Alignment Specs for 2005?

[StudentPilot]

Can someone please post the alignment specs for the 2005 pilot? I'm about to try DIY alignment using this proven method:
Click

I've checked the combined toe setting using a pair of "toe plates " but without the strings it doesn't tell me how much toe is off on each wheel.

For a rough check of your camber, all you need is a long straight edge with a built-in bubble level. Pin it vertically against your wheel and if the left & right side bubble are in the same location at least you know your camber settings on both sides are equal I'm sure you can do some rough calibration to determine how much bubble movement is for each degree if you want to be more percise.

It is actually quite easy, so hope some of you guys will give it a try too.

[rocky]

Any particular reason why your Pilot needs an alignment? Are tires wearing oddly?

[A6Pilot]

I would strongly reccomend that you not try to 'shade tree' a wheel alignment on your 2005 Pilot. Your Pilot has 4 wheel independent suspension, and should be aligned with a computerized four wheel alignment equipment (such as Hunter's Hawk-eye system). The correct alignment procedure is to check/adjust:
1. Front caster angle.
2. Front camber angle.
3. Rear camber angle.
4. Front toe.
5. Rear toe.
6. Turning angle.

Honda alignment specs are listed with mm and degree-minutes of precision, something you probably won't get with a string and ruler/bubble level. Some of the specs are adjustable via a wrench (ie, front camber,and front and rear toe), and some settings are not adjustable, except by replacing parts (ie, caster, rear camber, and turning angle).

Ask yourself this, "Would I trust a mechanic who aligned my car if he used some string, a couple of jackstands, a ruler, and a bubble level?"

You gotta wonder if it is really that important to save a few bucks?

[belundy]

gotta agree with A6--doing an accurate toe setting is fairly easy. Getting an accurate camber reading is tough as you have to compensate for any slight angle the car is sitting at. Very few garage floors are level within a few tenths of a degree, or are level across a large area.

Unless you are getting some unusual tire wear or steering pull, then I'd leave the adjustments alone.

That said, there is *some* merit to tweaking toe to the + side (toe in) of the tolerance, which appears to help Odyssey and Pilot tracking stability and wheel vibrations that aren't wheel balance or tire related.

[StudentPilot]

I only adjusted the Toe using the string method and it worked! It was out by only 2mm, but enough to wear on the inner and outer edge of the tire.

Initially, I was skeptical about the DIY Method , but it wasn't all that hard to level the garage floor where the 4 tires are. Also, the string method allows you to measure the toe settings on all four wheels. Camber can't be all that hard using a carpenter's triangle pinned against the rim. After all, it is just simple Trigonometry once you have your workspace calibrated.


Calibration is everything. I am just old enough to remember when there were no computers, cellphone, electronic calculator and the world was totally Analog. No digital what-so-ever. Man broke the sound barrier and went to the moon on slide-rules

The Honda's front and rear track only differ by 0.2 inches, so with a good metric ruler, it is easy to setup the lines and have accuracy down to the mm. Adjusting the tie-rods for the toe-alignment was a piece of cake. Just craw under the car behind the front wheels and you can reach the adjustment with your wrench.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by belundy
[B]gotta agree with A6--doing an accurate toe setting is fairly easy. Getting an accurate camber reading is tough as you have to compensate for any slight angle the car is sitting at. Very few garage floors are level within a few tenths of a degree, or are level across a large area.

Unless you are getting some unusual tire wear or steering pull, then I'd leave the adjustments alone.

That said, there is *some* merit to tweaking toe to the + side (toe in) of the tolerance, which appears to help Odyssey and Pilot tracking stability and wheel vibrations that aren't wheel balance or tire related.

[ED27]

Originally posted by StudentPilot
Can someone please post the alignment specs for the 2005 pilot? I'm about to try DIY alignment using this proven method:
Click

These are the specs for an '04 Pilot but I'm pretty sure the '05 is the same. Source is the factory service manual.

Camber
Front: -0°30' ±1°
Rear: -0°30' ±45'

Caster
Front: 1°53' ±1°

Total Toe
Front: 0±2 mm (0±1/16")
Rear: 0±2 mm (0±1/16")

Front Wheel Turning Angle
Inside Wheel: 38°08'
Outside Wheel: 30°19' (Reference)

[belundy]

Student,

I looked at the string method link--if you want to do your own four wheel alignments looks to be reasonable as long as you have some way of keeping the measuring ruler exactly perpendicular AND level to string and rim. Otherwise, you'll have non-repeatable measurements due to errors in two dimensions.

Would like to know what carpenters level you are using that measures in tenths of a degree and produces repeatable readings?

How did you level the garage floor at each wheel?

In any case, there isn't enough play in the strut pinch bolt holes to get camber out of tolerance. If camber is out of tolerance then something is bent or worn out.

There is some merit in checking cross camber as more than a 1/2 degree difference can cause steering pull.