This procedure performs a complete four-wheel alignment on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, adjusting camber, caster, and toe angles to factory specifications to ensure proper tire wear and handling.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Cam bolt kit (if replacement needed) × 1 — GM 15862656 or equivalent
• Tie rod end (if damaged during adjustment) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Verify tire pressures are set to door jamb specifications (front and rear) before beginning alignment.
2. Inspect all suspension components for wear, damage, or play (ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, wheel bearings).
3. Check for aftermarket suspension modifications that may affect alignment specifications.
4. Ensure vehicle is at proper ride height with no excessive loads in cab or bed.
5. Position vehicle on alignment rack according to manufacturer instructions for the alignment system being used.

Procedure

1. 1

   Install alignment heads and perform initial measurements
   Attach wheel alignment sensors to all four wheels according to alignment machine manufacturer's instructions. Ensure sensors are properly seated and secured. Perform wheel runout compensation procedure by rolling vehicle forward and backward as directed by alignment system. Record initial alignment readings for camber, caster, and toe on all four wheels.
2. 2

   Lock steering wheel in centered position
   Center the steering wheel and verify it is straight. Use a steering wheel lock or brake pedal depressor to prevent steering movement during adjustment. Verify that steering wheel is centered by checking that front wheels point straight ahead and spokes are level.
3. 3

   Adjust rear toe (if out of specification)
   On models with adjustable rear toe, loosen the toe link jam nuts and rotate the adjustment sleeve to achieve proper toe setting per factory specifications (typically 0.10° ± 0.20° total toe-in). This vehicle has a solid rear axle; if rear toe is out of specification, inspect for bent axle housing or leaf spring issues. Rear toe is generally not adjustable on base models.
4. 4

   Loosen front lower control arm cam bolts
   Locate the cam bolts on the front lower control arm at the frame mounting points (front and rear positions). Apply penetrating oil if bolts show corrosion. Using an 18mm socket, loosen but do not remove both cam bolts on the side being adjusted. The cam bolts control both camber and caster through eccentric washers.
   ⚠Do not remove cam bolts completely as this may cause control arm to shift out of position and damage brake lines or ABS wiring.
5. 5

   Adjust front camber and caster
   Using a pry bar, move the lower control arm fore or aft while monitoring alignment readings. Rotating the front cam bolt primarily affects caster, while the rear cam bolt primarily affects camber. Adjust front cam bolt to achieve caster specification (typically +3.7° to +5.7°), then adjust rear cam bolt to achieve camber specification (typically -0.5° to +1.0°). Make small adjustments and recheck readings after each change.
6. 6

   Torque cam bolts to specification
   Once camber and caster are within specification, torque both front and rear cam bolts to 129 Nm (95 lb-ft) using a torque wrench. Hold the cam bolt head with a wrench while torquing the nut to prevent the eccentric cam from rotating. Verify alignment readings have not changed after torquing.
   ⚠Failure to properly torque cam bolts can result in alignment shift during driving and premature tire wear.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Repeat camber and caster adjustment for opposite side
   Perform the same cam bolt loosening, adjustment, and torquing procedure on the opposite front lower control arm. Ensure both sides are within specification and cross-camber (difference between left and right camber) does not exceed 0.5°.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Loosen tie rod jam nuts for toe adjustment
   Locate the tie rod adjustment sleeve between the inner and outer tie rod ends on both sides. Clean threads with wire brush if corroded. Loosen the tie rod jam nuts on both the inner and outer sides of the adjustment sleeve using appropriate wrenches. Do not disconnect tie rod ends from steering knuckle or center link.
9. 9

   Adjust front toe to specification
   Rotate the tie rod adjustment sleeve to lengthen or shorten the tie rod assembly while monitoring toe readings on alignment machine. Turning the sleeve inward (shortening) increases toe-in; turning outward (lengthening) increases toe-out. Adjust to achieve total front toe specification of 0.10° ± 0.20° toe-in (typically 0.10° to 0.30° total). Ensure left and right individual toe settings are nearly equal.
10. 10

    Torque tie rod jam nuts
    Once toe is within specification, torque the tie rod jam nuts to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft). Ensure the adjustment sleeve does not rotate while torquing. Verify toe readings remain within specification after torquing both sides.
    ⚠Ensure tie rod adjustment sleeve clamps are positioned away from ball joint boots to prevent damage.
    Torque spec

    Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Perform final alignment verification
    Review all final alignment readings on the alignment machine printout. Verify camber, caster, and toe are all within manufacturer specifications for front and rear. Check that steering wheel is still centered. If steering wheel is off-center but toe is correct, steering wheel may need to be removed and repositioned on the steering shaft splines.
12. 12

    Remove alignment equipment and test drive
    Remove all alignment sensors and wheel clamps from the vehicle. Remove steering wheel lock. Lower vehicle from alignment rack and perform a test drive to verify straight-line tracking and centered steering wheel position under normal driving conditions.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all cam bolts and tie rod jam nuts are torqued to specification and no suspension hardware was left loose.
2. Verify alignment sensors and wheel clamps have been removed from all four wheels before driving.
3. Print and retain alignment report showing before and after measurements for customer records.

Verification

• Confirm all alignment angles (camber, caster, toe) are within green/acceptable range on final alignment printout.
• Verify steering wheel is centered when driving straight on level road.
• Test drive vehicle at various speeds to confirm no pulling to left or right.
• Check that vehicle tracks straight with hands lightly on steering wheel.
• Confirm no unusual tire scrubbing sounds during turns that might indicate binding or improper toe setting.

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