Alignment Fundamentals
This service involves measuring and correcting wheel and steering angles to improve vehicle handling and tire life.
Wheel alignment
Positive caster improves this vehicle characteristic when driving straight down the road.
directional stability
Excessive positive camber causes wear on this part of the tire.
outside shoulder
Incorrect toe settings can cause this expensive vehicle component to wear out prematurely.
Tires
This abbreviation stands for “toe-out on turns.
TOOT
Alignment angles should always be adjusted according to information supplied by this source.
vehicle manufacturer’s specifications
When the steering axis tilts rearward at the top, this caster condition exists.
Positive Caster
The top of the wheel is tilted outward from true vertical when this condition exists.
positive camber
When the fronts of the wheels are closer together than the rears, this condition exists.
Toe-in
During a turn, this wheel follows the smaller circular path.
Inside Wheel
This inspection must be completed before alignment measurements or adjustments are performed.
pre-alignment inspection
When the steering axis tilts forward at the top, this caster condition exists.
Negative Caster
The top of the wheel is tilted inward from true vertical when this condition exists.
negative camber
Alignment equipment normally displays toe-in using this mathematical sign.
Postitiv Sign
The inside wheel turns more sharply than this wheel when the vehicle corners.
Outside wheel
Caster belongs to this classification of alignment angles because it affects vehicle stability and steering.
directional-control angle
s positive caster increases, this steering characteristic normally becomes greater.
steering effort
When front camber is unequal, the vehicle tends to pull toward the side with this camber value.
most positive camber
When the front and rear distances between the wheels are equal, the vehicle has this toe condition.
This line represents the direction in which the rear wheels are pushing the vehicle.
thrust line
Toe belongs to this classification because an incorrect setting can quickly damage the tires.
tire-wearing angle
A vehicle affected by unequal caster normally pulls toward the side with this caster condition.
side with the least positive caster
This angle is calculated by combining the measured SAI and camber values.
included angle
If individual front toe measurements are unequal, the driver may notice this steering-wheel condition.
Off Center steering wheel
This angle is created when the thrust line does not match the vehicle’s geometric centreline.
Thrust Angle