This procedure covers the complete wheel alignment process for the 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost V6, including front toe, camber, caster, and rear toe adjustments using factory specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tie rod end dust boot (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cam bolt assembly (if corroded/damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Verify tire pressures are set to manufacturer specifications (check door jamb sticker)
2. Inspect all suspension components for wear: ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, wheel bearings
3. Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times to settle suspension before placing on alignment rack
4. Verify vehicle is at curb weight with approximately full fuel tank
5. Remove any cargo or excessive weight from vehicle bed and cabin
6. Center steering wheel and lock in place with brake pedal depressor if available

Procedure

1. 1

   Position vehicle on alignment rack
   Drive vehicle onto alignment rack, centering wheels on turntables and slip plates. Ensure front wheels are on turntables and rear wheels are on slip plates. Do not apply parking brake. Chock rear wheels if necessary for safety.
2. 2

   Attach alignment sensors and perform initial readings
   Install alignment sensors according to manufacturer instructions on all four wheels. Perform wheel compensation procedure per alignment machine specifications. Lock turntables and slip plates, then take initial alignment readings. Record all values for front and rear camber, caster, and toe.
3. 3

   Evaluate alignment specifications
   Compare readings to Ford factory specifications. For 2021-2024 F-150 RWD: Front camber should be -0.4° to +0.4° (preferred 0°), front caster 3.7° to 5.7° (preferred 4.7°), front total toe -0.10° to +0.30° (preferred +0.10°). Rear camber -0.8° to +0.2° (preferred -0.3°), rear total toe -0.10° to +0.30° (preferred +0.10°). Determine which adjustments are needed.
4. 4

   Adjust front camber if necessary
   If front camber is out of specification, loosen the upper control arm cam bolts using 18mm socket. Rotate the cam bolts to adjust camber angle. The front cam bolt primarily affects caster, while the rear cam bolt primarily affects camber. Make small adjustments and recheck readings. Both camber and caster are adjusted simultaneously through these cam positions.
   ⚠Cam bolts affect both camber and caster; adjusting one will influence the other
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Adjust front caster if necessary
   Caster is adjusted using the same upper control arm cam bolts. Moving the upper ball joint forward (loosening front cam, tightening rear cam) increases caster. Moving it rearward decreases caster. Make incremental adjustments and verify readings. Balance caster side-to-side within 0.5° for straight-line stability.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Torque cam bolts after camber/caster adjustment
   Once camber and caster are within specification on both sides, torque both upper control arm cam bolts to specification while ensuring cam position does not shift. Use a backup wrench on cam if necessary. Verify alignment readings did not change after torquing.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Adjust front toe
   Unlock turntables to allow wheels to move freely. Loosen tie rod jam nuts on both inner tie rods using 22mm wrench. Adjust toe by rotating the tie rod sleeve: turning it forward (toward front of vehicle) on driver side increases toe-in, turning rearward decreases toe-in. Adjust both sides equally to maintain centered steering wheel position. Make small adjustments and recheck readings.
   ⚠Adjust both tie rods equally to prevent steering wheel from being off-center
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Verify steering wheel centering
   With front toe adjusted, verify steering wheel is centered within 2° when wheels are pointing straight ahead. If steering wheel is off-center, make equal and opposite adjustments to left and right tie rods (lengthen one, shorten the other by equal amounts) to center it while maintaining total toe specification.
9. 9

   Torque tie rod jam nuts
   Hold tie rod sleeve stationary to prevent it from rotating. Torque jam nuts to specification. Verify toe readings remain within specification after torquing. Check that tie rod dust boots are not twisted or damaged.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Adjust rear camber if necessary
    Rear camber adjustment on this F-150 may require aftermarket camber adjustment bolts or shims if out of specification, as factory configuration has limited adjustability. If aftermarket camber bolts are installed, loosen them and rotate to adjust camber angle. Standard factory suspension may only be adjustable through shim installation at the leaf spring mounts (consult Ford service manual for shim specifications).
    ℹ️Factory rear suspension has limited camber adjustability; aftermarket parts may be required for correction
    Torque spec

    Camber Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Adjust rear toe
    Unlock rear slip plates. Rear toe is adjusted via the rear axle toe link eccentric cam bolts. Loosen the cam bolt lock nut, rotate the eccentric cam to adjust toe angle. Rotating cam toward front of vehicle typically increases toe-in. Adjust both sides equally to maintain thrust angle at zero. Make small incremental changes and verify readings.
    ⚠Rear toe adjustment affects thrust angle; keep thrust angle as close to 0° as possible
    Torque spec

    Tie Rod Lock Nut75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Perform final alignment verification
    Lock all turntables and slip plates. Take final alignment readings on all four wheels. Verify all angles are within manufacturer specifications and thrust angle is within ±0.10°. Verify steering wheel is centered. Print alignment report showing before and after measurements.
13. 13

    Road test vehicle
    Remove alignment sensors and lower vehicle from rack. Test drive vehicle at various speeds to verify straight-line tracking, steering wheel centering, and absence of pulling. Verify steering returns to center after turns. Listen for any unusual noises that may indicate loose components.
    ⚠If vehicle pulls or steering wheel is off-center after alignment, recheck all torque values and adjustment positions

Reassembly

1. Verify all jam nuts and lock nuts are properly torqued and will not back off during operation
2. Inspect all tie rod dust boots for damage or twisting caused during adjustment
3. Ensure no tools or alignment equipment remain under or attached to vehicle
4. Reset tire pressure monitoring system if required by alignment machine process

Verification

• Review printed alignment report showing all angles within Ford specifications
• Confirm steering wheel is centered within 2° when driving straight
• Verify vehicle tracks straight on level road with hands lightly on steering wheel
• Check that total toe readings are within specification to prevent premature tire wear
• Confirm thrust angle is within ±0.10° to prevent dog-tracking

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