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Wheel Alignment
The purpose of proper wheel alignment is to provide maximum safety, ease of handling, stability, and directional control of the vehicle. This requires that each of the steering angles (steering geometry) be adjusted to the specifications recommended by the vehicles require different settings. Follow the specific shop manual for each vehicle. The wheels must also be in proper dynamic and static balance to achieve these purposes.
Steering geometry refers to the angels formed by the steering and suspension parts in relationship to the frame and body of the vehicle. These angles include camber, caster, steering axis inclination, toe in (toe out), and toe out on turn (turning radius). Ideally, the vehicle center line, geometric center line, and the thrust line would all be identical and the car would form a perfect 90о rectangle. Because of factory tolerances and the unitized construction common to today’s cars, this is rarely, if ever, the case.
On all vehicles it is important to remember that the rear axle dictates the position of the front wheels. On frame-type vehicles, two-wheel alignments are taken from the frame and the rear axle is assumed to be in correct alignment. On unitized vehicles with four wheel independent suspension, there is no frame to work with, so we can no longer assume that rear wheels are in correct alignment; therefore, four-wheel alignment is necessary to give proper steering and handling.
Tracking and wheelbase
For proper tracking, all four wheels must be parallel to the frame. This requires that the wheelbase to equal on both sides of the vehicle. The four wheels should be positioned to form a rectangle.
Camber
Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel at the top. Inward tilt is negative camber and outward tilt is positive camber. The tilt of the wheel (camber) is measured in degrees and is adjustable on many vehicles.
Caster
Caster is the forward or backward tilt of the spindle or steering the knuckle at the top when viewed from the side. Forward tilt is negative caster and backward tilt is positive caster. Caster is measured in the number of degrees that it is forward or backward from true vertical and is adjustable on many vehicles.
Steering Axis inclination
Steering axis inclination is the inward tilt of the steering knuckle at the top. Steering axis inclination is measure in degrees and is not adjustable. If incorrect, suspension parts are at fault and must be replaced.
Toe-In (Toe Out)
Toe-in occurs when the front wheels are slightly closer together at the front wheels are slightly closer together at the front than at the rear. Toe-in is measured in inches, millimeters, or degrees. A limited amount of toe-in or toe-out is needed to allow for the fact that the wheels spread apart or come together slightly at the front when driving down the road, depending on vehicle design. This provides a zero running toe and no tire scuffing.
Incorrect toe-in or toe-out is the most frequent cause of rapid tire-tread wearing. Toe setting is the last adjustment to be made when performing a wheel alignment. On most front-wheel-drive vehicles, toe-out setting is required to provide a zero running toe. This is because the driving front wheels are trying to go around the steering axis inclination pivot point with a negative scrub radius. Rear wheels are designed with zero to slight toe-in, depending on the vehicle. This provides straight running as driving forces tend to push back the rear spindles. Correct toe is important for increasing tire life.
Toe-Out on Turns
Toe-out on turns is the different turning radius of the two front wheels. When the car is in a turn, the inner wheel is turned more than the outer wheel, resulting in toe-out on turns. This is caused by the steering arms being bent inward where they connect to the steering linkage. It is needed to prevent tire scuffing (dragging sideways) during a turn. Since the inner wheel follows a smaller circle than the outer wheel when in a turn, toe-out on turns is necessary. Toe-out on turns is not adjustable and is corrected by replacing steering arms.
Center Point Steering
Although not technically an alignment angle, this causes more customer complaints than any other condition. Customers generally know little about alignment and to them, when the steering wheel is not centered, the car is not aligned correctly.
Wheel Alignment Procedure
Customer and vehicle safety depend on the technician’ ability to follow proper procedures and specifications. To achieve this, the following factors should be included.
􀂾 Perform all pre-alignment checks properly to determine extent of repairs required.
􀂾 The vehicle’s steering and suspension system, including tires, should be in good condition before attempting alignment.
􀂾 Use all alignment equipment as recommended by manufacturer.
􀂾 Tighten all fasteners to specified torque.
􀂾 Install cotter pins wherever required.
􀂾 Observe all safety precautions when positioning the vehicle on the alignment machine. |
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