Important: In the event of a tire wear concern, please
note the position on the vehicle and where the wear is
occurring on the tire; i.e., the RF tire is wearing on the
inside shoulder.

Bulletin No.: 05-03-07-009F

2. Document the technician’s findings on cause and
correction of the issue. Examples:
• Reset LF toe from 0.45 degrees to
0.10 degrees and RF toe from -0.25 degrees to
0.10 degrees to correct the steering wheel
angle from 5 degrees counterclockwise to
0 degrees.
• Reset LF camber from 0.25 degrees to
-0.05 degrees to correct the cross-camber
condition of +0.30 degrees to 0.00 degrees on
the vehicle.
• Front Sum toe was found to be 0.50 degrees,
reset to 0.20 degrees.
3. Print-out the “Before” and “After” wheel alignment
measurements/settings and attach them to the
Repair Order or if print-out capability is not
available, measurements may also be clearly and
legibly handwritten into the Wheel Alignment
Repair Order Questionnaire attached to this
bulletin.
4. Attach the Wheel Alignment Repair Order
Questionnaire below along with the print-out of
“Before” and “After” wheel alignment
measurements to the Repair Order and retain for
use by GM.

Wheel Alignment Equipment and
Process
Wheel alignments must be performed with a quality
machine that will give accurate results when performing
checks. "External Reference" (image-based camera
technology) is preferred. Please refer to the latest
version of Corporate Bulletin Number 05-00-89-029:
General Motors Dealership Critical Equipment
Requirements and Recommendations.
Requirements:
• Computerized four wheel alignment system.
• Computer capable of printing before and after
alignment reports.
• Computer capable of time and date stamp
printout.
• Racking system must have jacking capability.
• Racking system must be capable of level to
1.6 mm (1/16 in).
• Appropriate wheel stops and safety certification.
• Built-in turn plates and slip plates.
• Wheel clamps capable of attaching to 20" or larger
wheels
• Racking capable of accepting any GM passenger
car or light duty truck.
• Operator properly trained and ASE-certified (U.S.
only) in wheel alignment.
Recommendations:
Racking should have front and rear jacking capability.

Bulletin No.: 05-03-07-009F

May, 2013

Equipment Maintenance and Calibration:
Alignment machines must be regularly calibrated in
order to give correct information. Most manufacturers
recommend the following:
• Alignment machines with "internal reference"
sensors should be checked (and calibrated, if
necessary) every six months.
• Alignment machines with "external reference"
(image-based camera technology) should be
checked (and calibrated, if necessary) once
a year.
• Racks must be kept level to within 1.6 mm
(1/16 in).
• If any instrument that is part of the alignment
machine is dropped or damaged in some way,
check the calibration immediately.
Check with the manufacturer of your specific equipment
for their recommended service/calibration schedule.
Wheel Alignment Process
When performing wheel alignment measurement and/
or adjustment, the following steps should be taken:
Preliminary Steps:
1. Verify that the vehicle has a full tank of fuel
(compensate as necessary).
2. Inspect the wheels and the tires for damage.
3. Inspect the tires for the proper inflation and
irregular tire wear.
4. Inspect the wheel bearings for excessive play.
5. Inspect all suspension and steering parts for
looseness, wear, or damage.
6. Inspect the steering wheel for excessive drag or
poor return due to stiff or rusted linkage or
suspension components.
7. Inspect the vehicle trim height.
8. Compensate for frame angle on targeted vehicles
(refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in SI).
Satisfactory vehicle operation may occur over a wide
range of alignment angles. However, if the wheel
alignment angles are not within the range of
specifications, adjust the wheel alignment to the
specifications. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications
in SI. Give consideration to excess loads, such as tool
boxes, sample cases, etc. Follow the wheel alignment
equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Measure/Adjust:
Important: Prior to making any adjustments to wheel
alignment on a vehicle, technicians must verify that the
wheel alignment specifications loaded into their wheel
alignment machine are up-to-date by comparing these
to the wheel alignment specifications for the
appropriate model and model year in SI. Using
incorrect and/or outdated specifications may result in
unnecessary adjustments, irregular and/or premature
tire wear and repeat customer concerns.
Important: When performing adjustments to vehicles
requiring a 4-wheel alignment, set the rear wheel
alignment angles first in order to obtain proper front
wheel alignment angles.

Page 9

Perform the following steps in order to measure the
front and rear alignment angles:
1. Install the alignment equipment according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Jounce the front and the rear bumpers 3 times
prior to checking the wheel alignment.
3. Measure the alignment angles and record the
readings.
If necessary, adjust the wheel alignment to vehicle
specification and record the before and after
measurements. Refer to Wheel Alignment
Specifications in SI.
Important: Technicians must refer to SI for the correct
wheel alignment specifications. SI is the only source of
GM wheel alignment specifications that is kept
up-to-date throughout the year.
Test drive the vehicle to ensure a proper repair.

Understanding the Effects of Wheel
Alignment on a Vehicle vs. Customer
Complaints (Quick Reference Section)
Note: Refer to SI for complete alignment
specifications.
•

•
•

Prior to any measurement on the alignment
machine, you must confirm the current
specifications and tolerances as listed in GM’s
Service Information System. Do not assume that
numbers in the alignment machine are correct, as
it may not have been recently updated.
Always use the correct specifications for that
vehicle based on confirmed vehicle option
content.
It is important to always include as much
information as possible in the RO – including the
confirmed customer complaint and the complete
before and after alignment measurements on the
vehicle.

