2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Alignment Order

[JRS]

When performing a front end alignment, what order do they adjust the Camber, Caster, Toe?

 

[jelag]

The toe is done last... . as you change either caster or camber on some vehicles you can change the other angle... . Think about it this way...



Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the king pin at the top... .

Caster is the forward or rearward tilt of the king pin at the top.....



Toe adjust for compression of the tie rods ends, and idler link ends when they are under pressure going down the road... so if the linkage is in front of the axle you set one way, if the linkage is behind the axle you set the other way... the pressure going down the road compresses the links and the tires go back to zero toe or straight ahead... .



The more positive caster, the more the wheel wants to come back straight when you turn it loose... like the front wheels on a shopping cart... . that angle of link is caster like the rake on the front forks of a motorcycle...



Camber is designed to keep the wheel as close to straight up and down as possible... I used to do a quick check of camber with a big level across the side if the tires... if the bubble was out much it needed camber adjustment... .



Camber and toe are tire wearing angles, caster is not...



Hope this helps. .

 

[Joe Mc]

Jim - That was great! In all the years (30+) I've been wrenching on things I never heard Caster, Camber, Toe explained so well. Cudos!

 

[JJanetka]

I'll second that. Thanks.

 

[WDaniels]

That was explained so well that I think that he knows what he is talking about. Perfect, I have a question now that I have an experts ear. :-laf

jelag, as you know the older 2nd gen's have a problem of pulling to the left and no one knows why that I can discern. I have heard that if you change the caster on the left wheel about 3 to 5 degrees more than the left wheel that it will cure the pulling to the left. Is this so? Will it cause some other problems? Like undue wear on some of the front end parts? Any help and education that you can impart would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Hobart]

My 02 pulls to the left and wears both inside and out side tire edges. The last alignment tried rotating the caster dial on the passenger side a little toward the front. I'm not sure if this increases or decreases the caster . And as I understand it the dials should be set equally? But in any case it still pulls left.

 

[jelag]

Guys, I'm driving an 05 that goes straight down the road... . two days ago I get on a road after 4 hours in the snow... and ice and the truck is pulling to the right... . I stopped 2 times, and check out the truck and the trailer I was towing... . I was sure there was something wrong... hanging brake, damage etc... when I got to a good road it cleared right up... . I don't remember seeing a big crown or slant in the lane I was in... at the time I didn't think to move to the other lane... . but it was the road... .



I learned alignment from an old man almost 40 years ago... . he drummed it in me about the relationship of the angles and he used to rub his hands across the front tires and make changes... . never looked at specifications... just the feel of the tires and the comments of the owner... I'm sure this is a lot of what racing guys do today at the tracks... BTW - I never got good enough to just feel the tires and make changes.....



I don't have a real answer for you... . I personally haven't touched a machine in 25 years but do have gauges that I use on my stuff... . on a level shop floor... . I'd offer the following... .



If you have close to 0 caster... or less than 1* your going to have a truck that wonders around the lane... . I'd look at adding caster to both wheels in an even amount to where the trucks goes straight.....



I'd also like to add... before you go and change this, please make sure that the front wheels roll smoothly... I've seen several trucks with heat damaged boots between the caliper and piston... . with dirt behind the piston to caliper fit... . which will allow that side to drag... . not much, but as it heats up it gets worse and can cause a pull... .



I also would like to thank you for your nice comments... I was just lucky enough to be working around the right guy for a while and he liked me... and wanted me to understand what was really going on..... on just set something to specifications...



Thanks again. .



Hobart... . I don't quite understand your comments but don't let anyone increase the camber... . it will change tire wear... its needs to stay as close to 0* as possible... also remember that some specifications call for camber when its on an alignment machine so that when its on the ground at speed the weight and front suspension moves it back to 0* except on turns... . On tight turns the wheels camber over so that the inside wheel on the turn can make a tighter radius.....



Jim

 

[Hobart]

Woops I ment caster which is between 4 + 5 . But the dial is rotated a little more to the front on the passenger's side.