Wheel alignment
Wheel alignment has a significant effect on vehicle stability, tire wear and fuel consumption. There are the following wheel alignment angles:
Camber is the tilt of the wheel in a vertical plane relative to the center line of the car. It can be positive if the wheels are tilted outward or negative if the wheels are tilted inward. The camber angle mainly affects the uniformity of front tire wear. If the camber of one wheel is positive and the other is negative, then the car will pull to the side when driving in a straight line.
Convergence - the lateral distance between the wheels. Positive toe means the wheels are closer together at the front than at the rear when measured at wheel midpoint height. Negative toe means that the wheels are further apart at the front than at the rear.
The lateral inclination of the axis of rotation of the wheel is the angle between the axis of inclination of the steering knuckle and the vertical drawn through the wheel attachment point, looking in the longitudinal direction of the car.
Due to the camber angles and the transverse inclination of the axis of rotation, the points of contact of the wheels with the road are located closer to the axis of the steering knuckle. This supports the so-called "running shoulder", the easier it is to drive. Also, bumps from uneven surfaces are less transmitted to the steering.
Wheel pitch angle. The axis about which the wheel turns is placed in space so that its lower part is directed forward. Such an angle of longitudinal inclination is called positive. With a positive value of the angle, the self-return of the wheel to the middle position after the turn is improved.
Conditions for checking wheel alignment
Checking the vehicle's installation angles requires an inspection ditch or a special measuring hoist. When performing a measurement, the following conditions must be met:
- The air pressure in the tires is correct.
- The front wheels are set straight.
- The car is not loaded, the fuel tank is full.
- The suspension of the car is strongly compressed.
- Steering adjusted.
- The clearances in the coupling of the steering rods are within the permissible
- The gaps in the suspension mate are within the allowable
- The tread depth of tires on the same axle is the same.
Wheel alignment values are given in Specifications.
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