Wheel alignment
On AUDI 80 cars, the front wheels are mounted so that they are closer together in their front than in the rear. Such convergence is called positive. The frictional force between the wheel and the road surface tends to push the left wheel to the left and the right wheel to the right. This is counteracted by the driving force from the engine to the front drive wheels. The driving force applied to the wheels tends to bring them together. The result is a balancing of opposing forces. When making a turn, the positive convergence of the wheels turns into a negative one, due to the trapezoidal shape of the steering rods. A wheel on the inside radius of the turn is squeezed out to the side more than one on the outside.
Camber
The camber is called the angle of deviation of the wheel plane vertically. Front wheels of AUDI 80 cars in their upper part (in the wheel arch) are separated from each other at a smaller distance than the lower one, which is in contact with the roadway. Experts call this negative camber.
Kingpin transverse tilt
The transverse inclination of the kingpin refers to the concept «Camber». The transverse inclination of the kingpin is a slight inclination of the axis of the steering knuckle relative to its vertical. Camber and kingpin lateral inclination prevent wheel vibration. In addition, they make it easier to turn the wheels.
Longitudinal inclination of the kingpin
The longitudinal inclination of the kingpin is understood as the displacement of the axis of the steering knuckle from the vertical from the direction of movement. An appropriate caster angle stabilizes the straight-line steering, makes it easier to return the steering gear to the center position after a turn, and also prevents wheel vibration.
We recommend adjusting the camber and toe-in only on a special stand. In this case, the tire pressure must correspond to the prescribed one, the car must be unloaded, the suspension dampers must be in good condition, and the suspension and steering mechanism must not have any play.
A camber and toe-in test should be performed in the event of a collision (collision) on the curb, with one-sided abrasion of the tire tread, as well as in other cases that suggest incorrect installation of the wheels. These are:
- the impossibility of a symmetrical arrangement of the steering wheel when driving in a straight line;
- pulling the car to the side;
- refusal of the steering mechanism to return to the middle position after making a turn;
- deformation of the wheel disk.
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