Thursday, December 5, 2013
Mustang Front End Alignment Specs
The Mustang has been one of the most recognizable cars in the United States since Ford introduced it in 1964. Ford brought out a new generation of the Mustang in 2005 and abandoned the Fox-body platform that had been used in the Mustang since the 1970s. The 2010 Ford Mustang came in several coupe and convertible trims, but the alignment specs were the same for all trims. The alignment was not adjustable on the rear end of any 2010 Mustang.
Caster
The caster angle is equivalent to the slope of an imaginary line drawn through the upper and lower ball joints of a wheel. The angle is based on zero being a vertical line straight up from the ground. If the top of the slope passes on the side of the line toward the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle has a positive caster. If the top of the slope passes on the side of vertical toward the front of the vehicle, then the vehicle has a negative caster. The ideal setting for the caster angle is +7.1 degrees but it can range by 0.75 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.75 degrees.
Camber
The camber angle of a wheel is based on the way that the wheel leans when viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel leans out, away from the vehicle, then the wheel has a positive camber. If the top of the wheel leans in, toward the vehicle, then the wheel has a negative camber. The ideal camber setting is -0.75 degrees but it can range by 0.75 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.75 degrees.
Toe-in
The toe of a wheel is based on its angle in relation to the centerline of the vehicle. Most vehicles are designed to be slightly pigeon-toed in order to relieve pressure from the steering axis. This is known as toe-in and is measured in positive degrees or inches. The toe on the 2010 Ford Mustang should be set at +0.2 degrees but it can range by 0.2 degrees in either direction.
