Drive Axle Alignment: Checking
- Ensure vehicle is at proper ride height with full tank of gasoline. Measure ride height from top of axle tube to bottom of frame. See Fig 1
. Bounce vehicle and allow to return to normal ride height before measuring. Ensure ride height is within specification. See RIDE HEIGHT & UNIVERSAL JOINT ANGLE SPECIFICATIONS
table.
- If ride height is not within specification on models with electronic suspension, adjust height sensor. See HEIGHT SENSOR
under ADJUSTING in this article. On models without electronic suspension, add weight to trunk to obtain correct ride height.
- With vehicle level and supported at axles, measure universal joint angles. Clean all bearing caps and install Inclinometer (J-23498 or J-23498-A) and Inclinometer Adapter (J-23498-20) on rear drive shaft bearing cap. See Fig 2
. Bearing cap must be straight up and down. Center bubble in sight glass, and record reading.
- Remove inclinometer, rotate drive shaft 90 degrees and install inclinometer on drive yoke bearing cap. Measure angle and subtract smaller reading from larger reading to determine rear universal joint angle.
- Attach Inclinometer Adapter (J-23498-20) to front drive shaft bearing cap. See Fig 3
. Attach inclinometer to adapter and repeat procedure used on rear universal joint to obtain front universal joint angle.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.