Wheel Alignment Angles

Camber is the inward or outward tilting of the wheels from a true vertical position. 1. Positive camber refers to wheels that are tilted out at the top, causing the wheels to be farther apart at the top than at the bottom. 2. Negative camber refers to wheels that are tilted in at the top, causing the wheels to be closer at the top than at the bottom.

Caster is the backward or forward tilt of the ball joints or strut from a truly vertical position. The backward tilt of the ball joints or strut is called positive caster. The forward tilt of the ball joints or strut is called negative caster.

 Toe is a measurement of the difference in distance between the front and rear of opposing tires. The purpose of toe is to achieve directional stability while the vehicle is moving. Toe is an adjustable angle that affects tire wear. Toe is measured in inches, millimeters, or degrees.  The condition called "toe-in" occurs when the distance between the front of the wheels is less than the distance between the back of the wheels. The condition called "toe-out" occurs when the distance at the front of the wheels is greater than at the back of the wheels.  Rear-wheel-drive vehicles are usually set slightly toe-in because the force created as the vehicle rolls forward tends to force the front of the tires outward. Many front-wheel-drive vehicles are set with a slight toe-out because the tires tend to move together at the front as the vehicle rolls forward.