CHAPTER 74 Alignment

by
Russell Krick
Publisher
The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Tinley Park, Illinois
Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only
(12 Topics)
Wheel alignment principles Caster Camber Toe Steering axis inclination Toe-out on turns (turning radius)
Tracking Prealignment inspection Adjusting wheel alignment Wheel alignment tools and equipment Alignment machines Road test after alignment
The main purpose of wheel alignment is to make sure the tires roll without scuffing, slipping, or dragging under all operating conditions
Alignment Angles
Six fundamental angles are needed for proper wheel alignment:
caster camber toe steering axis inclination toe-out on turns (turning radius) tracking (thrust line)
Forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis (steering knuckle) when viewed from the side of the vehicle Controls the tires load distribution in relation to an imaginary centerline drawn through the spindle support Caster does not affect tire wear
Caster
A shopping cart caster illustrates negative caster

Caster
A bicycle wheel represents positive caster

Purposes of Caster
Aid directional control Cause the wheels to return to the straight-ahead position Offset road crown pull (steering wheel pull caused by the hump in the center of the road)
Positive Caster
Tilts the top of the steering knuckle toward the rear of the vehicle Helps keep the wheels traveling in a straight line When the wheels are turned, it lifts the vehicle The vehicles weight tends to push the wheels back to the straight-ahead position
Positive Caster
Most common on vehicles with power steering

Negative Caster
Tilts the top of the steering knuckle toward the front of the vehicle The wheels will be easier to turn The wheels will tend to swivel and follow imperfections in the road
Negative Caster
May be used on vehicles with manual steering, to ease steering effort

Caster Measurement
Measured in degrees, from true vertical

Caster-Road Crown Effect
Road crown is the normal slope toward the outer edge of the road surface
Caster-Road Crown Effect

Road crown causes the weight of the vehicle to pull it away from the center of the road Caster is commonly used to offset the effect of road crown The right front wheel may be set with slightly more positive caster than the left
the vehicle pulls toward the side with the most negative caster
Inward or outward tilt of the wheel and tire assembly when viewed from the front of the vehicle Controls whether the tire tread touches the road surface evenly Camber affects tire wear
Purposes of Camber
Prevent tire wear on the outer or the inner tread To load the larger inner wheel bearing To aid steering by placing the vehicles weight on the inner end of the spindle
Positive and Negative Camber

Positive camber
the tops of the wheels tilt outward when viewed from the front most manufacturers specify a positive setting of about 1/4 to 1/2
Negative camber
the tops of the wheels tilt inward when viewed from the front
Positive and Negative Camber
Camber Measurement
Measured in degrees, from true vertical

Difference in distance between the front and rear of the left- and right-hand wheels Measured in inches or millimeters Controls whether the wheels roll in the direction of travel Toe affects tire wear
Toe
Toe-in: wheels are closer at the front than at the rear
Toe-out: wheels are farther apart at the front than at the rear
Rear-Wheel Drive Toe Settings

Rolling resistance and steering system play tend to cause toe-out when driving Toe-in compensates for these factors By adjusting the front wheels for a slight toe-in, the wheels and tires roll straight ahead when driving Typical setting:
1/16"1/4" (1.6 mm6 mm)
Front-Wheel Drive Toe Settings

The front wheels are pushed forward by engine torque, causing the wheels and tires to toe-in To compensate for this action, frontwheel-drive vehicles normally have the front wheels adjusted for a slight toeout Typical setting:
1/16" (1.6 mm)
The angle, away from the vertical, formed by the inward tilt of the steering axis (ball joints, king pin, or MacPherson strut tube) Aids directional stability by helping the steering wheel return to the straightahead position Does not affect tire wear
Steering Axis Inclination
If the angle is incorrect, part replacement is needed

Amount the front wheels toe-out when turning corners As the vehicle corners, the inside tire must travel in a smaller radius circle than the outside tire The inside wheel turns sharper than the outside wheel
Toe-out on Turns
Toe-out on Turns
Eliminates tire scrubbing and squealing by keeping the tires rolling in the right direction during turns Not an adjustable angle If the angle is incorrect, it indicates bent or damaged steering parts
Position or direction of the two front wheels in relation to the two rear wheels With the proper tracking, the rear tires follow in the tracks of the front tires With improper tracking, the rear tires do not follow the tracks of the front tires
increased tire wear, lower fuel economy and handling problems can result
Tracking
Before attempting wheel alignment, make sure all steering-related and suspension-related parts are in good condition It is impossible to properly align the wheels on a vehicle with worn or damaged parts
Prealignment Inspection Points

