TIAGO

STEERING

7.3.3.6 WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Wheel alignment is a procedure of aligning

wheels according to the specifications.

The purpose of these adjustments is to give

maximum tire life and vehicle-travel that is straight

and true when driving along a straight and level

road. A correct wheel alignment is necessary

because it affects directional stability, tire tread

wear and vehicle’s safety.

Warning signs of improper wheel alignment

include steering wheel shimmy, a constant

steering pull to one side, tire squeal noises when

making turns, excessive vibration as speed

accelerates, and changes in direction after a car

has hit a bump on the road. If any of the above

symptoms are noticed, wheel alignment becomes

necessary.

Wheel alignment should be done at the time of

fitting new tires and thereafter at regular intervals.

Wheels which may be only a fraction out of

alignment can scrub or drag along the road

instead of rolling along it.

Normally overall wheel alignment refers to the

procedures used to check and adjust the steering

system, including the camber, caster, and toe.

Basically toe is a measurement of how much the

front and/or rear wheels are turned in or out from

a straight ahead position. When the wheels are

turned in, toe is positive (+). When the wheels are

turned out, toe is negative (-).

The purpose of toe is to ensure that the wheels

roll parallel. Toe also serves to offset the small

deflections of the wheel support system that occur

when the vehicle is rolling forward. In other words,

with the vehicle standing still and the wheels set

with toe-in, the wheels tend to roll parallel on the

road when the vehicle is moving.

Toe settings affect three major areas of

performance:

(a) Tyre wears

(b) Straight-line stability and

Following precautions are to be taken before

commencing wheel alignment:

1. Car should be unladen and parked on level

surface.

2. Front and rear tires should be inflated to

correct pressure (28 and 32 psi respectively)

3. Ensure that bushes in the front/rear

suspension are in satisfactory condition.

4. Ensure that front rear & suspension fasteners

are tightened to their specified torques.

5. Also ensure that there is no visible damage to

any of the suspension parts like lower link

bushes and struts.

6. Ensure that there is no play in steering

linkages and suspension ball joints.

7. Ensure no tyre wear on any wheels. If so

replace the respective tires.

For steering geometry adjustment (wheel

alignment) on vehicle – Refer Wheels & Tyres

section in Suspension chapter

Wheel lock angle (Outer)

31.96°

Wheel lock angle (Inner)

36.59°