replace the appropriate
suspension parts.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Hub bearing preload misadjustment.Adjust preload.
Parts in power steering valve
defective.Replace power steering unit.
Hard SteeringBind in steering linkage ball studs,
upper or lower ball joint.Replace ball joint.
Improper wheel alignment.Check wheel alignment.
Tire not adequately inflated.Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Bind in steering column or shaft.Repair or replace.
Improper power steering system
operation.Repair or replace. Refer to Steering
section.
Too Much Play In SteeringWheel bearings worn.Replace wheel bearings.
Loose steering unit or linkage.Retighten or repair.
Worn or loose steering shaft
universal joint.Retighten or replace steering shaft.
Worn steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Worn upper or lower end ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Poor Steering Wheel ReturnabilityBind in steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Bind in upper or lower ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Bind in steering column and shaft.Repair or replace.
Bind in steering gear.Check and repair steering gear.
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust pressure.
Loose steering wheel nut.Retighten.
Worn wheel bearing.Replace.

3C±4FRONT SUSPENSION
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
Abnormal NoiseWorn, sticky or loose upper or lower
ball joint, steering linkage ball joints
or drive axle joints.Replace.
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace.
Worn upper or lower control arm
bushing.Replace.
Loose stabilizer bar.Retighten bolts or replace bushings.
Loose wheel nuts.Tighten nuts. Check for elongated
wheel nut holes. Replace wheel if
required.
Loose suspension bolts or nuts.Retighten suspension bolts or nuts.
Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Broken suspension springs. Replace spring.
Loose steering unit. Retighten mounting bolt.
Faulty steering unit.Replace steering unit.
Wandering or Poor Steering StabilityMismatched or unevenly worn tires.Replace tire or inflate tires to proper
pressure.
Loose steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace shock absorber.
Loose stabilizer bar.Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or
bushings.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring (pairs).
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.
Erratic Steering When BrakingWorn wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearings.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring (pairs).
Leaking caliper.Repair or replace caliper.
Warped discs.Replace brake disc.
Badly worn brake pads.Replace brake pads.
Tires are inflated unequally.Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Low or Uneven Trim HeightBroken or sagging springs.Replace springs (In pairs).
Vehicle overloaded.Reduce load.
Incorrect springs.Adjust or replace torsion bar.
Suspension BottomsVehicle overloaded. Reduce load.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Incorrect, broken or sagging springs.Replace springs.
Body LeansLoose stabilizer bar.Tighten stabilizer bar bolts or replace
bushings.
Faulty shock absorber, struts or
mounting.Replace shock absorber.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace springs (In pairs).
Vehicle overloaded.Reduce load.
Cupped TiresWorn wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Excessive tire or wheel run out.Replace tire or wheel.
Worn ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Tire out of balance.Adjust tire balance.

3C±12FRONT SUSPENSION
2. Apply multipurpose type grease to the thrust washer,
and install washer with chamfered side facing knuckle
(Except 2WD model).
3. Use a new oil seal, and apply multipurpose type
grease to the area surrounded by the lip (approx. 2 g).
Then use installer J±36837 and J±8092 to install oil
seal. After fitting the oil seal to the installer, drive it to
the knuckle using a hammer or bench press until the
tool front face contacts with the thrust washer (Except
2WD model).
901RW167
4. Install knuckle assembly.
5. Install upper ball joint and tighten the nut to the
specified torque, with just enough additional torque to
align cotter pin holes. Install new cotter pin.
Torque: 98 N´m (72 lb ft)
6. Install lower ball joint and tighten the nut to the
specified torque, with just enough additional torque to
align cotter pin holes. Install new cotter pin.
Torque: 147 N´m (108 lb ft)
7. Install back plate.
8. Install wheel speed sensor.
9. Install torsion bar, refer to
Torsion Bar in this section.
NOTE: A d j u s t t h e t r i m h e ight. Refer to Front End
Alignment Inspection and Adjustment in Steering.

