Wheel alignment and steering angles

Proper front wheel alignment is essential for good vehicle handling and to prevent premature tire wear. Before proceeding to check the geometry of the steering and suspension systems, check the tire pressure, check that the front wheel rims are not warped, and check that the steering and suspension connections are in good condition, without excessive free play or wear.

Wheel alignment involves four factors:

The camber angle is the angle that the front wheels are off vertical when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Positive camber is the angle (in degrees), by which the top of the wheel is deflected outward from the vertical. Negative camber is the angle (in degrees), by which the top of the wheel is tilted inward from the vertical. Camber adjustment is done by adding or removing washers located between the upper suspension arm pivot and the body. The washers are mounted on the kingpin fixing bolts.

Kingpin pitch is the angle between the axis of the kingpin and the vertical line as viewed from the side of the vehicle. A positive kingpin tilt is when the top of the pivot pin is tilted back. The caster angle of the kingpin is adjusted in the same way as the camber angle, except that washers only need to be added or removed on the front or rear mounting bolt.

Kingpin lateral tilt – also known as kingpin lateral tilt – is the angle (when viewed from the front of the car) between the vertical and an imaginary line passing through the upper suspension strut mount and the ball joint of the lower suspension arm or through the centers of the kingpin bushings. This angle is not adjustable.

Toe-in is the amount by which the distance between the inner front edges of the front wheels (measured at hub height) different from the distance between the rear inner edges of the front wheels.

Since special optical equipment and precise instrumentation are required to measure small adjustment angles of the suspension and steering, checking and adjusting the camber angle, kingpin angle and toe-in must be entrusted to specialists with the necessary equipment.