Steering Angles and Alignment Flashcards

1
Q

steering geometry refers to what specific wheel alignment angles

A
. toe  
. caster 
. camber
.king pin inclination 
. turning radius 
. thrust and scrub
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2
Q

what are the two classifications of tire angles

A

tire wearing and directional control

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3
Q

a wheel alignment angle whose primary purpose is to reduce tire wear is classified as a

A

tire wearing angle

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4
Q

what are the tire wearing angles that if adjusted away from manufacturers spec will cause premature tire wear

A

camber
turning radius
toe

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5
Q

a wheel alignment angle whose primary purpose is to add steering stability is classified as a

A

directional control angle

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6
Q

what are the angles that fall into the directional control angle category

A

caster and kingpin inclination

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7
Q

what must happen before attempting a wheel alignment

A

all steering components must be within allowable limits

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8
Q

what is toe

A

toe is the difference in distance between the front and the rear of the wheels on the same axle

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9
Q

what is toe in

A

when the wheels are closer together at the front then the back

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10
Q

what will happen if toe in is excessive

A

the tires will scuff as it moves down the road and a feathered edge will develop

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11
Q

what will happen if toe out is excessive

A

the tires will scuff and a feathered edge will develop

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12
Q

what is the purpose of the toe setting

A

to compensate for any deflection (wear) in the steering linkage

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13
Q

what would create optimum tire life

A

zero toe

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14
Q

what is caster

A

forward or backward tilt of the kingpin

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15
Q

what type of angle is caster

A

a directional control angle

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16
Q

what is the steering axis

A

the steering axis is the invisible line drawn through the center of the kingpin about witch the wheel can be turned

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17
Q

what are the three possible castor conditions

A

. positive castor
. negative castor
. zero castor

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18
Q

what is the purpose of castor

A

castor tends to make the vehicle to want to go straight

and helps to return the steering to the straight ahead position after making a turn

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19
Q

what is the center of the tire footprint called

A

point of contact

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20
Q

where will positive castor project the load

A

ahead of the point of contact

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21
Q

what is the spot where the weight of the load is being projected called in a castor position called

A

point of load

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22
Q

whenever the point of load is projected ahead of the point of contact what will the wheel want to do

A

it will have a tendency to follow this projected point

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23
Q

what will happen with excessive positive castor

A

. road shock
. heavy steering
. shimmy

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24
Q

what type of excessive castor will reduce road shock

A

negative castor

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25
Q

what type of excessive castor will result in more heavy steering

A

positive castor

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26
Q

what type of excessive castor will result in shimmy

A

positive castor

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27
Q

what type of castor will create easier steering

A

negative castor

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28
Q

what type of castor will cause instability at high speeds

A

negative castor

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29
Q

good directional control can only be obtained if

A

the point of contact follows the point of load

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30
Q

what type of castor will produce wander a weave

A

negative castor

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31
Q

what is camber

A

camber is the outward or inward tilt of the wheel at the top

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32
Q

what type angle is camber

A

wear angle

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33
Q

what are the two main purpose of camber

A

. brings the point of contact more directly under the load

. provides easier steering by allowing the weight of the vehicle to be carried closer to the steering axis

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34
Q

what are the effects of incorrect camber

A

abnormal and premature tire wear

steering and stability issues

35
Q

where will to much positive camber cause a tire to wear

A

on the outside edge of the tire

36
Q

where will to much negative camber cause a tire to wear

A

on the inside edge of the tire

37
Q

what will happen to the camber if the axle is overloaded

A

it will become more of a negative camber

38
Q

what will having the camber equal on both sides assist in

A

the vehicle will be less subjected to outside forces such as cross winds because of the opposing forces holding the vehicle on a straight path

39
Q

what will result if the axle is bent and the camber is not equal on both sides

A

camber pull

40
Q

if a vehicle has camber pull what side will the vehicle pull to

A

to the side with the most positive camber

41
Q

what can also happen if you have excessive camber

A

the wheel bearing will be abnormally loaded causing premature wear

42
Q

what is the kingpin inclination angle

A

it is the inward tilt of the steering axis at the top

43
Q

what type of angle is kingpin inclination angle

A

directional control witch is established by the vehicle manufacture

44
Q

is the KPI angle adjustable on I beam front axles

A

no it is set by the manufacturer but will still have to be measured when doing wheel alignment

