Steering Angles and Alignment

Question 1

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

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

Identify the following angles as tire wearing angles or directional control (steering stability) angles.

a. toe
b. caster
c. camber
d. kingpin inclination
e. turning radius

Answer 2

a. toe-tire wear
b. caster-directional control
c. camber-tire wear
d. kingpin inclination-directional control
e. turning radius-tire wear

Question 3

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 than the inner tire.
True
False

Answer 3

False, inner tire turns sharper.

Question 4

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.
True
False

Answer 4

False

Question 5

Wheel bearings that are out of adjustment (loose beyond allowable limits) may affect two particular wheel alignment settings. Identify these two settings.
1_____________
2_____________

Answer 5

1. toe

2. camber

Question 6

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 6

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

Question 7

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

a. caster
b. camber
c. toe out on turns
d. toe

Answer 7

d. toe

Question 8

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 8

Replacement of damaged parts only.

Question 9

A vehicle has a front toe in condition. This means the distance between the centerlines of the tires at the front is greater than the distance between the center lines of the tires at the rear.
True
False

Answer 9

False, toe out.

Question 10

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 of the top.
c. forward.
d. rearward.

Answer 10

b. out at the top.

Question 11

When adjusting toe setting on a rack and pinion steering gear, you must:

a. center the rack by aligning the points 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 jams nuts and turning the inner rod.
d. all of the above.

Answer 11

d. all of the above.

Question 12

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 12

Vehicle will pull to the side with the smallest tire. Operator effort is increased to offset the pulling action.

Question 13

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

Answer 13

1. Camber

2. Caster

Question 14

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

a. True
b. False

Answer 14

a. True

Question 15

Positive caster projects the point of load ahead of the point of contact.
True
False

Answer 15

True