Alignment

Question 1

Why are alignments necessary?

Answer 1

Ensure all four wheels track straight compared with chassis

Improper alignments result entire suspension components wearing out more rapidly

Question 2

What are three primary alignment angles?

Answer 2

Caster, Camber and Toe

Question 3

Which alignments impact stability

Answer 3

Caster & Camber

Question 4

Define steering axis?

Answer 4

Line between upper and lower pivot points as seen from the side of the vehicle

SLA: upper and lower ball joints
MacPherson: top of thrust plate to lower ball joint

Question 5

Define caster and describe its function.

Answer 5

Forward or reward tilt of steering axis as seen from side of vehicle

Provides directional stability 

Question 6

What does positive caster influence?

Answer 6

Increases the vehicle’s tendency to go straight. Helps the steering wheel return to neutral when turned

Question 7

How do you measure for caster?

Answer 7

Alignment machine provides calculation

Calculation made when turning tires from left to right and right to left

Question 8

What are average caster specifications?

Answer 8

+3° to +5°

Cross caster: 0.5°

Any cross caster greater than 0.5° = vehicle pull to the less stable side

Less stable = least amount of positive caster

Question 9

Define camber and explain its function

Answer 9

Inward/outward tilt of the top of the tire as viewed from the front of the vehicle

The angle of the wheel when viewed from the front of the vehicle

Camber provides cornering stability

Question 10

What camber alignment is more common

Answer 10

Negative camber, top of wheel is closer to fender

Too much negative camber, used for high-performance handling, has excessive pressure on the inside edge of the tire - wearing it out quicker

Question 11

Where is camber measured?

Answer 11

All four wheels. Live measurement from alignment machine.

Question 12

What is average specifications for front and rear camber?

Answer 12

Front specifications -0.5° to 0°

Rear specification -1° to -1.5°

Cross camber 0.5°

Question 13

What is a desired camber setting?

Answer 13

Equal values on the left and right side of the car

Question 14

Which side does the vehicle pull when the camber is incorrect?

Answer 14

Pulls to the less stable side - side with smaller negative camber

Question 15

What alignment setting wears the outside of the tire?

Answer 15

Positive camber

Positive toe (Toe - in)

Question 16

What what is road crown and how can it affect steering?

Answer 16

Road crown is designed for water to drain from the centre of the road to the curb

This slope can cause the vehicle to drift towards the curb,

ideally this can be compensated with caster within 0.5°

Question 17

Define toe alignment and describe its function 

Answer 17

Distance between the tires, front and rear

Tires pointing inward or outward view from top of vehicle

Positive toe, tires point inward when looking from above
Negative toe, tires point outward when looking from above

Question 18

What steering component adjusts toe position

Answer 18

Tie rod

Question 19

What is the average toe specification?

Answer 19

Close to zero

Question 20

What damage does toe misalignment cause?

Answer 20

Excessive tire wear known as, Tire feathering,

Tire surface is: smooth in one direction / Rough in the other direction

Question 21

What happens if one tire is out of toe alignment

Answer 21

The steering wheel will even out misalignment Ing all tires to wear

Question 22

What is negative toe and a result of this misalignment

Answer 22

Tires point outward, vehicle wanderers requiring constant steering adjustment

Question 24

What are three indicators of an out of adjustment toe alignment?

Answer 24

Steering wheel out of adjustment.

Excessive tire wear, feathering.

Drift to opposite side of thrust angle 

Question 25

What effects does an out of adjustment rear to alignment have

Answer 25

Skewed rear axle, dog tracking, affecting thrust angle. Adjustable through rear lower control arm

Question 26

What must be performed before starting any alignment?

Answer 26

Inspection of suspension and steering components

Question 27

What is a diagnostic angle?

Answer 27

Helps determine if a suspension, steering or frame component is damaged Diagnostic angles are not adjustable Diagnostic angles help verify collision damage is the cause for misalignment.

Question 28

What are 6 examples of diagnostic angles?

Answer 28

Steering axis inclination Included angle. Scrub radius. Tow out on turns Thrust angle. Set back

Question 29

What are three conditions of excessive positive caster

Answer 29

Heavy steering - more steering effort needed. Shimmy (rapid side-to-side wheel movement) Excessive road shock

Question 30

What are two conditions of negative caster

Answer 30

Instability at high speeds: speed wobble Wander and Weave: difficulty maintaining straight line driving - lots of inputs

Question 31

Define steering axis inclination

Answer 31

Steering axis inclination is the inward tilt of the steering axis at the top. This brings the point of contact more directly under the point of load, reducing steering effort It is a directional control angle.

Question 32

Describe the function of steering axle inclination

Answer 32

Performs a similar directional control function as caster SAI causes the ends of the spindle to drop relative to the frame, forcing the body to lift The weight of the vehicle resists the lifting of the body that’s keeping the spindles in the straight ahead position

Question 33

Define included angle

Answer 33

Included angle is a combination of steering axis inclination and camber

Question 34

What are essential steps in diagnosing bent steering components?

Answer 34

Determining the included angle by adding camber and SAI values

Question 35

The imaginary line drawn through the centre of the upper and lower ball joints on a conventional steering vehicle is known as the Steering axis Datum line Reference line Line of Caster

Answer 35

Steering axis

Question 36

Camber is measured by comparing the wheel angle to True vertical Caster Geometric centre line Thrust line

Answer 36

True vertical

Question 37

If the wheel on a vehicle leans inward at the top, the angle produced is called Positive camber Negative camber Positive caster Negative caster

Answer 37

Negative camber

Question 38

Uneven side to side camber may cause Tire wear Excessive body roll Hard steering The car to pull

Answer 38

The car to pull

Question 39

The inward tilt of the steering axis, viewed from the front, is called Negative camber Positive camber Negative SAI Steering axis inclination

Answer 39

Steering axis inclination

Question 40

When camber is 0°, SAI And included angle will be 0° also And included angle will be the same Will be positive Will be negative

Answer 40

And included angle will be the same

Question 41

Turning radius is determined by The amount of toe out on turns (toot) The steering axis How sharp the turn the car can make The angle of the steering arms

Answer 41

The angle of the steering arms

Question 42

Incorrect, turning radius may cause Tire squeal Tire wear Both a and B Neither a or B

Answer 42

Both a and B

Question 43

When measuring turning radius, if the inside wheel is turned in 20°, the side wheel should turn The same to avoid tire wear More Less Out 18.5°

Answer 43

Less

Question 44

The purpose of toe angle is to Maximize tire life Compensate for any deflection in the steering linkage Both a and B Neither a or B

Answer 44

Both a and B

Question 45

When the vehicle is in motion, ideally the toe setting should be The same front rear 0° Slightly in Slightly out

Answer 45

0°