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Wheel Alignment Guide

This document discusses various aspects of wheel alignment, including: - Common alignment angles like camber, caster, toe, and their effects on vehicle handling and tire wear. - Alignment inspection procedures for tires, steering linkage, wheel bearings, and suspension components. - Types of alignments including centerline, thrust angle, and four-wheel alignments. - The alignment procedure of setting up equipment, measuring angles, and adjusting camber, caster, and toe. - Common adjustment methods for different vehicle designs, such as using shims, eccentric cams, and adjusting strut or tie rod lengths.

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Varshasonawane962
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297 views5 pages

Wheel Alignment Guide

This document discusses various aspects of wheel alignment, including: - Common alignment angles like camber, caster, toe, and their effects on vehicle handling and tire wear. - Alignment inspection procedures for tires, steering linkage, wheel bearings, and suspension components. - Types of alignments including centerline, thrust angle, and four-wheel alignments. - The alignment procedure of setting up equipment, measuring angles, and adjusting camber, caster, and toe. - Common adjustment methods for different vehicle designs, such as using shims, eccentric cams, and adjusting strut or tie rod lengths.

Uploaded by

Varshasonawane962
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Wheel Alignment: Overview of wheel alignment including its importance and basic concepts.
  • Caster and Ride Height: Correlation between caster settings and vehicle ride height.
  • Toe Angle: Explanation of toe angles and how they affect vehicle movement.
  • Camber Split: Details on camber split and adjustments between different wheels.
  • Caster Angle: Instructions on caster angle settings and improvement of steering control.
  • Camber Angle: Explanation of camber angle and its role in alignment settings.
  • Suspension System Service: Guidelines for servicing suspension systems as part of the alignment checks.
  • Scrub Radius: Description of scrub radius and its impact on steering dynamics.
  • Thrust Angle: Details the concept of thrust angle and how it affects vehicle alignment.
  • SAI and Included Angle: Overview of Steering Axis Inclination and its combination with camber for alignment.
  • Alignment Pre-Checks: Pre-inspection checks and adjustments prior to detailed alignment procedures.
  • Toe Out On Turns: Discussion on toe-out on turns for improving cornering stability.
  • Types of Alignments: Various alignment types explained with their appropriate uses and benefits.
  • Steering Linkage Inspection: Notes on steering linkage checks important for accurate alignment.
  • Tire Inspection: Instructions for inspecting tires as part of regular alignment service.
  • Bearing Adjustment Inspection: Explanation on inspecting and adjusting wheel bearings for optimal performance.
  • Alignment Procedure: Step-by-step process for performing a vehicle wheel alignment.
  • Suspension Inspection: Details the inspection process for vehicle suspension in alignment context.
  • Moveable MacPherson Strut: Overview of adjustable MacPherson struts used in alignment.
  • Alignment Adjustments: Instructions for making alignment adjustments including tools and methods.
  • Control Arm Cams: Description of control arm cams and their role in suspension adjustments.
  • Adjustable Strut Rod: Guidelines for adjusting strut rods as part of correction procedures.
  • Control Arm Shims: Explanation of how control arm shims are applied in adjustment processes.
  • Camber and Caster Adjustment: Detailed process for adjusting camber and caster for optimal alignment.
  • Toe Adjustment: In-depth detail on adjusting toe settings in alignment procedures.
  • Toe Adjustment Procedure: Comprehensive procedure for toe adjustment in alignment processes.

AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment

Steering and Suspension

2/27/2008

Steering and Suspension

Camber Angle
Wheel Alignment
Donald Jones
Brookhaven College

Steering and Suspension

Camber Split

Camber is the amount


that the centerline of the
wheel tilts away from true
vertical when viewed from
the front of the vehicle
Camber places the tire
tread flat on the road
reducing tire wear and
improving vehicle
handling
Excessive camber will
cause wear on the edge
of the tires tread

Steering and Suspension

Caster Angle

Camber split is the


difference between the
left and right camber
settings
Excessive camber split
will cause a vehicle to
pull to the most positive
side
Camber split should be
limited to a degree or
less to prevent vehicle
pull

Positive caster is the


rearward tilt of the
steering axis
Negative caster is the
forward tilt of the steering
axis
The vehicle will pull to the
least positive side
Not a tire wear angle
Caster aides in directional
stability and steering
wheel return

Steering and Suspension

Steering and Suspension

Caster and Ride Height


It is important to
consider normal
vehicle loading
when performing
alignment checks
and adjustments
What effect does
loading the truck
have on caster?

