This procedure covers performing a four-wheel alignment on a 2015 Kia Forte, including measuring and adjusting camber, caster, toe, and thrust angle to manufacturer specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level alignment rack surface and set parking brake
2. Check and adjust all tire pressures to door placard specifications (front and rear)
3. Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns that may indicate suspension damage
4. Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times to settle suspension
5. Check for worn suspension components (ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings). Replace before alignment if necessary
6. Ensure vehicle is at curb weight - remove heavy cargo, fill fuel tank to approximately half
7. Place brake pedal depressor to keep brakes applied during measurements

Procedure

1. 1

   Mount alignment heads and perform initial measurements
   Install alignment heads on all four wheels according to alignment machine manufacturer instructions. Ensure heads are securely mounted and level. Perform rolling compensation by following machine prompts (typically rolling vehicle forward and backward). Take initial measurements of camber, caster, toe, and thrust angle on all four wheels. Record values and compare to Kia specifications.
2. 2

   Evaluate rear alignment first
   Check rear camber, toe, and thrust angle readings. The 2015 Forte has limited rear adjustability. Rear camber is generally non-adjustable unless aftermarket camber bolts are installed. If rear toe is out of specification and no adjustment provision exists, check for bent suspension components or damaged mounting points. Rear alignment sets the thrust line for front adjustments.
3. 3

   Adjust front camber if necessary
   If front camber is out of specification, loosen the upper strut mount cam bolts. On the 2015 Forte, camber adjustment is made at the top of the strut tower (under hood). Rotate the cam bolt to adjust camber angle while monitoring the alignment machine display. Make small adjustments and recheck readings. Once specification is achieved, hold adjustment position.
4. 4

   Torque cam bolts to specification
   With camber adjustment in the correct position, torque the cam bolts to exactly 122 Nm (90 lb-ft) using a calibrated torque wrench. This is a CRITICAL torque specification - under-torquing can allow the adjustment to slip, while over-torquing can damage the strut tower threads. Verify camber reading has not changed after torquing. Re-adjust if necessary.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Loosen tie rod jam nuts for toe adjustment
   Apply penetrating oil to tie rod jam nuts if they appear corroded. Using a 17mm wrench on the inner tie rod and a 19mm wrench on the jam nut, loosen both left and right tie rod jam nuts. Do not remove completely - loosen just enough to allow the tie rod to rotate freely. Count and record the number of exposed threads on each tie rod before adjustment for reference.
6. 6

   Adjust front toe
   With steering wheel locked in straight-ahead position (use brake pedal depressor or steering wheel lock on alignment machine), rotate the tie rod sleeves to adjust toe on each side. Turn clockwise to increase toe-in, counterclockwise to increase toe-out. Make equal adjustments on both sides to maintain steering wheel centering. Monitor alignment machine display and adjust until toe is within specification (typically 0° ± 0.15° total toe).
7. 7

   Torque tie rod jam nuts
   Once toe adjustment is correct, hold the tie rod sleeve firmly in position with one wrench while torquing the jam nut to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft) using a torque wrench. Ensure the tie rod does not rotate during torquing. Repeat for both sides. If equipped with tie rod lock nuts (some variants), torque to 65 Nm (48 lb-ft).
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Tie Rod Lock Nut65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Verify steering wheel centering
   With vehicle still on alignment rack, turn steering wheel lock-to-lock and return to center. Verify steering wheel is centered with wheels pointing straight ahead. If steering wheel is off-center, loosen jam nuts and adjust tie rods equally - lengthen one side while shortening the other by the same amount. Re-torque jam nuts and verify toe specification is maintained.
9. 9

   Perform final measurement verification
   Remove brake pedal depressor and steering lock. Roll vehicle forward approximately one vehicle length, then back to original position to settle suspension. Reinstall brake pedal depressor. Take final alignment measurements on all four wheels. Verify all angles (camber, caster, toe, thrust angle) are within manufacturer specifications and side-to-side differences are within tolerance.
10. 10

    Print alignment report and remove equipment
    Print final alignment report showing before and after measurements. Remove alignment heads from wheels. Remove brake pedal depressor. Test drive vehicle to verify straight-line tracking and steering wheel centering. Note any pull or drift that may indicate remaining alignment issues or tire problems.

Reassembly

1. No disassembly is typically required for standard wheel alignment
2. If any suspension components were removed for access, reinstall with appropriate torque specifications
3. Verify all tie rod boots are intact and properly seated after adjustment

Verification

• Verify alignment printout shows all measurements within green/acceptable range per Kia specifications
• Test drive vehicle in straight line - vehicle should track straight with no pull to either side
• Verify steering wheel is centered when driving straight with hands off wheel momentarily (safe conditions only)
• Check that steering returns to center smoothly after turns
• Verify total toe measurement is within ±0.15° and individual toe readings are balanced side-to-side
• Confirm all tie rod jam nuts and cam bolts were torqued to specification
• Road test should show no unusual tire noise or vibration indicating improper adjustment

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