07-12
3. WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Wheel alignment (adjustment of Camber, Caster and Toe) is part of standard automobile maintenance
that consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the specification. The purpose
of these adjustments is to reduce tire wear, and to ensure that vehicle travel is straight and true (without
"pulling" to one side). Alignment angles can also be altered beyond the specifications to obtain a specific
handling characteristic.
When viewed from the top, the distance between the tire centers is smaller in the front than in
the rear. ▶
Side slip protection
Parallel front wheels rotation (straight ahead driving is ensured by toe-in to prevent the wheels from tilting
outwards by the camber while driving)
Prevention of uneven (outward) tire wear Prevention of toe-out from wearing of steering linkage -
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1) Toe-in
The difference of measured distances between the front ends of the tires (A) and the rear ends of the
tires (B) along the same axle when viewed the wheels from the top.
Toe-inFront0.˚±0.10˚
Rear0.48˚±0.15˚
Necessity for Wheel Alignment ▶
Wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the
ground and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments is maximum tire life and a vehicle
that tracks straight and true when driving along a straight and level road.
The symptoms of a vehicle that is out of alignment are:
Uneven or rapid tire wear
Pulling or drifting away from a straight line
Wandering on a straight level road
Spokes of the steering wheel off to one side while driving on a straight and level road.