3D±2REAR SUSPENSION
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Vehicle PullsMismatched or uneven tires.Replace tire.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust tire pressure.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring.
Radial tire lateral force.Replace tire.
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.
Brake dragging in one wheel.Repair brake.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Tighten or replace the appropriate
suspension part(s).
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace shock absorber.
Parts in power steering valve
defective.Replace power steering unit.
Abnormal or Excessive Tire WearSagging or broken spring.Replace spring.
Tire out of balance.Balance or replace tire.
Improper wheel alignment.Check front end alignment.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Hard driving.Replace tire.
Overloaded vehicle.Replace tire and reduce load.
Tires not rotated periodically.Replace or rotate tire.
Worn or loose road wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Wobbly wheel or tires.Replace wheel or tire.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust the pressure.
Wheel HopBlister or bump on tire.Replace tire.
Improper shock absorber operation.Replace shock absorber.
Shimmy, Shake or VibrationTire or wheel out of balance.Balance wheels or replace tire/or
wheel.
Loose wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Worn steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Worn upper or lower end ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Excessive wheel runout.Repair or replace wheel and/or tire.
Blister or bump on tire.Replace tire.
Excessive loaded radial runout of
tire/wheel assembly.Replace tire or wheel.
Improper wheel alignment.Check wheel alignment.
Loose or worn steering linkage.Tighten or replace steering linkage.
Loose steering unit.Tighten steering unit.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust tire pressure.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Tighten or replace the appropriate
suspension parts.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Hub bearing preload misadjustment.Adjust preload.
Parts in power steering valve
defective.Replace power steering unit.

REAR SUSPENSION3D±3
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
Hard SteeringBind in steering linkage ball studs,
upper or lower ball joint.Replace ball joint.
Improper wheel alignment.Check wheel alignment.
Tire not adequately inflated.Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Bind in steering column or shaft.Repair or replace.
Improper power steering system
operation.Repair or replace. Refer to Steering
section.
Too Much Play In SteeringWheel bearings worn.Replace wheel bearings.
Loose steering unit or linkage.Retighten or repair.
Worn or loose steering shaft
universal joint.Retighten or replace steering shaft.
Worn steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Worn upper or lower end ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Poor Steering Wheel ReturnabilityBind in steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Bind in upper or lower ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Bind in steering column and shaft.Repair or replace.
Bind in steering gear.Check and repair steering gear.
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust pressure.
Loose steering wheel nut.Retighten.
Worn wheel bearing.Replace.
Abnormal NoiseWorn, sticky or loose upper or lower
ball joint, steering linkage ball joints
or drive axle joints.Replace.
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace.
Worn upper or lower control arm
bushing.Replace.
Loose stabilizer bar.Retighten bolts or replace bushings.
Loose wheel nuts.Tighten nuts. Check for elongated
wheel nut holes. Replace wheel if
required.
Loose suspension bolts or nuts.Retighten suspension bolts or nuts.
Broken or otherwise damaged wheel
bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Broken suspension springs. Replace spring.
Loose steering unit. Retighten mounting bolt.
Faulty steering unit.Replace steering unit.
Wandering or Poor Steering StabilityMismatched or unevenly worn tires.Replace tire or inflate tires to proper
pressure.
Loose steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace shock absorber.
Loose stabilizer bar.Tighten or replace stabilizer bar or
bushings.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring (pairs).
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.

3D±20REAR SUSPENSION
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Vehicle PullsMismatched or uneven tires.Replace tire.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust tire pressure.
Broken or sagging springs.Replace spring.
Radial tire lateral force.Replace tire.
Improper wheel alignment.Adjust wheel alignment.
Brake dragging in one wheel.Repair brake.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Tighten or replace the appropriate
suspension part(s).
Faulty shock absorbers.Replace shock absorber.
Parts in power steering valve
defective.Replace power steering unit.
Abnormal or Excessive Tire WearSagging or broken spring.Replace spring.
Tire out of balance.Balance or replace tire.
Improper wheel alignment.Check front end alignment.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Hard driving.Replace tire.
Overloaded vehicle.Replace tire and reduce load.
Tires not rotated periodically.Replace or rotate tire.
Worn or loose road wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Wobbly wheel or tires.Replace wheel or tire.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust the pressure.
Wheel HopBlister or bump on tire.Replace tire.
Improper shock absorber operation.Replace shock absorber.
Shimmy, Shake or VibrationTire or wheel out of balance.Balance wheels or replace tire/or
wheel.
Loose wheel bearings.Replace wheel bearing.
Worn steering linkage ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Worn upper or lower end ball joints.Replace ball joints.
Excessive wheel runout.Repair or replace wheel and/or tire.
Blister or bump on tire.Replace tire.
Excessive loaded radial runout of
tire/wheel assembly.Replace tire or wheel.
Improper wheel alignment.Check wheel alignment.
Loose or worn steering linkage.Tighten or replace steering linkage.
Loose steering unit.Tighten steering unit.
Tires not adequately inflated.Adjust tire pressure.
Loose, bent or broken front or rear
suspension parts.Tighten or replace the appropriate
suspension parts.
Faulty shock absorber.Replace shock absorber.
Hub bearing preload misadjustment.Adjust preload.
Parts in power steering valve
defective.Replace power steering unit.