Supertracker offer a selection of wheel alignment systems, including laser wheel aligners and computer wheel aligners for car and commercial vehicles.
Supertracker offer more than just wheel alignment, tyre changing and wheel balancing equipment for sale. We also offer repair, support, calibration and maintenance services.
A solid understanding of core alignment angles is essential for efficient diagnosis, precise adjustments, and delivering a high standard of service. While advanced systems can assist in identifying alignment issues, a good grasp of alignment angles enables technicians to interpret diagnostic results more effectively, resulting in quicker adjustments and safer, longer-lasting vehicle performance.
Mastering the angles enhances a technician’s ability to diagnose tyre wear, vehicle handling issues, and even fuel inefficiencies that result from misalignment. From thrust angle to caster, each alignment angle provides insights that can streamline diagnosis and improve customer satisfaction. With a good understanding of these wheel alignment angles, even basic systems can be used to deliver accurate, high-quality results.
The thrust angle represents the direction the rear wheels point in relation to the vehicle's centreline. When properly aligned, the thrust angle should match the vehicle’s centreline, allowing the car to drive straight. Misalignment here can quickly reveal itself in issues like:
Adjusting the thrust angle first ensures a stable baseline for other adjustments. An incorrect thrust angle can result in the steering wheel being off centre when front toe is adjusted.
The toe angle is a key factor in preventing feathering across the tread, poor handling and preserving fuel efficiency. Toe alignment determines whether the wheels point inward (toe-in) or outward (toe-out) relative to the centreline when viewed from above.
Technicians who grasp toe principles can quickly address customer complaints about unusual tread patterns or handleability issues, often spotting and correcting these before they become expensive repairs.
Caster angle, the tilt of the steering axis when viewed from the side, plays a vital role in steering stability. It is the angle between the vertical line and the steering axis (the line that runs through the upper and lower ball joints or strut mount and ball joint in the front suspension).
A positive caster angle tilts the steering axis rearward, while a negative caster tilts it forward.
While some vehicles don’t allow for caster adjustment, technicians knowledgeable about caster can recognise its effect on vehicle behaviour and communicate this effectively to customers.
Camber Angle: Maximizing Tyre Contact and Cornering Grip
The camber angle refers to the inward or outward tilt of the wheels when viewed from the front. Proper camber alignment optimises tyre contact with the road, ensuring even grip and reducing the risk of uneven tyre wear. Types of Camber Angle:
Incorrect camber tilts the tyre from vertical, reducing the contact between the tyre and the road even in a straight line. Incorrect camber can cause smooth wear on the edges of tyres, reduce cornering grip, excessive bearing wear and poor handling.
Setback refers to the forward or rearward position difference between the front wheels. While a slight setback is often within manufacturing tolerances, significant setback might suggest structural issues. Detecting setback issues early through alignment checks can help technicians alert customers to potential frame issues before they become safety risks, establishing trust and avoiding future problems for the customer.
At Supertracker, we offer comprehensive training for both advanced and entry-level alignment systems. Whether working with computerised wheel alignment equipment or manual laser alignment tools, our training helps technicians gain the confidence to perform accurate alignments that increase vehicle efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Visit Supertracker’s Wheel Alignment Studio in Worksop to see our equipment in action, or reach out for quotes and trade-in options. For inquiries or to schedule a demonstration, visit www.supertracker.com or contact us at [email protected].
