Login to enhance your online experience. Login or Create an Account
Logo
Shopping Cart

Shopping Cart 0 Items (Empty)

Toyota Hilux 2005-2013 factory workshop and repair manual download

Ordered, theory-focused procedure for suspension geometry adjustment on a Toyota Hilux (general: applies to most Hilux generations). For model‑specific bolt types or factory numbers, refer to the vehicle service manual. No fluff — theory first, then the ordered actions and how each repair fixes the fault.

Theory — what the suspension angles do and why they matter
- Toe (front and total): angle the wheels point in/out when viewed from above. Toe-in stabilizes straight-line tracking but excessive toe causes feathering/edge wear and steering instability. Toe changes are very powerful in low‑speed instability and tyre wear.
- Camber: tilt of the wheel top in/out when viewed from front. Negative camber (tops in) improves cornering grip; positive camber causes outer wear and poor turn-in. Wrong camber causes rapid inner or outer tyre wear and changes steering feel in corners.
- Caster: fore/aft tilt of the steering axis. Positive caster gives self-centering and more straight-line stability; changes camber during steering sweep (camber gain). Incorrect caster causes steering pull, poor returnability and vague feel.
- Thrust angle / rear axle alignment: the angle the rear axle points relative to vehicle centerline. If rear thrust is off, the whole car will dog-leg (steer off-center) even if front toe is correct. Thrust angle controls whether the front is aimed down the centre of the car.
- Ride height: geometry is referenced from ride height—springs sag or lifted vehicles change camber/caster/toe relationships. Always set ride height before measuring.
- Play/worn components: worn bushings, ball joints, tie rods, bent arms allow uncontrolled angle changes under load; adjusting geometry without fixing wear is temporary and will not hold.
- Adjustment coupling: adjusting one parameter often alters others (e.g., changing camber via control arm may change toe). That’s why alignment is iterative.

Common faults and how a correct adjustment repairs them
- Pull to one side: caused by unequal camber/caster, toe asymmetry, or rear thrust angle. Fix: measure which angle is off, correct caster/camber/toe and/or correct rear axle shims/track rod so thrust angle is zero. Repair restores symmetric lateral forces so car tracks straight.
- Uneven tyre wear (inner/outer feathering): toe and camber errors. Correct by setting toe to spec and camber to spec. If wear due to worn parts, replace them so new geometry will hold.
- Wandering/poor stability: excessive toe-out, low positive caster, or worn components. Setting a small toe‑in and restoring caster and replacing worn parts restores stability.
- Poor returnability: low or asymmetric caster. Increasing/setting caster makes steering self-center; correcting caster on both sides equalizes return.
- Rear axle not centered under body: bent axle, broken spring shackles, incorrect shims or loose U‑bolts. Correct by shimming/adjusting panhard/track rod or repairing bent parts.

Ordered procedure (theory + what to do, in sequence)
1) Pre-check and repair worn components (theory: geometry must be adjusted on healthy components)
- Inspect tyres (even wear?), pressures, rim runout.
- Check steering play (tie rods, rack), ball joints, control-arm bushings, strut mounts, spring condition, rear axle shackles and leaf springs.
- Replace any worn/bent components. Reason: worn parts let angles move under load; adjustments won’t hold and alignment will not solve the underlying instability.

2) Set correct ride height and static load (theory: geometry is height-dependent)
- Restore stock ride height (sags, lifted lifts change camber/caster/toe). If ride height not correct, adjust springs or use factory shims.
- Load vehicle to normal ride condition (fuel, spare) or as per factory procedure.

3) Center the steering wheel and ensure steering stops are correct (theory: steering center must be reference)
- Straighten steering wheel and count rack turns or center steering rack if required. Lock wheel using center punch marks or follow factory centering method.
- Reason: toe and toe symmetry are measured with steering centered.

4) Mount alignment measuring equipment (theory: accurate measurement is required)
- Use an alignment rack with sensors or turnplates with toe plates plus a camber gauge. On a budget, string method or digital gauges can be used but are less precise.
- Zero sensors to vehicle centerline/perimeter reference.

5) Measure and record baseline values (theory: to know what to correct and how much)
- Record toe (per wheel and total), camber (each side), caster (each side), thrust angle, and any steering axis inclination if available.
- Note any asymmetry.

