Toe Description

Toe is the measurement of how much the front tires and wheels are turned in or out (5) from a straight-ahead position (4). When the tires and the wheels are turned in, toe is positive (+). When the tires and the wheels are turned out, toe is negative (-). the actual amount of toe is normally only a fraction of a degree. The purpose of toe is to ensure that the tires and the wheels roil parallel by compensating the slight tolerances or play that exist within the suspension components.





Total toe can also be measured and is the relationship or difference between the front toe dimension (1) and the rear toe dimension (2). Total toe indicates the tire to tire relationship, but does not give any indications as to the tires relationship to the vehicle centerline. Toe also serves to offset the small deflections of the tire and the wheel support system which occur when the vehicle is rolling forward. In other words, even when the tires and the wheels are set to toe in or slightly when the vehicle is standing stilt, they tend to roll parallel on the road when the vehicle is moving. Toe affects tire wear.