402c Steering Angles and Alignment

Question 1

Which of the following alignment measurements and/or angles are adjustable?

a) toe and caster
b) toe-out on turns
c) kingpin inclination
d) camber and kingpin inclination

Answer 1

a) toe and caster

Question 2

A vehicle has a front wheel toe-in condition. This means the distance between the
centrelines of the tires at the front is greater than the distance between the centrelines
of the tires at the rear.
T/F

Answer 2

false; The description in the statement refers to a toe-out condition.

Question 3

What three (3) angles are tire wearing angles?

Answer 3

• Toe (toe-in or toe-out)
• Camber
• Turning Radius

Question 4

What two (2) angles are directional control (steering
stability) angles?

Answer 4

• Caster

- Kingpin Inclination

Question 5

When viewed from the front of a vehicle, both front tires appear to have positive

camber. The tires are tilted:
a) in at the top.
b) out at the top.
c) forward.
d) rearward

Answer 5

b) out at the top.

Question 6

A vehicle has a single steering axle and a single drive axle. The toe-out on turns
alignment setting will be correct when the outer front tire turns at a sharper angle
(larger number of degrees) than the inner tire.
T/F

Answer 6

false; Inner steering tire turns a sharper angle.

Question 7

When adjusting the toe setting on a rack and pinion steering gear, you must:
a) center the rack by aligning the pointers on the input shaft seal cover and the
input shaft housing.
b) use a computerized multiple wheel alignment rack.
c) adjust each tie rod end by loosening the jam nuts and turning the inner rod.
d) all of the above

Answer 7

d) all of the above

Question 8

Prior to doing a wheel alignment, tire and wheel/rim runout checks are done. The toe
setting could be affected if the lateral run-out is beyond specifications.
T/F

Answer 8

false

Question 9

Tires should be checked to see if they match prior to a wheel alignment. Explain what may happen if a vehicle has unmatched tires on a front axle.

Answer 9

The vehicle could pull to the side having the smaller tire. Operator effort is increased to offset this pulling action.

Question 10

Wheel bearings that are out of adjustment (loose beyond allowable limits) may affect two particular wheel alignment settings. Identify those two (2) settings.

Answer 10

• toe

- camber

Question 11

Suspension components that are weak, for example leaf springs, and sagging due to a bent axle, may affect two alignment settings. Identify those two (2) settings.

Answer 11

• camber

- caster

Question 12

Steering stops must be properly set. What component(s) might suffer damage if the stops are not set correctly (too much inward wheel movement during cornering)?

Answer 12

The internal components within the steering gear box may be damaged. Tires may also rub on suspension components or body panels, with resulting damage to the tires and these items.

Question 13

The toe adjustment is typically done by loosening both outer tie rod ends and rotating the tie rod itself.
T/F

Answer 13

true

Question 14

A cross tube that has been bent due to a collision with an obstacle in off-road conditions will affect which alignment measurement or angles?

a) caster
b) camber
c) toe-out on turns
d) toe

Answer 14

d) toe

Question 15

Positive caster projects the point of load ahead of the point of contact.
T/F

Answer 15

true

Question 16

Explain how the kingpin inclination angle and the toe-out on turns angle can be corrected if found to be outside allowable limits during the alignment process.

Answer 16

Replacement of damaged parts is the method used to bring these angles back into specification.