1 Wheel Alignment R. Bortignon

2 Wheel Alignment Angles tire positioning angles are…tire positioning angles are…  caster  camber  toe in or toe out

3 Caster Angle caster is the angle created by the tilting of the steering knucklecaster is the angle created by the tilting of the steering knuckle  visualize line thru upper & lower ball joints or thru the strut positive caster helps the vehicle travel in a straight linepositive caster helps the vehicle travel in a straight line helps steering wheel return to center after making a turnhelps steering wheel return to center after making a turn caster does not affect tire wearcaster does not affect tire wear caster is adjustable on many cars, but not allcaster is adjustable on many cars, but not all

4 Camber Angle is the tilting of the top of the tire in or outis the tilting of the top of the tire in or out is used to offset road crown & increase directional stabilityis used to offset road crown & increase directional stability camber is a tire wearing anglecamber is a tire wearing angle camber is adjustable on most cars, but not allcamber is adjustable on most cars, but not all negative camber reduces tire slip when corneringnegative camber reduces tire slip when cornering

5Toe toe is the difference in width between the front side of the tires & the back sidetoe is the difference in width between the front side of the tires & the back side toe is used to minimize tire wear & increase directional stabilitytoe is used to minimize tire wear & increase directional stability toe is a tire wearing angletoe is a tire wearing angle

Adjusting Camber & Caster – shims or slots double wishbone suspensiondouble wishbone suspension  shims or slots are used to slide the control arm in or out…  before removing control arm, note the number & position of any shims or mark slot-to-shaft location – this simplifies reassembly 6

Adjusting Camber & Caster - Eccentrics double wishbone suspension & strutsdouble wishbone suspension & struts  eccentrics are rotated to alter caster od camber…  before removing components for repair, mark the position of eccentric – this simplifies reassembly 7

8 Toe In/Out Adjustment tie rod end length changes the toe-in or toe-outtie rod end length changes the toe-in or toe-out

care must be taken when replacingcare must be taken when replacing  tie rod ends  MacPherson struts  control arms  that wheel alignment is re-established once components have been reinstalled 9

10 Ackermann Steering Geometry “Ackermann”, AKA “toe-out on turns”, allows turning wheels to follow correct radius on turns“Ackermann”, AKA “toe-out on turns”, allows turning wheels to follow correct radius on turns steering arm design allows inner wheel to turn at a sharper angle than the outside wheelsteering arm design allows inner wheel to turn at a sharper angle than the outside wheel

11 regardless of the vehicle, wheel alignment is performed to…regardless of the vehicle, wheel alignment is performed to…  increase tire life  improve handling by maximizing tire contact with road  minimize corrections needed while driving  qualified, knowledgeable technician with modern equipment is essential for correct wheel alignment