Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Front




The wheel alignment must be correct to achieve satisfactory steering characteristics and to minimize tire wear. The alignment settings include caster (axle inclination), camber (wheel inclination), Ackermann angle (toe-out on turns), kingpin inclination and toe-in/toe out.

NOTE: All settings must be measured with the car unladen.

Since the following defects may affect the wheel alignment, they must be rectified, if necessary, before measuring and/or adjusting the settings.
1. Different tire pressures.
2. Differences in tire wear.
3. Play in front wheel bearings.
4. Play in ball joints or control arm mountings.
5. Broken springs.
6. Damaged steering gear.
7. Play in tie rod (track rod) joints.
8. Damage to suspension strut upper mounting.
9. Unusual (temporary) equipment or load.