General Description

General Description

Alignment is the proper positioning, or the state of adjustment, of parts in relation to each other. Maintain proper alignment of the front wheels in order to ensure efficient steering and satisfactory tire life. For details on tire wear patterns caused by alignment problems, refer to Abnormal or Excessive Tire Wear Testing and Inspection in Suspension General Diagnosis. The most important factors of wheel alignment are:

* Wheel toe-in
* Wheel camber
* Axle caster

King pin inclination and camber are designed into the axle end. Inspect the front wheel alignment at regular intervals, particularly after the front axle has been subjected to heavy impacts, such as a collision or a hard curb impact. Adjust the wheel bearings before checking the alignment. Loose wheel bearings will affect the instrument measurements when checking wheel toe-in, wheel camber, and axle caster.

When inspecting the alignment, follow the instructions outlined in this section. Follow the instructions in other sections that cover any of the following units:

* The brakes
* The springs
* The steering gear
* The hubs and bearings
* The tires and wheels