1. Alignment Fundamentals Part One

2. Suspension Systems Designed to: Maintains directional stability:
provide satisfactory vehicle control
acceptable driver effort
Maintains directional stability:
on various road surfaces
all types of weather
loaded and unloaded
towing

3. Road Variables Road Crown Bumps & Pot Holes
Crosswinds & Cross winds created by other vehicles
Road surfaces
Side forces
Drive axle forces
Suspension part movement

4. Rear Wheel Alignment & Vehicle Tracking
Thrust Line – Imaginary 90 degree angle to the centerline of the rear wheels
Rear Wheel Offset – axle asm out of position, not parallel to centerline

5. Improper Thrust Angle

6. Wheel Base
The distance between the center of the front & rear wheels

7. Tracking
Position of the rear wheels in relationship to the front

8. Ride Height
The distance between the frame & the ground. If distance varied over ¼” between sides, handling can be affected.

9. Camber Fundamentals Inward/outward tilt of wheel from true vertical.
Vehicle will pull to side most positive.
Affects tire wear.

10. Camber Fundamentals
Negative Camber Positive Camber

11. Jounce & Rebound Jounce - Upward wheel movement
Rebound – Downward wheel movement

12. Caster Fundamentals
Tilt of a line that intersects the lower and upper ball joints (strut mount) in relation to true vertical

13. Caster Fundamentals

14. Positive Caster Helps return to straight ahead position
Increases steering effort, the wheels try to stay straight
Pos caster helps maintain directional stability
Too much affects steering, rapid wheel return
Pulls to side with the most pos caster.

15. Negative Caster Decreases directional stability
Reduces steering effort

16. Tire Wear
Caster has effect on tire wear