How to Realign a Truck's Mounting Bolts

Knowing how to do your own car maintenance is an important, cost-saving skill. Realigning truck mounting bolts, which fixes your front end alignment, is not an everyday maintenance need, but is important to know in order to save you time, money and the headache of taking your truck to a mechanic.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Gather the items you will need to realign the mounting bolts on your upper and lower ball joints. This should include a socket wrench with a 21mm socket, and a crescent wrench. If you are worried about your hands getting dirty or greasy, wear some latex gloves to protect them.

2. Locate the control arm mounting bolts and lay your socket wrench with 21mm socket attached under this area. Next, locate two marks which you will use to realign the front end of your vehicle. One mark should be on the vehicle frame, the other on the chamber bolt.

3. Use the socket wrench and socket to tighten down the fastening, or retaining, nut of the control arm mounting. At the same time, use the crescent wrench to align your mark on the chamber bolt and the mark on the vehicle frame. If you have a hard time finding these marks, consult your vehicle's repair manual for information.

4. Tighten the bolts by hand when the marks are lined up. Then double check that the tightening did not move the marks out of alignment, if they did realign. If not, finish tightening the bolts with a wrench. Check your vehicle's repair manual to check for torque specifications.