Understanding the Three Common Wheel Alignment Angles
Wheel alignment refers to the adjusting of the tire angle to match manufacturers' specifications. In theory, all wheels should be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road. Tire alignment helps improve your handling as the wheels grip the road better afterwards. If you notice that your truck has uneven tread wear, veers to the left or right while driving, or has a vibrating steering wheel, it's high time you consider tire alignment. The three main elements that your mechanic will mostly be concerned about are the caster, camber and toe measurements. Here's what you need to know about these elements of truck wheel alignment.
Caster Angle
The caster angle refers to the positioning of the front suspension in reference to the centreline. A tilt towards the driver is positive, while a front tilt is negative. An appropriately measured caster angle helps in keeping your truck on a straight course while driving and in returnability when negotiating a corner. The caster angle cannot be noticed by the naked eye and requires special equipment to measure. Most vehicles come with a positive caster to help with steering and vehicle stability. Ensure that your caster angle gets checked out if you notice any veering to the side while driving or hopping over bumps.
Camber Angle
The camber angle refers to the outward or inward angling of your truck tires when viewed from the front. If the top of the tire tilts inwards, then the truck has a negative camber, while an outward tilt is referred to as positive camber. Camber misalignment can be caused by a number of issues but is mostly attributed to worn out bearings or joints. Positive camber results in uneven tire wear on the outside, while negative camber results in premature wear on the inside. It's important to note, however, that some vehicles come with a neutral or slightly negative camber to aid in stability and increase handling.
Toe Angle
A bit different from camber alignment, toe angle refers to the tilt inwards or outside when looking from an aerial view. This is the most common alignment procedure, and its purpose is to ensure that your truck's wheels are parallel to each other. Having too much toe either inside or outside results in premature tire wear and instability at high speeds, which are the best tip-off to needing wheel alignment.
It's imperative that you conduct periodic wheel alignments on your truck to increase the lifespan of your tires, ensure proper handling, and catch suspension damage and other problems early. Most manufacturers recommend wheel alignment every six months or 10,000 kilometres — whichever comes first.
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