Measuring wheel alignment angles
Poor handling and vibrations are not always the result of improper wheel alignment. One of the possible reasons is the imbalance of wheels and tires. Another reason is related to wear or improper design of the tires used. Car drift is manifested by the car's deviation from straight-line movement on a straight section of a flat asphalt road, while in order to keep the car on a straight line, it is necessary to apply force to the steering wheel.
Before making any adjustments that affect wheel alignment, the following checks and adjustments must be made to obtain the correct suspension geometry values:
- Check tire pressure and for uneven tire wear.
- Check wheel and tire runout.
- Check for play in the wheel bearings.
- Check the ball joints for looseness or wear
- Check the tie rod ends for looseness or wear.
- Check the steering gear mount to the body for looseness.
- Check struts/shock absorbers for wear, leaks and noticeable noise.
- Check the steering wheel for increased resistance or poor return due to stiff or rusty suspension components.
- Check the fuel level. The fuel tank must be full or the vehicle must be loaded with compensating weight.
Additional loads, such as tool kits, a spare tire, etc., must also be taken into account. If this equipment is normally carried in the vehicle, it must be present during wheel alignment.
Wheel alignment equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
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Satisfactory vehicle operation can be ensured with a wider range of suspension settings, but to obtain optimal performance, the given values are still preferable (see section "Service data and specifications").
To measure the front and rear wheel alignment angles, you must do the following:
1. Install special equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Press the front and rear bumpers three times ("pump" the suspension).
3. Measure the wheel alignment angles and record the obtained values.
Note:
- It is recommended to record the wheel alignment angle values "Before" and "After" adjustment.
- When adjusting the alignment angles of all four wheels of a vehicle, it is recommended to first adjust the angles of the rear wheels, and then the front wheels.
4. If necessary, adjust the wheel alignment angles according to the specification (see section "Service data and specifications").