Steering Wheel Angle Complaints:
A true steering wheel angle complaint can be
diagnosed as a vehicle that goes straight down the
road without extra steering input, but the steering wheel
angle is clocked to one side or the other. Make sure to
always note which direction the steering wheel is
clocked on the Repair Order (“Left/CCW” or
“Right/CW”).
If a steering wheel angle complaint has been verified, it
should be noted that front and rear toes are the only
alignment values that affect the angle of the steering
wheel.
Vehicle Pull Complaints:
Prior to any adjusts, the vehicle must be driven to
confirm the customer complaint. Use this drive to verify
that the vehicle does have a pull and it is not a steering
wheel angle issue. Try and use same stretch of road
for all drives so that you understand the different
characteristics of that specific road.

Page 10

May, 2013

A true vehicle pull only complaint will have the vehicle
pull to one side or the other regardless of steering
wheel angle. It may require more than normal effort to
keep the vehicle going straight.
Important: It is possible for customers to confuse a
steering wheel off angle issue as a vehicle pull, as they
may be trying to hold the wheel centered (level) on a
straight road which would be adding a slight steering
input to the wheels. If this is the case, please note this
on the Repair Order, including the direction the vehicle
is pulling.
Please note the following on what can cause a
vehicle pull:
• Tires
• Alignment settings
Tires: If a pull complaint has been verified but all the
alignment settings all are within specifications, the
issue may be in the tires. Certain tire differences left to
right may cause a vehicle pull. Swapping the front tires
left to right and re-evaluating is a simple way to verify a
tire issue.
Important: Always ensure tire pressures are set to
correct specifications before and after evaluating a
vehicle.
Important: Always note if tires are directional and not
able to be permanently swapped side to side.

Bulletin No.: 05-03-07-009F

Important: If Cross Camber and Cross Caster are
within GM specifications listed in the Service
Information System, it generally means they are not
the reason for a vehicle pull complaint.
Note: Although not normally an adjustable setting on
many vehicles, you should always verify the caster
repair procedure in GM’s Service Information System.
Road Slope:
It is important to always note road slope during a drive,
high angles can cause a vehicle to drift one way or the
other. As flat of road as possible should be used for
evaluations.

Effect of Road Slope

Alignment Information
Alignment
Settings:

Positive Value

Negative Value

Front Cross Camber
(LH minus RH)

Pulls Left

Pulls Right

Front Cross Caster
(LH minus RH)

Pulls Right

Pulls Left

Front and Rear Toe

Does Not Cause
Vehicle Pulls

2873520

Does Not Cause
Vehicle Pulls

Important: Front or rear toe values being out of
specifications do not cause a true vehicle pull. If only
front or rear toe values are out of specification on a
confirmed vehicle pull issue, something else is causing
the pull.

Bulletin No.: 05-03-07-009F

May, 2013

Page 11

Trough Wander / Tramlining
Troughs or grooves in the road can pull a vehicle to
either side depending on where in the groove the tire
is. The tires will always want to pull the vehicle up the
wall of the trough.

Trough Wander / Tramlining

2873518

Page 12

May, 2013

Bulletin No.: 05-03-07-009F

Wheel Alignment Repair Order Questionnaire
Note: Please fill in the blanks. Additional help can be found in the “Vehicle Lead/Pull Diagnostics” located in SI under
Suspension – General Diagnosis.
Servicing Dealer:
Phone Number:
VIN__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Technician Name:
Date:
Model:
Year:
Odometer: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
TAC Case # if applicable:
Vehicle Concern Information
Customer Concern:
Tire Wear____ Steering Wheel Off-Angle___
Lead/Pull____ Other ___________________
Was the customer concern duplicated? Yes___ No___
Is the tire pressure within +/- 3 psi of the tire placard? Yes___ No___
If No, record the tire pressures (psi):
LF____ RF____ LR____ RR____
Tire Wear (If Applicable)
Please check all boxes that apply:
Left Front Tire:
Even Wear___ Inside Shoulder___
Center___ Outside Shoulder___ Cupping/Feathering___
Right Front Tire:
Even Wear___ Inside Shoulder___
Center___ Outside Shoulder___ Cupping/Feathering___
Left Rear Tire:
Even Wear___ Inside Shoulder___
Center___ Outside Shoulder___ Cupping/Feathering___
Right Rear Tire:
Even Wear___ Inside Shoulder___
Center___ Outside Shoulder___ Cupping/Feathering___
Steering Wheel Off-Angle (If Applicable)
Which way was the steering wheel off angle?
Lead/Pull (If Applicable)
Which way does the vehicle lead or pull? Right___ Left___
Were the front tires swapped side to side? Yes___ No___
Was the vehicle checked for brake drag? Yes___ No___
Was the steering gear checked for unbalance?

Bulletin No.: 05-03-07-009F

May, 2013

Page 13

Record Alignment Measurements or Print and Attach Before and After Printouts
Left Front
Before

After

Right Front
Before

After

Left Rear

Right Rear

Before

After

Before

After

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

Toe:
Camber:
Caster:
Z/D-Height

Frame Angle Measurement (Express / Savana Only) _________________
What corrected the customer concern and was the repair verified? Please Explain:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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