6) Adjust toe (first, because it’s the easiest and most influential)
- Theory: toe affects straight-line behavior and tyre wear quickly and is easy to change via tie‑rod length.
- On Hilux: front toe is adjusted by turning the steering tie‑rod ends or rack tie‑rod adjusters. Backlash must be removed and lock nuts tightened.
- Method: adjust each tie rod to achieve specified toe (often small total toe-in). Re-centre steering if necessary.
- How this fixes faults: reducing excessive toe-in/out stops feathering/edge wear; correcting asymmetry removes steering pull.

7) Adjust camber and caster (if adjustable on that model) — iterate with toe
- Theory: camber/caster affect tyre contact in corner and steering return. Many Hilux models use fixed camber/caster; some use eccentric bolts, adjustable control arms, or strut top slots.
- If adjustable:
- Camber: adjust eccentric bolts at strut tops or lower control arm position to reach factory camber. Negative or positive camber corrected to spec reduces inner/outer wear.
- Caster: adjust via control arm position, cam bolts, or adjustable bushes. Match both sides and ensure caster difference within spec. Caster adjustment will change toe slightly — recheck toe after.
- If non-adjustable: correct by replacing bent control arms, shims or using adjustable aftermarket arms.

8) Set thrust angle / rear axle alignment
- Theory: rear axle must point down the vehicle centreline; otherwise the front wheels must be steered off-center to compensate.
- On Hilux live-axle rear: align axle using shims at the forward spring eyes or by adjusting a track/panhard rod or adjustable rear track bar (depending on model). Replace or re-shim springs if required.
- Goal: thrust angle = 0° relative to vehicle centerline; rear axle centerline aligned with chassis centerline.
- How this fixes faults: removes dog-leg effect where vehicle tracks off-center; eliminates compensation steering and uneven front tyre wear.

9) Recheck all angles and iterative fine-tuning
- Theory: adjustments interact. After camber/caster or rear changes, recheck toe and thrust.
- Re-tighten all locking nuts to correct torque (torqueing can shift camber/toe slightly — final check after torquing).
- Ensure steering wheel centered; if final toe set causes steering wheel off-center, correct by small tie‑rod adjustments (not by changing toe on both wheels together).

10) Road test and final verification
- Theory: real-world load and dynamic forces can reveal residual issues.
- Perform a test drive with typical speeds and straight-line and turning maneuvers. Check steering return, pulling, vibration.
- Re-measure on lift and correct any remaining deviations.

Practical notes specific to Toyota Hilux
- Front: most Hilux variants use rack-and-pinion with double wishbone or strut front. Toe is almost always adjustable via tie rods. Camber/caster may be adjustable via eccentric bolts on control arm or strut top on some years; on other years you must change arm/shims to correct camber/caster.
- Rear live axle: alignment typically set by spring perch shims, adjustable track/panhard bar or adjustable rear track rod. Leaf-spring packs compressing or misplaced spring plates cause thrust error — remedy with correct shimming or spring replacement.
- If you find bent components (control arm, axle housing) replace — alignment cannot correct bends.
- Always use new locking hardware or new split pins and torque to Toyota specs.

Typical fault-to-fix examples (concise)
- Symptom: car pulls left; tyre wear on right outer.
- Likely: front toe or camber asymmetry, or rear thrust angle off to the right.
- Fix: inspect/replace worn parts, center steering, measure/correct camber/caster, set rear thrust = 0°, adjust toe to spec.
- Symptom: rapid feathering across middle of tread.
- Likely: excessive toe.
- Fix: set toe to spec (adjust tie rods), verify wheel bearings and hub runout.
- Symptom: steering doesn’t return after turns/feels heavy.
- Likely: low or unequal caster.
- Fix: adjust caster where possible (control arm ecentric/shims), ensure strut mounts and bushings healthy.

Tools and tolerances
- Use an alignment rack with computerized head units whenever possible for speed and accuracy.
- If using manual methods, use toe plates/string, precision camber gauge, and a good torque wrench.
- Always follow factory torque specs and alignment specs for the exact Hilux model. Typical principle: very small toe values (close to zero or slight toe-in), camber near zero ± small degrees, caster positive and matched L/R. Exact numbers vary by year/trim.

Final reminder (brief): Replace worn parts first, set ride height, center steering, measure, correct toe, then camber/caster, set rear thrust, iterate, torque and road test. That sequence fixes the physical causes and restores correct geometry so handling and tyre wear return to normal.
rteeqp73

You Might Also Like...

Kryptronic Internet Software Solutions