Monday, January 30, 2012

Subaru 1970-72 Wheel Alignment Repair Guide

1970-72 SUBARU SPECIFICATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS

TIRE PRESSURE (COLD)
Before attempting to check or adjust wheel alignment, ensure that tires are properly inflated.


RIDING HEIGHT
1100 Front (1970-71) & 1300 Front (1971) - With vehicle on level ground, check riding height from center of the lower arm to floor. Measurement should be 8.94" to 9.33". To adjust, use suitable tool (925041000) and rotate adjusting cam (access to cam through opening front grill) clockwise to increase or counterclockwise to decrease riding height to specifications.
1100 & 1300 Station Wagon Rear (1971) - With vehicle on level ground, measure rear riding height from center of torsion bar to floor. Measurement should read 13.0" to 13.4". Adjustment is made from inside of trunk by turning center arm adjusting bolt which is built into the crossmember.
All Other Models Rear (1970-72) -
 1) If riding height dimension between level floor and center of torsion bar at outer end is not within specifications, adjustment is required.
2) Jack up rear of vehicle and remove rear wheels.
3) Remove nut holding lower end of shock absorber and remove from trailing arm while pushing up the trailing arm.
4) Loosen lock bolt on outer bushing of torsion bar and mark both end surfaces of torsion bar and on end surface of trailing arm shaft and outer bracket boss. Markings should be made on upper part of inner end, and lower part of outer end.
5) Hold trailing arm so torsion bar will not twist and disengage serrations of bar by tapping inner end surface of torsion bar. NOTE - Do not damage serrations during this procedure.
6) Vehicle height is raised by turning torsion bar in opposite direction to arrow mark on outer end surface of torsion bar. Reverse direction lowers vehicle height. The changing rate of vehicle height is .20" per tooth shifted. Adjust only inner end serrations by turning torsion bar after assuring that bar has been pulled out of trailing arm. Then insert outer end serrations into outer bracket boss by lining up trailing arm.
7) Install rear wheels and secure lower end of shock absorber.
8) Check vehicle height and if within specifications tighten lock bolt on outer bushing 13.0 to 18.1 ft. lbs.

CASTER
1300 & 1400 (1972) - Caster is nonadjustable. If alignment is not within specifications, inspect suspension for damage to crossmember, transverse link and body or improper installation of suspension parts. Replace with new parts or perform proper installation where necessary.
1100 (1970-71) & 1300 (1971) - If caster is not within specifications adjust by rotating caster adjusting cam until within specifications. Cam is located on lower arm next lower arm shaft.

CAMBER
1300 & 1400 (1972) - Camber is nonadjustable. If alignment is not within specifications, check for damage to suspension parts or improper installation of parts.
1100 (1970-71) & 1300 (1971) - If camber is not within specifications, adjust by rotating camber adjusting cam until within specifications. Cam is located on lower arm next to ball joint.
All Models Rear (1970-72) - Camber is adjusted by changing shims which are inserted between torsion bar inner bushing and body of vehicle. Adding shims decreases camber angle and removing shims increases angle. Adjustment procedure same for both wheels.

TOE-IN
All Models Front (1970-72) - If toe-in is not within specifications loosen tie rod lock nuts. Adjust by turning tie rod until readings are within specifications. Tighten lock nuts.
All Models Rear (1970-72) - If toe-in not within specifications, loosen bolts holding torsion bar bushing to body. Bushing is fixed to body at elongated holes and moving bushing forward decreases toe-in. To increase toe-in, move bushing towards rear of vehicle. Tighten bolts and recheck toe-in.