Toe Angle
Inward or outward
variation of tires from a
straight ahead position
Toe in is referred to as
positive toe
Toe out is referred to as
negative toe

Not a directional control


angle
Toe is a critical tire wear
angle that commonly
causes feathered tire
tread wear

AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment

Steering and Suspension

2/27/2008

Steering and Suspension

SAI and Included Angle

SAI - Steering Axis


Inclination

Angle between the


steering knuckle
pivot points and
true vertical

Included Angle

Sum of SAI and


camber

Steering and Suspension

Scrub Radius
Scrub radius is the
distance between
the tread centerline
and the point where
a projection of the
steering axis angle
would contact the
road surface

Steering and Suspension

Toe Out On Turns

Thrust Angle

Toe out on turns is the


difference in turning angles
between the two front tires
measured at a specific
turning angle
Customers concerns about
toe out on turns are usually
related to tire squeal during
low speed parking
maneuvers
Improper toe out on turns is
commonly caused by bent or
damaged steering linkage
and/or steering knuckles

Steering and Suspension

Steering and Suspension

Suspension System Service


Alignments are often
considered part of routine
vehicle maintenance
A vehicles alignment should
always be checked and
adjusted after performing
any steering or suspension
system service that could
impact alignment angles
Proper wheel alignment
affects vehicle handling,
control, ride quality and tire
life

Thrust angle is the


difference between
the centerline of
the vehicle and the
thrustline of the
rear axle

Negative - rear
wheels point left
Positive - rear
wheels point right

Alignment Pre-Checks
Tire pressure and
condition
Evidence of recent
collision damage
Ride height
Wheel bearings
Steering linkage
Suspension
components

AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment

Steering and Suspension

Tire Inspection
Check and adjust tire
pressure to the vehicle
manufacturers
specifications
Inspect the tires for
abnormal wear such as
Center wear
Wear on both outer
edges
Wear on one outer edge
Feathering
Cupping or damage

Steering and Suspension

Steering Linkage Inspection

2/27/2008

Steering and Suspension

Bearing Adjustment Inspection


Wheel bearings
should be inspected
for proper
adjustment or
excessive wear
Attempt to rock the
tire from top to
bottom
Watch video

Steering and Suspension

Suspension Inspection

Steering linkage should


be inspected for
excessive wear or
damage
Attempt to rock the tire
from left to right
Carefully inspect the
linkage for evidence of
damage
Watch video

Inspect all bushings for


evidence of damage,
cracking and wear
Inspect control arms,
springs, ball joints, etc.
for evidence of damage
and wear
Inspect shock
absorbers and struts for
leakage and damage
Watch video

Steering and Suspension

Steering and Suspension

Types of Alignments
Center line alignment
The vehicles front wheels
are aligned to the vehicles
center line

Thrust angle alignment


The vehicles front wheels
are aligned to match the
rear wheels thrust angle

Four wheel alignment


All four wheels are aligned
to the vehicles center line

Alignment Procedure
Perform alignment prechecks
Set up the alignment
computer as per the
equipment manufacturers
instructions
Mount and compensate
the alignment sensor
heads
Remove turn-plate pins
Measure caster
Watch video

AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment

2/27/2008

Steering and Suspension

Steering and Suspension

Alignment Adjustments

Camber and Caster Adjustment

Compare the alignment


specifications to the
vehicles actual settings
and adjust in the
following order
Rear camber
Rear toe
Front caster
Front camber
Front toe

Camber is adjusted
by moving the top of
the tire inward or
outward
Caster is adjusted
by moving the upper
steering pivot point
forward or backward
Watch video

Steering and Suspension

Steering and Suspension

Control Arm Shims

Moveable MacPherson Strut

Adding shims between


the control arm and
frame as shown moves
the upper ball joint
inward
Changing the shim pack
dimensions allows the
technician to change
caster and camber
Some vehicles use
shims to move the
control arm outward

Elongated strut
mounting holes may
allow the strut to be
moved to change caster
and/or camber
Some vehicles require
you to rotate the strut in
mount holes to make
changes in caster
and/or camber

Steering and Suspension

Steering and Suspension

Adjustable Strut Rod


Change strut rod
length moves the
lower ball joint to be
shifted forward and
rearward
Moving the lower
ball joint forward
increases caster

Strut Rod

Control Arm Cams


Eccentric cams allow
the technician to move
the upper ball joint in
and out
Moving both eccentrics
equally changes only
camber
Moving one cam in and
the other cam out an
equal amount changes
only caster

Eccentric Cams

AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment

Steering and Suspension

Toe Adjustment
Toe is adjusted to
set the tires parallel
to one another while
the vehicle is
moving
Toe is adjusted by
increasing or
decreasing tie rod
length
Watch video

2/27/2008

Steering and Suspension

Toe Adjustment Procedure


Set the steering wheel straight ahead and lock the
wheel
Parallelogram
Loosen the clamps
Rotate the adjuster sleeve
Tighten the clamps

Rack and pinion


Loosen the tie rod end lock nut
Rotate tie rod
Tighten tie rod end lock nut

AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment 2/27/2008 1 Steering and Suspension Wheel Alignment Wheel Alignment Donald Jones Brookhaven Colle
AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment 2/27/2008 2 Steering and Suspension SAI and Included Angle SAI and Included Angle • SAI - Steerin
AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment 2/27/2008 3 Steering and Suspension Tire Inspection Tire Inspection • Check and adjust tire pres
AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment 2/27/2008 4 Steering and Suspension Alignment Adjustments Alignment Adjustments • Compare the ali
AUMT 1316 - Wheel Alignment 2/27/2008 5 Steering and Suspension Toe Adjustment Toe Adjustment • Toe is adjusted to set the t

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