| Wheel Alignment |
|
|
| Definition:
Forward or backward tilt of king pin or
spindle support arm at the top.
Measured in degrees positive or negative. |
Influence
on Vehicle Handling:
Too little causes high-speed instability
and
poor directional stability such as wandering.
Too much causes hard steering, excessive
road shock, and shimmy through the steering wheel. |
Influence
on Tire Wear:
Usually not a factor in tire wear. |
|
|
| Definition:
Inward or outward tilt of
wheel at the top.
Outward is positive, inward is negative.
Measured in degrees
positive or negative. |
Influence
on Vehicle Handling:
Excessive camber
(negative or positive) will cause vehicle to pull to the side with
greatest variance.
|
Influence
on Tire Wear:

|
|
|
| Definition:
Amount that front of
wheels is closer together than rear of wheels. For radial tires,
toe should be as close to "0" as possible when vehicle is
running.
Measured in inches. |
Influence
on Vehicle Handling:
May cause vehicle to
track improperly and
steering wheel to be off centered.
|
Influence
on Tire Wear:
|
TOE-IN TIRE WEAR

Feather Edge
Pointed In |
TOE-OUT TIRE WEAR

Feather Edge
Pointed Out |
|
Incorrect toe
will cause a feather-edge
wear pattern across the tire tread that
can be felt as you slice your hand
across the tread. |
|
|
|
| Definition:
Inward tile of spindle
support arm
or king pin at the top.
Directional control angle
measured in degrees that spindle support center line
is tilted from true vertical. |
Influence
on Vehicle Handling:
Non-adjustable angle
that, with camber, controls "scrub radius" to minimize
effects of road bumps on steering. |
Influence
on Tire Wear:
Rapid tire wear can
result from mounting new wheels with different offset that may increase
scrub radius by moving tire footprint outside projected pivot
point. |
|
|
| Definition:
Amount that front wheels
tow out during turns. Ideal angle reduces tire scrubbing.
Measured in degrees.
|
Influence
on Vehicle Handling:
Does not influence
vehicle handling qualities.
|
Influence
on Tire Wear:

|