2017 Subaru Forester Wheel Alignment Specifications

Understanding the wheel alignment specifications for your 2017 Subaru Forester is crucial for maintaining tire life, handling, and overall vehicle safety. Proper alignment ensures your tires wear evenly and your vehicle tracks straight down the road. This guide provides detailed specifications and essential information regarding alignment for your Forester.

Quick reference

Note: All angle measurements are in degrees and minutes.

Adjustability

On the 2017 Subaru Forester, the factory offers limited adjustability for wheel alignment. Understanding what can and cannot be adjusted is key when discussing alignment with your technician.

Front Axle:

• Camber: Factory specifications generally allow for minor camber adjustments via the eccentric bolt on the lower strut mount. However, significant changes outside the specified range often require aftermarket solutions like camber bolts or adjustable strut mounts to achieve correction.
• Caster: Caster is generally non-adjustable from the factory on the 2017 Forester. If caster is out of specification, it often indicates bent suspension components (e.g., control arm, strut, subframe) or worn bushings, which need to be inspected and replaced. Aftermarket solutions can sometimes provide minor caster adjustment.
• Total Toe/Individual Toe: Front toe is fully adjustable on the 2017 Forester by adjusting the tie rod ends. This is typically the most common and critical front alignment adjustment.
• SAI (Steering Axis Inclination): SAI is non-adjustable from the factory. Like caster, if SAI is out of spec, it usually points to damaged suspension components.

Rear Axle:

• Camber: Rear camber is typically adjustable on the 2017 Forester using an eccentric bolt or cam in the lower control arm. This allows for correction within the specified range.
• Total Toe/Individual Toe: Rear toe is fully adjustable on the 2017 Forester, usually through an eccentric cam bolt on one of the rear control arms. This is crucial for proper tracking and tire wear.
• Thrust Angle: Thrust angle is determined by the relationship of the rear wheels to the vehicle's centerline. While not directly adjustable, correcting individual rear toe and camber settings will inherently correct the thrust angle.

Recommended adjustment hardware

For instances where factory adjustment isn't sufficient, particularly for significant camber or caster variations, several aftermarket solutions are available:

• Camber Bolts (Front): Aftermarket eccentric bolts can replace the factory upper strut mount bolts, allowing for a wider range of camber adjustment. Brands like SPC offer popular kits.
• Adjustable Control Arms (Rear): For substantial rear camber or toe corrections beyond the factory eccentrics, adjustable rear control arms can provide more precise and wider adjustment ranges.

Symptoms of bad alignment

Several signs indicate your 2017 Subaru Forester may need an alignment. Pay close attention to these symptoms to prevent further issues and costly repairs:

• Uneven Tire Wear: This is the most common indicator. Specific patterns reveal different alignment problems:
  • Feathering: Saw-tooth pattern across the tread, often indicating excessive toe-in or toe-out.
  • Camber Wear (one-sided wear): Excessive wear on either the inner or outer edge of the tire, pointing to too much negative or positive camber.
  • Cupping/Scalloping: Pothole-like dips or scoops around the tire tread, often related to worn suspension components like shocks or struts, but can be exacerbated by alignment issues.
• Vehicle Pulling: The vehicle consistently drifts to one side when driving on a flat road, requiring constant steering correction.
• Off-Center Steering Wheel: Your steering wheel is not straight when driving in a straight line.
• Loose or Wandering Steering: The vehicle feels unstable and has a tendency to wander, requiring frequent small steering corrections.
• Squealing Tires: Tires squeal during turns, even at moderate speeds, indicating excessive toe or camber.

When to align

It's recommended to have your 2017 Subaru Forester's alignment checked in several situations:

• After Suspension or Steering Component Replacement: Any time components like tie rod ends, control arms, struts, or ball joints are replaced, an alignment is mandatory.
• After Installing New Tires: To ensure maximum tire life and even wear.
• After Hitting a Significant Pothole or Curb: Even if no visible damage, an impact can knock your alignment out of spec.
• Every 12,000-15,000 Miles or Annually: As a preventative measure, even if you don't notice any obvious symptoms.
• If You Notice Any of the Above Symptoms: Don't delay an alignment if you experience tire wear or handling issues.

Typical alignment cost

The cost of a wheel alignment for a 2017 Subaru Forester can vary depending on your location, the type of shop (dealership vs. independent), and whether any additional parts or labor are required (e.g., freeing seized bolts). On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $90 to $150 for a standard four-wheel alignment. This cost typically covers the measurement of all angles and adjustment of all factory-adjustable parameters. If non-adjustable components are bent or worn, or if aftermarket adjusters are needed, the total cost will increase.

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