Rear suspension angles - general

The rear wheel toe and camber angles are set in production and do not require checking under normal service conditions. Of the two, only the toe setting can be adjusted, the camber angle being fixed by production sizes and tolerances.

The only time that angles will need to be checked will be after an accident in which the rear of the car has suffered damage or where a rear end skid has caused a side impact on a rear roadwheel.

Severely worn components of the rear suspension can also cause the angles to be misaligned, in which case renewal of the defective components should rectify the suspension angles and alignment.

The actual settings have been revised a number of times as a result of component changes during the course of production and also to improve directional stability. The settings also vary according to model year, engine size and optional equipment, and to list all the settings would be beyond the scope of this manual. If in any doubt about the rear suspension angles, or if the rear tyre wear appears excessive it is recommended that the car be taken to a Ford dealer for accurate checking on optical alignment equipment.

    See also:

    Ford VV carburettor - removal and refitting
    Note: Refer to the warning at the end of Section 1 before proceeding. A new gasket must be used on refitting. Removal 1 Disconnect the battery negative lead. 2 Remove the air cleaner (Section 2). ...

    Rear suspension/final drive unit rear mounting (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models) - renewal
    Note: From May 1986, revised rear suspension/final drive unit rear mounting bolts have been used in production. Whenever the earlier type of bolts are removed, they should be discarded and the lat ...

    Spark plug renewal - RS Turbo models (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
    1 The correct functioning of the spark plugs is vital for the correct running and efficiency of the engine. It is essential that the plugs fitted are appropriate for the engine, and the suitable t ...