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STEERING
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1.3.3.6. WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Wheel alignment is a procedure of aligning wheels
according to the specifications.
The purpose of these adjustments is to give
maximum tyre 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, tyre tread
wear and vehicle’s safety.
Warning signs of improper wheel alignment include
steering wheel shimmy, a constant steering pulls to
one side, tyre 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 tyres 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
(c) Vehicle handling characteristics
Precautions to be taken before commencing
wheel alignment:
1. Car should be unladen and parked on level
surface. All adjustments for wheel alignment are
to be done in UNLADEN CONDITION ONLY.
2. Front and rear tyres should be inflated to correct
pressure (As per below mentioned table).
Tyre Size
Front
Rear
215/60 R16 30 psi / 2.1 bar 30 psi / 2.1 bar
195/60 R16 32 psi / 2.2 bar 32 psi / 2.2 bar
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 tyres.
8. Bring the tyre in straight ahead position.
9. Lock the steering wheel in straight ahead
position with suitable fixture, so that it does not
disturb the tie rod location.
10.Check the camber and toe out, if not found
within the specification then adjust it as per the
specified values.
NOTE:
a) Please follow manufacturer’s (of tyre
replacement machine) manual for wheel
alignment instructions, recommendations and
any other additional information.
b) Camber & Toe-out value at front has to be
adjusted while doing wheel alignment. Rest of
the values remain fixed i.e. No adjustments are
required. Refer the given table for standard
values.