Chapter 1 Routine maintenance and servicing

1595Ford Fiesta Remake10•18 Suspension and steeringFront wheel toe setting -checking and adjustment2 Due to the special measuring equipmentnecessary to accurately check the wheelalignment, and the skill required to use itproperly, checking and adjustment is best leftto a Ford dealer or similar expert. Note thatmost tyre-fitting shops now possesssophisticated checking equipment. Thefollowing is provided as a guide, should theowner decide to carry out a DIY check.3 The front wheel toe setting is checked bymeasuring the distance between the front andrear inside edges of the roadwheel rims.Proprietary toe measurement gauges areavailable from motor accessory shops.Adjustment is made by screwing the trackrods in or out of their track rod end balljoints,to alter the effective length of the track rodassemblies.4 For accurate checking, the vehicle mustbe at the kerb weight, ie unladen and with afull tank of fuel.5 Before starting work, check the tyrepressures and tread wear, the condition of thehub bearings, the steering wheel free play,and the condition of the front suspensioncomponents (see Chapter 1). Correct anyfaults found.6 Park the vehicle on level ground, check thatthe front roadwheels are in the straight-aheadposition, then rock the rear and front ends tosettle the suspension. Release the handbrake,and roll the vehicle backwards 1 metre, thenforwards again, to relieve any stresses in thesteering and suspension components.7 Measure the distance between the frontedges of the wheel rims and the rear edges ofthe rims. Subtract the smallest measurementfrom the largest, and check that the result iswithin the specified range.8 If adjustment is necessary, apply thehandbrake, then jack up the front of thevehicle and support it securely on axle stands(see “Jacking and Vehicle Support”). Turn thesteering wheel onto full-left lock, and recordthe number of exposed threads on the righthandtrack rod. Now turn the steering ontofull-right lock, and record the number ofthreads on the left-hand side. If there are thesame number of threads visible on both sides,then subsequent adjustment should be madeequally on both sides. If there are morethreads visible on one side than the other, itwill be necessary to compensate for thisduring adjustment. Note: It is most importantthat after adjustment, the same number ofthreads are visible on each track rod.9 First clean the track rod end; if they arecorroded, apply penetrating fluid beforestarting adjustment. Release the rubber gaiteroutboard clips (where necessary), and peelback the gaiter; apply a smear of grease tothe inside of the gaiter, so that both are free,and will not be twisted or strained as theirrespective track rods are rotated.10 Use a straight-edge and a scriber orsimilar to mark the relationship of each trackrod to its track rod end balljoint, then, holdingeach track rod in turn, unscrew its locknutfully.11 Alter the length of the track rods, bearingin mind the note made in paragraph 8. Screwthem into or out of the track rod end balljoints,rotating the track rods using a self-gripwrench. Shortening the track rods (screwingthem into their track rod end balljoints) willreduce toe-in/increase toe-out.12 When the setting is correct, hold the trackrods and securely tighten the track rod endballjoint locknuts. Count the exposed threadsto check the length of both track rods. If theyare not the same, then the adjustment has notbeen made equally, and problems will beencountered with tyre scrubbing in turns;also, the steering wheel spokes will no longerbe horizontal when the wheels are in thestraight-ahead position.13 If the track rod lengths are the same, lowerthe vehicle to the ground and re-check thetoe setting; re-adjust if necessary. When thesetting is correct, securely tighten the track rodend balljoint locknuts. Ensure that the rubbergaiters are seated correctly, and are nottwisted or strained, and secure them in positionwith new retaining clips (where necessary).