Wheel alignment is an important parameter in vehicle operation and has a significant effect on vehicle stability, tire wear and fuel consumption. There are the following wheel alignment angles:
Camber is the angle of the wheel in relation to the road surface in a vertical plane. It can be positive if the wheels are tilted outward or negative if the wheels are tilted inward. The camber angle mainly affects the lateral forces.
Toe-in is defined as half the difference in distance between the front and rear sides of the wheel rims. 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 convergence affects the straightness of the vehicle and its handling, and also compensates for the resulting kinematic changes in the geometry of the suspension under the action of the traction force.
Stabilization shoulder is the distance between the point of contact of the wheel and the point of intersection of the axis of rotation of the wheel with the road when viewed from the side. Determines the amount of the stabilizing moment and affects the directional stability and the forces in the steering when cornering.
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. Influences the power of control (steering sensitivity) along with other angles.
The angle of the longitudinal inclination of the axis of rotation. The axis about which the wheel turns is placed in space so that its lower part is tilted forward. With a positive value of the angle, the self-return of the wheel to the middle position after the turn is improved.
Wheel alignment must be checked and adjusted at a service station due to the complexity of the equipment used.
Visitor comments