The Basics Of Wheel Alignment

By Will Paul

Have you ever wondered why your vehicle seems to pull to one side? Or, do the treads on the right always wear out before those on the left? Does your gas mileage decline year after year even though your engine, fuel injectors, and sensors are in top-notch shape? The culprit may be your wheel alignment. Unlike a malfunctioning alternator or failing transmission, this problem happens gradually over thousands of miles. That makes it difficult to identify.

If left unchecked, an alignment problem can cause issues with your vehicle's steering response, fuel efficiency, and overall drivability. I'll explain the factors involved below and describe how caster, camber, and toe each play a role in aligning your wheels.

Caster Explained

Caster is a measurement that reflects the tilt of the steering axis. If the steering axis tilts forward and positions itself ahead of the tire (from a side view), the caster is considered negative. If the steering axis tilts backward, it is considered positive.

Caster does not influence the wear of your treads - but, it does influence handling. The more positive it is, the "heavier" your steering control will feel. This is especially true when your vehicle is moving slowly. If one tire's caster is more positive than the other, the misalignment will cause a pull.

Camber Explained

Camber reflects the degree to which the top of a wheel tilt inward (toward the center of your car) or outward when looking at it from the front. An outward tilt is considered positive while an inward tilt is considered negative.

Camber affects tread wear. If it is too positive, the excess wear will occur on the outside portion of the tire. If the camber is too negative, the wear will occur on the inside. A misalignment will cause a pull toward the most positive camber.

Aligning The Toe

The toe of your wheels measures the amount they turn inward (again, toward the center of your car) or outward when looking at them head on. If they turn inward, the toe is considered positive. If they turn outward, it is considered negative.

Ideally, the toe will aligned as close to neutral (that is, neither positive or negative) as possible. If the toe of your tires is not aligned properly, your treads will wear down faster than normal and you'll experience a lack of stability when steering.

Enjoying Improved Drivability

Caster, camber, and toe are the basic components that affect the alignment of your vehicle's wheels. If they are severely misaligned, they can have a significant influence on your ability to steer effectively. They can cause excess tread wear as well as wear and tear on your suspension. Have the alignment checked annually to protect your car's tires, suspension, and drivability. - 21396

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