Understanding Automotive Alignment Angles

What is the term for the inward or outward tilt of a vehicle’s wheels when viewed from the front of the vehicle?

• Caster angle

• Camber angle

• Toe angle

• Thrust angle

Which alignment angle refers to the forward or backward tilt of the steering axis as viewed from the side of the vehicle?

• Camber angle

• Caster angle

• Toe angle

• Thrust angle

What is the primary effect of excessive toe-in on tire wear?

• Center wear

• Edge wear

• Feathered wear

• No effect

Which alignment angle is measured as the difference in distance between the front and rear of the tires on the same axle?

• Camber angle

• Caster angle

• Toe angle

• Thrust angle

A vehicle pulls to the right while driving on a straight, level road. Which misalignment is most likely the cause?

• Excessive positive camber on the right wheel

• Excessive negative camber on the left wheel

• Excessive positive caster on the left wheel

• Excessive toe-out on both wheels

If a vehicle’s camber angle is set too negative on both front wheels, what is the most likely effect on tire wear?

• Increased wear on the inside edges of the tires

• Increased wear on the outside edges of the tires

• Even tire wear

• No effect on tire wear

A technician measures the caster angle and finds it to be negative on both front wheels. What handling characteristic might the driver notice?

• Improved straight-line stability

• Increased steering effort

• Tendency for the steering to return to center

• Reduced straight-line stability

A car exhibits uneven tire wear and the steering wheel is off-center when driving straight. Which combination of misalignments is most likely present?

• Incorrect camber and caster

• Incorrect toe and camber

• Incorrect caster and thrust angle

• Incorrect toe and thrust angle

A customer complains that their vehicle drifts to the left after hitting a pothole. As a technician, outline the steps you would take to diagnose and correct the alignment issue, considering all three primary alignment angles.

• Check and adjust only the camber angle

• Check and adjust only the toe angle

• Inspect all alignment angles (camber, caster, toe), identify which are out of specification, and adjust them to manufacturer’s specifications

• Replace all four tires

A vehicle has excessive positive camber on the left front wheel and excessive negative camber on the right front wheel. Predict and explain the likely effects on vehicle handling and tire wear.

• The vehicle will pull to the right and both tires will wear evenly

• The vehicle will pull to the left and both tires will wear on the inside edges

• The vehicle will pull to the right and the left tire will wear on the outside edge while the right tire will wear on the inside edge

• The vehicle will not pull and tire wear will be unaffected