Alignment Fundamentals Part One

Suspension Systems
Designed to:
provide satisfactory vehicle control acceptable driver effort

Maintains directional stability:

on various road surfaces all types of weather loaded and unloaded towing

Road Variables
Road Crown Bumps & Pot Holes Crosswinds & Cross winds created by other vehicles Road surfaces Side forces Drive axle forces Suspension part movement

Rear Wheel Alignment & Vehicle Tracking

Thrust Line Imaginary line @ 90 degree angle to the centerline of the rear wheels Rear Wheel Offset axle asm out of position, not parallel to centerline

Improper Thrust Angle

Wheel Base
The distance between the center of the front & rear wheels

Tracking
Position of the rear wheels in relationship to the front

Ride Height
The distance between the frame & the ground. If distance varied over between sides, handling can be affected.

 Inward/outward tilt of wheel from true vertical. Vehicle will pull to side most positive. Affects tire wear.

Camber Fundamentals

Camber Fundamentals
Negative Camber Positive Camber

Jounce & Rebound

Jounce - Upward wheel movement Rebound Downward wheel movement

Caster Fundamentals
Tilt of a line that intersects the lower and upper ball joints (strut mount) in relation to true vertical

Caster Fundamentals

Positive Caster
Helps return to straight ahead position Increases steering effort, the wheels try to stay straight Pos caster helps maintain directional stability Too much affects steering, rapid wheel return Pulls to side with the most pos caster.

Negative Caster
Decreases directional stability Reduces steering effort

Tire Wear
Caster has effect on tire wear