What are the four alignments?
2 Answers
The four front wheel alignments include caster angle, kingpin inclination angle, camber angle, and toe-in. Below are the specific details of wheel alignment: 1. Function of wheel alignment: Wheel alignment ensures that the tires and the vehicle body maintain the optimal angle, reducing wear between the tires and steering components during driving, ensuring a tight connection between the tires and the ground, and allowing the vehicle to maintain stable straight-line driving. 2. Precautions for tire repair: Tire repair does not require wheel alignment, only wheel balancing is needed. Performing wheel alignment after tire repair can easily disrupt the balance of the vehicle's suspension.
The four alignments typically refer to the four key parameters of a car's wheel alignment, including toe, camber, caster, and thrust angle. Toe is the angle at which the wheels point inward or outward, directly affecting tire wear. If incorrect, you may feel the steering wheel is off-center or experience uneven tire wear. Camber is the degree of vertical tilt of the wheels. Improper settings can lead to loss of control during turns or accelerated wear on the inner tire edges—I once experienced noticeable side-slipping on a highway curve, which scared me into rushing to a repair shop for adjustment. Caster relates to steering stability, influencing straight-line driving at high speeds. Too much caster makes steering heavier, while too little causes the car to feel floaty. The thrust angle ensures the rear wheels align with the front wheels; a significant misalignment can cause the car body to skew. Regular alignment checks are crucial, especially after installing new tires or a collision. Performing one roughly every 20,000 kilometers can extend tire life and improve safety. I learned this the hard way—delaying alignment once led to my tires wearing out in just six months, wasting money unnecessarily.
