Does Wheel Alignment really matter?

 If you have visited a any vehicle repair shop, you might have observed that the car wheel will be connected to a computerized machine ,where the operators do adjustments and try to correct the wheel position.In short wheel alignment is correcting steering geometry.On a technical note it is maintaining the castor angle,camber angle,King pin inclination and Toe-in and Toe-out distances. 

While manufacturing any vehicle, the manufacturer will have certain angles in which the wheels are connected to the axle. For proper driving of the vehicle those angles has to be maintained. to maintain those angles wheel alignment is done.You may think once the manufacturer has fixed the angle,why will it change. But in reality, due to vehicle  movement in irregular roads the alignment  changes. If  it is left unnoticed, it may lead to wear and tear of tyre and vehicle may not have straight line stability and may start sliding to one side.The main reason of wheel alignment is to avoid these complications.

If proper alignment of wheel is maintained we can experience good stability, less tyre wear , easiness in driving and many more... Now let us see how caster,camber,toe in,toe-out can be adjusted if dislocated.

Camber angle: 

 The above image shows how camber angle is formed.Clearly camber is the angle made by the vehicle wheel's  to the vertical axis of wheel.Depending on the side it leans it can be positive or negative.There are several ways by which caster angle be corrected which include by providing shims ( it is the rubber or metal layers placed between brakes and rotors to avoid noise ) By placing a shim for every 1/2 degree of camber is sufficient.Or by providing eccentric pads which will help us do fine adjustments in camber angle.

Caster Angle: It is the angular displacement of steering axis from vertical axis of steered wheel in a car,bike,heavy vehicle. If the alignment changes,then caster angle is formed.

The above figure illustrates the formation of caster angle.Depending on the side it is formed it can be classified into positive and negative caster angle.Caster angle can be corrected by adjusting the wheel by an angle of 45 degrees and observe the changes in angle.This king of adjustment is done by insertion of eccentric bushes or pivot pins.

King pin inclination: Before knowing about king pin inclination let us know what is the meaning of king pin. King pin is the main pivot in vehicle steering mechanism.The intention of king pin inclination is to produce vertical displacement of vehicle during upward movement of vehicle. 

By doing wheel alignment the king pin inclination can be maintained properly.

Maintaining Toe-in and Toe-out distances

First let us understand what is toe-in and toe-out. As you can see in the above figure, if wheel is inclined towards each other it is known as toe-in and if it is inclined away from each other it is toe-out.By doing wheel alignment these defects can be corrected.

Hoping that this bunch of information has given us proper understanding about wheel alignment.Do share this information.Kindly stay connected with this blog for more updates....