45
Q

what are some of the purposes of the KPI angle

A

. it reduces the need for high camber
. it brings the point of contact more directly under the point of load
. it provides a pivot point for wheel to turn around producing ease of steering
. it provides steering stability
. it reduces road shock
. it reduces brake pull

46
Q

what must you consider when measuring KPI angle

A

you must also consider camber angle

47
Q

what is the included angle

A

the combined reading of the KPI and the camber

48
Q

if the camber angle is zero

A

then the KPI and the included angle are the same

49
Q

what is the scrub radius

A

is the distance between the projected steering axis and the center of the tire contact area measured at the road surface

50
Q

how could the scrub radius be altered

A

by installing rims with a different offset

51
Q

what is turning radius

A

turning radius is toe out on turns

52
Q

what type of angle is turning radius

A

tire wearing angle

53
Q

what is the number one tire wear angle

A

toe

54
Q

what is the purpose of tire turning radius

A

to reduce tire scuffing during cornering

55
Q

what determines the angle of the turning radius

A

the shape of the steering arms

56
Q

can the turning radius be adjusted

A

no

57
Q

what angle helps reduce tire skidding during cornering

A

toe out on turns angle

58
Q

what is the vehicle center line

A

it is the invisible line that runs longitudinally down the middle of the vehicle
. it is determined by measuring equally on both sides

59
Q

what is the geometric centerline

A

a line that is determined by the midpoints of the front and rear wheels
. if the wheels are not offset the VCL and GCL are identical

60
Q

what is the thrust line

A

it is a line that is determined by the total toe of the rear wheels
. the thrust line divides the toe in half and runs up the center of the vehicle

61
Q

what line will determine the direction the vehicle will travel

A

the thrust line

62
Q

if the thrust line is off what will the vehicle do

A

dog track in the direction of the thrust line

63
Q

what is the thrust angle

A

it is the angle that results from any difference between the GCL and the thrust line

64
Q

when a vehicle is tracking to the right or left what direction will be the easier way to turn during this condition

A

if its tracking right it will turn easier to the left

if it is tracking to the left it will turn easier to the right

65
Q

what is the scrub angle

A

its the angle formed by the intersecting lines drawn through the rear axle when total toe and offset is zero

66
Q

what will happen if you have any scrub angle greater than zero

A

it will cause the two rear axles to work against each other pushing the front of the vehicle to one side or the other

67
Q

what is positive scrub

A

when the axles are closer on the right side of the vehicle . this will push the vehicle to the right

68
Q

what is negative scrub

A

when the axles are closer on the left side of the vehicle . this will push the vehicle to the left

69
Q

what should be done if you feel you have steering looseness in your steering gear

A

adjust the internal play

70
Q

will lateral runout of a rim affect the toe check and adjustment

A

no . but it will affect drivability

71
Q

what can worn and loose wheel bearings affect

A

toe measurement and camber angle

72
Q

what problem can affect castor angles when measuring

A

broken or sagging spring ( air bags ,rubber block ,leaf and torsion bar )

73
Q

why is accuracy important when measuring toe

A

because the toe setting is quite small 0-1/8”

74
Q

what would a special spring loaded marking scribe be used for

A

making a accurate thin line in the tire centerline to measure toe

75
Q

how can you get the most accurate reading when measuring toe using the toe setting gauge

A

by placing the gauge pointers as close as possible to the centerline of the spindles

76
Q

if the tie rod is moved so the back of the tires are 1/16 further apart and the front of the tires are 1/16 closer together how much have you changed the toe setting

A

by 1/8”

77
Q

how is the toe setting on a rack and pinion steering system set

A

by using a computerized multi-wheel alignment rack

78
Q

when setting the toe on a rack and pinion style steering it is ok to center the steering wheel by adjusting the tie rod ends

A

NO this will change the toe setting . in order to center the steering wheel you must remove the steering wheel it and reposition it to the center position

79
Q

what is used when adjusting the castor angle

A

one tapered shim placed between the axle and the leafspring

80
Q

what might a high camber reading indicate

A

a kingpin inclination problem due to a damaged axle or steering knuckle

81
Q

before checking rear axle alignment what must be within specification

A

frame and suspension

82
Q

what tool could be used when measuring rear axle scrub

A

a trammel bar

83
Q

what two angles can be checked but not adjusted

A

KPI and turning radius