Ford F150 Pickup. Manual - part 1812

Fig. 15: Instilling Upper Control Arm-To-Frame Nut & Washer 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 WHEEL ALIGNMENT Specifications & Procedures - Blackwood & F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 16: Adjusting Camber/Caster 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

F150 Pickup (4WD) 

1. Loosen the nuts to a point where the upper suspension arm joints are snug. To increase caster, move the 

front of the upper control arm outboard and move the rear of the upper control arm inboard. To increase 
camber, move the upper control arm outboard equally. See Fig. 16 .  

2. To decrease caster, move the front of the upper control arm inboard and move the rear of the upper 

control arm outboard. To decrease camber, move the upper control arm inboard equally. 

3. Set the caster and camber to specifications. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS . If a 

caster increase of 0.9 degree is required, move the front of the upper control arm outboard by 3 notches 
and move the rear of the upper control arm inboard by 3 notches.  

4. Tighten the nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . 

NOTE:

A pry bar can be used between the upper control arm and the frame pocket to 
aid in moving the arm.

NOTE:

Each increment of the notches on the frame pocket represents 0.3 degree.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 WHEEL ALIGNMENT Specifications & Procedures - Blackwood & F150 Pickup

  

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT 

1. Start the engine and center the steering wheel. Turn the engine off, and hold the steering wheel in the 

"straight forward" position by attaching a rigid link from the steering wheel to the brake pedal.  

2. Check the toe settings. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS . Clean and lubricate the 

steering linkage and tie-rod end threads. Hold the tie-rod end while loosening the nuts. Rotate the front 
wheel spindle tie-rod adjusting sleeve to the desired position. See Fig. 17 .  

3. Make sure the inner and outer ball joint sockets are perpendicular to the ball studs. Hold the adjuster 

sleeve in position with locking type pliers positioned against the lower control arm. Tighten one adjuster 
sleeve jam nut to the specified torque.  

4. Make an alignment mark across the adjuster sleeve and the tightened jam nut. Make a second mark across 

the jam nut and the tie-rod end threads. Tighten the remaining jam nut. Check the alignment marks. If 
either mark is out of alignment, check the toe setting. Readjust, if necessary, and repeat steps 3 and 4 .  

Fig. 17: Adjusting Toe 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

NOTE:

Whenever the toe set jam nuts are loosened for toe adjustment, the nut and tie-
rod threads must be cleaned and lubricated.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 WHEEL ALIGNMENT Specifications & Procedures - Blackwood & F150 Pickup

  

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Application

Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

Blackwood

Ball Stud Nut

(1)

Upper Control Arm Adjustment Nut

84-112 (113-153)

Tie Rod Jam Nut

66 (90)

F150 Pickup

Upper Control Arm Adjustment Nut

84-112 (113-153)

Tie Rod Jam Nut

66 (90)

(1)

Tighten nut to 106 INCH lbs. (14 N.m).

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 WHEEL ALIGNMENT Specifications & Procedures - Blackwood & F150 Pickup