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What is Wheel Alignment | Wheel alignment procedure:

What is Wheel Alignment :

The wheel alignment is the positioning of front wheels and steering mechanisms. It provides a good directional stability, easy steering, minimum tyre wear and good riding qualities to vehicles. Excessive tyre wear, vibration, hard steering, shimmy etc. are produced because of incorrect alignment of wheels.

The important factors are involved in wheel alignment as follows.
1. Castor
2. Camber
3. Toe-in
4. Toe-out
5. Kingpin inclination.

Wheel alignment procedure:

To ensure the proper wheel alignment, camber, caster, toe-in and kingpin inclination should properly be set. They must be kept within the specified limit according to the car manufacturer specification for easy and safe driving. The full weight of the car should be kept on the ground during adjusting these parameters within the specified limit.

The following checking, inspection and adjustment are carried out while doing the wheel alignment.

(1) Wheel bearing adjustment should be checked and correction should be carried out if it is required to keep the parameters within the specified limit.
(2) The kingpins and their bushing should be checked and thoroughly inspected for excessive play.
(3) Spring should be checked tor breaks or sags.
(4) Bending of the steering arms should be checked. Due to incorrect toe-out on turning it results the wearing of tyres.
(5) Factors such as frame alignment, spring conditions, position of the rear axle. condition of the shock absorbers etc., should be checked.

A front wheel alignment depends upon the following factors.

1. Running straight down a road
2. Entering and leaving a tum easily, and
3. Resisting road shocks.