2015 Ford Explorer Wheel Alignment Specifications

As an ASE-certified alignment technician, I’ve put countless fifth-generation Ford Explorers on the alignment rack. The 2015 Ford Explorer is a robust, heavy crossover SUV that shares its unibody architecture with the Taurus. Due to its size, weight, and suspension geometry, keeping the alignment dialed in is critical to preventing premature tire wear, ensuring safe handling, and maintaining fuel efficiency.

Below, you’ll find the factory alignment specifications, what you can (and can’t) adjust straight from the factory, and how to spot when it’s time to get your SUV back on the rack.

Quick reference

Here is the quick reference guide for the 2015 Ford Explorer wheel alignment specifications. These values cover both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) models under standard factory ride height conditions.

(Note: Target specs can vary slightly based on specific wheel size packages or police interceptor sub-models. Always cross-reference with your specific alignment machine's updated database.)

Adjustability

When dealing with a 2015 Ford Explorer, it is essential to understand that not all angles are adjustable right off the showroom floor.

Front Axle:

• Toe: Factory adjustable. This is done by loosening the jam nuts on the inner tie rods and turning the inner tie rod to adjust the length.
• Camber: Non-adjustable from the factory. The front suspension uses a MacPherson strut design. There are no factory eccentric bolts or slotted mounting holes.
• Caster: Non-adjustable from the factory. Like camber, this is baked into the geometry of the subframe, lower control arm, and strut tower.

Rear Axle:

• Toe: Factory adjustable. The Explorer utilizes an eccentric bolt (cam bolt) on the rear toe link where it mounts to the subframe.
• Camber: Generally non-adjustable from the factory, though slight shifts in the subframe can sometimes yield minor changes.
• Thrust Angle: Adjusted by equalizing the rear individual toe values.

If front camber, front caster, or rear camber are out of specification, it typically indicates worn components (like sagging springs, worn control arm bushings, or a bent strut) or structural shifts from hitting a deep pothole. To correct these without replacing major suspension parts, aftermarket adjustment hardware is required.

Recommended adjustment hardware

If your 2015 Ford Explorer requires camber or caster corrections, standard factory hardware will not suffice. As an alignment tech, I highly recommend installing quality aftermarket adjustment kits to bring the vehicle back into the green.

• Front Camber Bolts: Replacing the upper strut-to-steering-knuckle bolt with an aftermarket eccentric cam bolt (such as those offered by SPC Performance or Moog) allows for up to ±1.5 degrees of camber adjustment.
• Rear Adjustable Camber Arms: If the rear camber is excessively negative (often caused by rear coil spring sag from hauling heavy loads), an aftermarket adjustable rear upper control arm allows technicians to dial the rear camber back into factory spec, saving your rear tires' inner edges.

Symptoms of bad alignment

Because the Explorer is a heavy vehicle, a bad alignment will chew through expensive tires rapidly. Watch out for these common tire-wear patterns and drivability issues:

• Inner or Outer Edge Wear (Camber Wear): If the inside edge of your tires is worn smooth, your Explorer likely has excessive negative camber. This is especially common on the rear axle.
• Feathering or Cupping (Toe Wear): If you run your hand across the tire tread and it feels jagged like a saw blade in one direction but smooth in the other, your toe is out of spec. Excessive toe-in or toe-out causes the tire to scrub sideways down the road.
• Pulling to One Side: If the steering wheel is straight but the vehicle drifts into the next lane, you may have unequal front camber or caster, or a severe rear thrust angle issue.
• Crooked Steering Wheel: If you are driving straight down the highway but the Ford emblem on your steering wheel is tilted, your total toe is centered incorrectly.

When to align

To protect your investment in tires and suspension parts, you should schedule a wheel alignment for your 2015 Ford Explorer under the following circumstances:

1. After Installing New Tires: Never put a new set of tires on an unaligned vehicle. An alignment ensures they start their life rolling straight.
2. After Suspension or Steering Repairs: If you replace front struts, tie rod ends, lower control arms, or rear toe links, the geometry has changed and an alignment is strictly required.
3. After an Impact: Hitting a deep pothole, a curb, or road debris can bend a component or shift the subframe enough to throw the specs out of range.
4. Annually: Due to the normal wear and tear of rubber suspension bushings over time, having the alignment checked once a year is a smart preventative maintenance step.

Typical alignment cost

For a 2015 Ford Explorer, a standard four-wheel alignment will generally cost between $90 and $150 at most reputable shops or dealerships. However, if the technician discovers that the camber or caster is out of specification and aftermarket adjustment hardware (like front cam bolts) needs to be installed, expect to pay an additional $40 to $80 for the parts, plus an extra 0.5 to 1.0 hours of labor.

Don't let bad geometry ruin a perfectly good set of tires. Find a trusted alignment shop on Repairius.