Check for the following:
loose wheel bearings wheel or tire runout worn tires tires of different sizes and types incorrect tire inflation worn steering or suspension components incorrect curb height and weight incorrect cradle adjustment
Reading Tire Wear
Cradle Alignment
The cradle is the strong metal structure bolted to the frame rails on the body
holds the lower control arms, steering rack, and engine in alignment in the body
Loosening and moving the cradle can alter alignment Alignment holes may be provided in the cradle and body to assure proper alignment
Caster, camber, and toe are the three commonly adjustable wheel alignment angles
Caster/ Camber Adjustment
Caster/Camber Adjustment
Toe Adjustment
Changing the tie-rod length on a rack-and-pinion unit
Toe Adjustment
Changing the tie-rod length on linkage-type steering

Centering Steering Wheel
Adjusting Rear Wheel Alignment

Some vehicles have provisions for rear wheel alignment Rear wheel alignment problems can occur due to component wear or damage Procedures for rear wheel adjustment vary
Adjusting Rear Wheel Alignment

On this axle, shim placement changes alignment angles
Various equipment and special tools are needed The most basic equipment includes the turning radius gauge, the castercamber gauge, and the tram gauge Alignment racks integrate the functions of all these gauges in one machine
Wheel Alignment Tools
Wheel Alignment Tools

A. Steering wheel lock B. Brake pedal depressor
Turning Radius Gauges

Measure how many degrees the front wheels are turned right or left Commonly used when measuring caster, camber, and toe-out on turns The gauges may be portable or mounted on the alignment rack
Using Turning Radius Gauges

Center the front wheels of the vehicle on the turning radius gauges Pull out the locking pins so the gauge and tire turn together The pointer on the gauge will indicate how many degrees the wheels have been turned
Checking Toe-out on Turns

Center the front wheels of the vehicle on the turning radius gauges Turn one of the front wheels until the gauge reads 20 Read the number of degrees showing on the other gauge Check both the right and left sides
both sides must be within specs
Caster-Camber Gauges
Used with the turning radius gauge to measure caster and camber in degrees Secured on the wheel hub magnetically or fastened on the wheel rim Caster and camber are adjusted together since one adjustment may affect the other
Caster-Camber Gauge Mounting
Tram Gauges
Used to compare the distance between the front and rear of a vehicles tires for checking toe adjustment
The alignment machine consists of a rack, console, and related parts Rack
consists of a lift, turning radius gauges, and equipment for measuring alignment angles
Console
consists of a color monitor, keypad, and computer
Alignment Machine
Console
This console provides training, instructions, specifications, and feedback when doing wheel alignment
Software
Alignment equipment software contains computer instructions, equipment operating instructions, and alignment specifications When installed in the computer, the software will help you adjust all alignment angles quickly and easily Usually stored on a CD-ROM
Alignment Heads
Mount on the the vehicles wheels Brackets are used for mounting the alignment heads on the wheels Use lasers or proximity sensors to compare the alignment of each wheel Used to check caster, camber, and toe
Alignment Head
Using Alignment Equipment

Always follow the operating instructions provided by the manufacturer Drive the vehicle up on the lift Carefully center the front tires on the turning radius gauges Block the rear wheels Mount the alignment heads on the wheels

Turn on the alignment console Follow the computer prompts After you identify the vehicle, the computer will retrieve stored data about performing an alignment on the vehicle As you make adjustments, the equipment will monitor the changes in the alignment angles

This technician is using a four-wheel alignment machine with a color monitor
This monitor is displaying alignment angles with instructions for adjustment

Always road test the vehicle to check your work Drive on level pavement Check the steering wheel alignment Feel for steering wheel pull Check for other problems, such as noise or vibration

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by

The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

A shopping cart caster illustrates negative caster

A bicycle wheel represents positive caster

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Most common on vehicles with power steering

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

May be used on vehicles with manual steering, to ease steering effort

Measured in degrees, from true vertical

Caster-Road Crown Effect

Caster-Road Crown Effect

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Positive and Negative Camber

Positive and Negative Camber

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Measured in degrees, from true vertical

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Rear-Wheel Drive Toe Settings

Front-Wheel Drive Toe Settings

Steering Axis Inclination

If the angle is incorrect, part replacement is needed

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Prealignment Inspection Points

Reading Tire Wear

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Caster/ Camber Adjustment

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only

Changing the tie-rod length on a rack-and-pinion unit