Automobile Engineering

There are important alignment factors are as under:-

Ø Caster.

Ø Camber.

Ø Toe-in

Ø King pin inclination

Ø Toe out or steering geometry

Ø Tracking.

ü Caster: it is backward tilt of the king pin and axle at the top. The purpose of caster is to give the vehicle directional stability or ability to travel straight ahead with a minimum of actual steering by the driver. This is accomplished by the fact that the projected centre line of king pin strikes the road ahead of the contact point of the tyre. This has a tendency to lead or drag the wheel behind it giving the vehicle directional stability.

ü Chamber: it is outward tilt of the wheels at the top. It is to allow the load to bear more directly down through the king pin there by relieving any binding action of pivots in their bearings.

ü Toe-in: the adjustment for gathering the wheels inward at the front is known as toe-in. it means that the distance between the front wheels at the front is less than the distance at the back.

ü King-pin inclination: it is inward tilt of king-pin at the top. It tends to keep the stub axle pointed outward in line with the axle just as caster tends to keep the wheels pointed ahead.

ü Toe-out or steering geometry: the difference in angles between the front wheels and the chassis frame during turns is known as toe-out or steering geometry. It is toed out position the front wheels assume when making a turn.