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Knowledge To Maintain And Repair Your Car

Why do we need a wheel alignment?

In sure safe handling and steering of vehical and prolong life of your tires.

Prior to alignment please have the front end of car or truck checked out. A technician who knows what hes doing can refuse to align car if front parts are needed.

Lets discuss alignment basics

You have 3 measurements in which your vehical is aligned by.

 

A. Caster:This is measurement from the upper ball joint or control arm related to the lower ball joint or control arm. Which your looking back to front of car sort of speak. Upper ball joints is usually farther back from the lower control arm making it positive caster. Think of it as front of a bicycle the front forks handle bars are the upper ball joints and the front wheel is the lower balljoint. Picture that kinda like that.This is not a tire wearing angle if out of spec but can cause pull problems. Usually 1.0 degree difference the left and right side it can pull or drift to the lower caster angle.

 

B. Camber: This is the angle of the tire sitting on the ground inside out. When your looking at front of the car does the tire on the car sit like the top of the tire is facing in or facing out. These are the camber angles when top of the tire is facing in its called negative camber. When facing out positive camber. Ok this angle is can cause tire wear if too negative and positive. Also cause pull problems if camber angles between the two front tires are to wide. Usually only need 1/2 of a degree or .5 to get a pull or drift problem. Not always they will but it can happen.

 

C.Toe: This angle is the inside and out of the front of the tire which is the main cause of tire wear also crooked steering wheels. You adjust the outer tierod ends to adjust this measurement. Critical this measurement is fixed in order to maintain tire life and straight steering wheel.

 

Most cars you can adjust camber and toe some even caster. More and more newer cars limit the adjustments of caster and camber resulting in needing aftermarket shims and cams to fix. Ask repair shop if they can get them or not. If this happens to be your situtation. Remember doesnt take much to knock out your alignment. Alot of tire stores offer free alignment checks. Hit a curb slightly or big pothole can knock it out.

Common misconception is vibration when driving is most likely not cause of alignment. Take note:

 

Please check repair manual for more specific information