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ALIGNMENT ANGLES
What is your mechanic talking about when he says your toe angle is off? The following four angles are the most common adjustment points regarding a vehicle alignment to ensure proper tire wear and performance. There are additional adjustment points, but these are the most critical.
CAMBER
Camber is the wheel inward or outward tilt of the top of the wheel when viewing the wheel from the front of the vehicle. Adjustments to Camber will affect how the vehicle pulls from side to side. Improper camber adjustments can result in a “pull” to one side as well as excessive tire wear on the outside (too much positive camber) or on the inside (too much negative camber) on the tire.
CASTER
Caster is the forward or backward tilt of the upper ball joint, or the top of the strut, in relation to the lower ball joint. Caster affects steering stability and the ability to return to center after a turn is performed. Improper caster can result in a vehicle that “pulls” as well as wanders at higher speeds in the case of too much negative caster.
TOE
Toe is the difference between the leading edges and trailing edges of the front of the wheel & tire assembly, measured at the spindle height. In other words it is whether the wheels are pointed inward (toe-in), outward (toe-out), or parallel to each other (zero-toe). This is one of the most important adjustment angles as improper toe can cause severe tire wear issues and extreme steering instability when driving.
THRUST
Thrust is the direction of the rear wheels in relation to the vehicle centerline. Improper thrust angles can cause steering wheel misalignment, “dog-tracking”, vehicle “pulls” and tire wear. There are several options available for quickly and easily correcting thrust angle issues specific to chassis types..