What is Wheel Camber?
1 Answers
Wheel camber refers to the angle of inclination of the wheel's actual centerline relative to the ideal vertical line, either inward or outward. If the wheel tilts outward, the camber angle is positive. If the wheel tilts inward, the camber angle is negative. The ideal wheel camber angle is zero degrees. During actual vehicle operation, the camber angle needs to be adjusted to compensate for the effects of various loads and road conditions on the wheel's inclination. Generally, the wheel camber is positive and approaches zero after loading. More details are as follows: 1. Principle of Operation: Its purpose is to enhance the safety of the wheels during operation. Due to assembly clearances between the kingpin and bushings, as well as between the hub and bearings, these gaps affect the normal functioning of the wheels to varying degrees. When the wheel has a certain positive camber, the centerline of the tire intersects the ground at point A, while the kingpin axis intersects the road surface at point B. The distance between these two points is called the offset. Since the wheel turns around the center and radius of the kingpin axis, a large torque is generated around the kingpin due to the rolling resistance of the tire, increasing the steering force. The larger the offset, the greater the torque. A positive camber angle can reduce the offset, thereby decreasing the steering force. Additionally, when the wheel has positive camber, a component force is applied to the spindle under vertical load, pressing the wheel inward against the bearing to prevent the wheel from coming loose. 2. When the wheel camber angle does not meet requirements, the adverse consequences include: accelerated wear of the ball joints and wheel bearings (negative camber increases wear on the inner bearing; positive camber increases wear on the outer bearing). If the camber angle is too large or unequal on both sides, it can also cause the vehicle to pull toward the side with the larger positive camber.
