4 Wheel Alignments
Alignment is one of our specialties. Below, we have described and illustrated the most common measurements that are involved in performing a wheel alignment. These descriptions should help clarify some common technical terms that are used to describe vehicle alignments. The most obvious indications of a vehicle needing alignment are uneven tire wear, premature tire wear and steering problems. Reduced fuel mileage is a less obvious but real symptom that is costly over time.
Toe and Steering Center
Toe is an alignment setting that adjusts the distances illustrated below. When DISTANCE A is equal to DISTANCE B, the wheels are aligned parallel to each other. At first glance, someone might say that a perfect toe adjustment is when these two distances are exactly equal. Generally this is true. To be exact, manufacturers define toe settings based on how the vehicle acts at highway speed. The toe setting that we make takes this calculation into consideration. This means that your toe setting is made for when you are moving not standing still. Another part of the toe adjustment is the Steering Center. The steering wheel is locked into the correct center position while adjusting toe. The result of this is a straight steering wheel when the vehicle is traveling down the road.Toe is a very important alignment adjustment. An incorrect toe setting will greatly reduce your tire life. We say the toe is set "in" when DISTANCE A is less than DISTANCE B. Alternatively, we say the toe is set "out" when DISTANCE A is greater than DISTANCE B. In both cases the tires will suffer premature wear and tire replacement will become a common necessity. Another consideration is the extra power that is needed to push the vehicle down the road. The bottom line on toe is that it will eat tires and fuel. Not a cheap combination.
Camber
Camber is a measurement taken to determine the angle of the wheel in relationship to the road surface. Like toe, camber settings are defined by how the vehicle acts at highway speed. To visualize the camber measurement, see the illustration. Zero degrees camber means that the wheel is exactly perpendicular to the road surface. Extreme positive camber would appear as the top of either wheel leaning outward. Extreme negative camber would appear as the top of either wheel leaning inward. A camber setting that is too far in either direction will wear out the tire tread on the part of the tire that is carrying the most weight. For negative camber, it is the inward tread of the tire that wears. For positive camber, it is the outward tread of the tire that wears.
Caster
Caster is a measurement taken to determine the angle of the vehicle's steering pivot. When the steering wheel is turned left or right, it is pivoting through a range of motion provided by the ball joints or king pins. Our alignment equipment measures the angle of this invisible pivot axis in relationship to vertical. A zero degree caster measurement indicates that the pivot axis is perpendicular to the road surface. A positive caster measurement indicates that the top of the pivot axis is tilted toward the rear of the vehicle. A negative caster measurement indicates that the top of the pivot axis is tilted toward the front of the vehicle.Caster has the least effect on tire wear. A vehicle needing caster adjustments is often described by the floating or drifting effect caused by having a negative caster measurement.
Alignments Summarized
The above terms and descriptions are the most common that you will encounter when discussing alignment with your technician. At Enhanced Performance, we take great interest in the concepts and engineering behind the many vehicles that are on the road. Suspension and alignment work is one of our specialties and we take great pride in our results. It is an area of automobile service where even the smallest of adjustments can make a vast improvement to the driving experience.- Alignment Specialists
- 4 Wheel Computer Alignments
- 4 Wheel Thrust Alignments
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7078 Route 215
Girard, PA 16417
Fax: 814-922-7889
Email: enpi7721@aol.com
