subject: Wheel alignment [print this page] Wheel alignment Wheel alignment
Primary angles
The primary angles are the basic angle alignment of the wheels relative to each other and to the car body. These adjustments are the camber, caster and toe. On some cars, not all of these can be adjusted on every wheel.
These three parameters can be further categorized into front and rear, so summarily the parameters are:
Front: Caster (right& left)
Front: Camber (right & left)
Front: Toe (left, right & total)
Rear: Camber (left & right)
Rear: Toe (left, right & total)
Rear: Thrust angle
Secondary angles
The secondary angles include numerous other adjustments, such as:
SAI (left & right)
Included angle (left & right)
Toe out on turns (left & right)
Maximum Turns (left & right)
Toe curve change (left & right)
Track width difference
Wheel base difference
Front ride height (left & right)
Rear ride height (left & right)
Frame angle
Setback (front & rear) is often referred as a wheel alignment angle. However setback simply exists because of the measuring system and does not have any specification from car manufacturers.
Measurement
A camera unit (sometimes called a "head") is attached to a specially designed clamp which holds on to a wheel. There are usually four camera units in a wheel alignment system (a camera unit for each wheel). The camera units communicate their physical positioning with respect to other camera units to a central computer which calculates and displays how much the camber, toe and caster are misaligned.
Often with alignment equipment, these "heads" can be a large precision reflector. In this case, the alignment "tower" contains the cameras as well as arrays of LEDs. This system flashes one array of LEDs for each reflector whilst a camera centrally located in the LED array "looks for" an image of the reflectors patterned face. These cameras perform the same function as the other style of alignment equipment, yet alleviate numerous issues prone to relocating a heavy precision camera assembly on each vehicle serviced.
See also
Car handling
Car maintenance
Auto mechanic
Tire rotation
ASE
Hunter Engineering (Leading Manufacturer of Alignment Equipment)
External links
Bee Line Company Leading Manufacturer of Heavy Duty Alignment Equipment
