2018 Ford Explorer Wheel Alignment Specifications

As an ASE-certified alignment technician, I know that keeping your 2018 Ford Explorer tracking straight and true is crucial for both tire longevity and driving safety. The 5th generation Explorer is a heavy crossover SUV, and its suspension works hard to keep the ride smooth and the handling predictable. Potholes, curbing, and normal suspension wear can easily knock this heavy vehicle out of alignment, leading to poor handling and premature tire replacement.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the wheel alignment specifications, adjustability, and common alignment symptoms for the 2018 Ford Explorer.

Quick reference

Here are the factory-recommended alignment specifications for the 2018 Ford Explorer. Always strive for the "Preferred" values, though staying anywhere within the "Range" is generally considered acceptable by OEM standards.

(Note: Specifications can vary slightly depending on the exact trim level, such as the Sport or Platinum models vs. base models, and whether the vehicle is FWD or 4WD. Always verify with your alignment machine's latest database.)

Adjustability

Not all angles on the 2018 Ford Explorer can be adjusted right out of the factory. Understanding what can and cannot be changed natively is vital for setting expectations when you take your SUV in for an alignment.

Front Suspension:

• Toe: Factory adjustable via the inner and outer tie rod ends. This is the most common adjustment made during a standard alignment.
• Camber: Non-adjustable from the factory. The MacPherson strut setup has fixed lower mounting holes. If camber is out of spec, it usually indicates bent suspension components (like a strut or control arm) or requires an aftermarket modification to correct.
• Caster: Non-adjustable from the factory. Like camber, if caster is out, you should inspect the lower control arms, subframe, and strut towers for damage.

Rear Suspension:

• Toe: Factory adjustable. The rear multilink suspension utilizes eccentric cam bolts on the rear toe links to adjust individual toe and, consequently, the thrust angle.
• Camber: Non-adjustable from the factory. If the rear camber is excessively negative (which is common as the rear coil springs sag over time), aftermarket upper control arms or camber bushings are required.

Recommended adjustment hardware

When your 2018 Ford Explorer falls out of its factory camber or caster ranges, technicians must use aftermarket hardware to bring the vehicle back into specification. Here are the most common solutions:

• Front Camber Bolts (Crash Bolts): To adjust front camber, you can install specialized eccentric cam bolts in the lower strut mount. Brands like SPC Performance or Moog offer 14mm or 16mm cam bolts that replace the upper factory strut bolt, providing approximately ±1.5 degrees of camber adjustment.
• Rear Adjustable Upper Control Arms: Because the rear coil springs on Explorers tend to sag under heavy loads, rear camber often goes too far negative, ruining the inner edges of the rear tires. Aftermarket adjustable rear upper control arms allow for significant camber correction, ensuring your rear tires sit flat on the pavement.

Symptoms of bad alignment

If your Explorer is out of alignment, it will usually tell you through specific tire-wear patterns or handling quirks. Look out for:

• Inner or Outer Edge Wear: If the inside edge of your tire is worn bald while the outside looks new, you likely have excessive negative camber (very common on the rear of the Explorer) or excessive toe-out. Outer edge wear points to excessive positive camber or excessive toe-in.
• Feathering: If the tread blocks feel smooth when you rub your hand across the tire in one direction but sharp in the other, your toe is out of specification.
• Cupping/Scalloping: While often a sign of worn shocks or struts, poor toe alignment can also contribute to diagonal cupping patterns.
• Pulling or Drifting: If the steering wheel is perfectly straight but the SUV drifts to the left or right, your front caster or camber is likely uneven from side to side.
• Off-Center Steering Wheel: If you have to hold the steering wheel slightly turned to go straight, your individual toe or rear thrust angle needs adjustment.

When to align

You should check and adjust the alignment on your 2018 Ford Explorer in the following situations:

1. After Suspension or Steering Work: Replacing tie rods, struts, control arms, or ball joints inherently changes the suspension geometry. An alignment is mandatory.
2. When Buying New Tires: Protect your investment. Putting new tires on an out-of-alignment vehicle will cause them to wear out prematurely.
3. After Hitting a Curb or Deep Pothole: The heavy curb weight of the Explorer means that striking a hard object transfers a lot of force into the suspension, easily bending tie rods or shifting the subframe.
4. Annually or Every 15,000 Miles: Routine checks ensure that minor shifts in alignment do not become major tire-wear issues over time.

Typical alignment cost

For a 2018 Ford Explorer, you can expect to pay between $90 and $150 for a standard four-wheel alignment. However, if your vehicle requires aftermarket front cam bolts or rear adjustable control arms to correct camber or caster, expect the cost to rise significantly. Parts and labor for installing camber correction hardware can add anywhere from $100 to $300 to the total bill, depending on the severity of the issue and the shop's labor rates.

Don't let a bad alignment ruin your tires or compromise your safety. Find a trusted alignment shop on Repairius.