Alignment: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION
The camber and toe is adjustable for both the front and rear suspension systems. The front camber is adjusted by means of eccentric cams on the front suspension lower arm. The rear camber is adjusted by means of eccentric cams on the rear upper arms. The caster is adjusted by use of the front lower arm strut nut. The front toe is adjusted by the use of the front wheel spindle tie rod. The rear toe is adjusted by means of eccentric cams on the rear lower arms.

Negative and Positive Camber:

CAMBER
Camber is the vertical tilt of the wheel when viewed from the front. Camber can be positive or negative and has a direct effect on tire wear.

Caster:

CASTER
Caster is the deviation from vertical of an imaginary line drawn through the ball joints when viewed from the side. The caster specifications will give the vehicle the best directional stability characteristics when loaded and driven. The caster setting is not related to tire wear.

Positive Toe (Toe In):

Negative Toe (Toe Out):

TOE
The vehicle toe setting:
- affects tire wear and directional stability
- must be checked after adding aftermarket equipment, such as a snowplow or body.

Ride Height, Front:

Ride Height, Rear:

RIDE HEIGHT
The vehicle ride height can only be measured accurately after the air suspension auto test has been executed using an NGS tester. Then the air suspension switch must be set in the OFF position to prevent the vehicle ride height from changing.

Wheel Track:

Dogtracking:

DOGTRACKING
Dogtracking is the condition in which the rear axle is not square to the chassis. Heavily crowned roads can give the illusion of dogtracking.