What is wheel alignment in vehicles?
The arrangement of wheels angles to ground for proper performance.
List the five wheel alignment factors mentioned.
Camber, Caster, Steering axis inclination, Toe, Turning radius
What problem arises from excessive positive camber wear pattern?
Wears tires more on the outside edge
What is negative camber and why is it used in modern cars?
Tires tilt inward; improves cornering.
What happens to camber thrust during cornering with negative camber?
Camber thrust to inside is reduced, maintaining cornering force.
Define camber thrust.
Lateral force generated by camber when loaded, directed inside or outside.
What is the effect of increasing camber during cornering in terms of steering?
Increases inside tire contact patch, affecting grip.
What is zero camber and why is it adopted?
Camber neither positive nor negative; reduces uneven tire wear.
Name three reasons positive camber is used with zero camber in mind.
Reduces vertical load, prevents wheel slip-off, reduces steering effort
What is caster and how is it measured?
Forward/backward tilt of steering axis; measured in degrees from vertical
What is caster trail?
Distance from steering axis ground intersection to tire contact center
How does caster affect straight-line stability?
Caster angle creates recovery force to return to straight ahead
What does excessive positive caster do to steering feel?
Improves straight-line stability but makes turning harder
What is the purpose of steering axis inclination (SAI)?
Reduces steering effort and helps self-centering of wheels
What is offset (kingpin offset or scrub radius)?
Horizontal distance from steering axis ground intersection to wheel contact center
What happens when steering axis offset is large?
Larger moment around axis; more kickback
What is the significance of the scrub radius in steering?
Determines leverage of steering inputs on wheel due to offset
What causes kickback in steering?
Road shocks transmitted through offset and axis geometry
Why is toe angle important for straight-line stability?
Toe-in helps counter camber thrust and stabilize straight travel
What is toe-in and toe-out?
Toe-in: front of wheels closer; toe-out: front farther apart
What does excessive toe-in cause?
Uneven tire wear due to side-slip force
What does toe-out affect in handling?
Stability and straight-line tracking
What governs turning radius in wheel alignment?
Turning angles of left/right wheels to align centers during cornering
How can improper turning radius affect tires?
Causes inside/outside tire slip and uneven wear
