![]() THIS SIDE UP: A quick camber check can be done with a level and two simple spacers. With solid rear axles, the repair will require replacing the rear links or straightening the frame. On IRS cars, tapered shims are typically installed under the rear stub axles to reconcile the thrust line and centerline and to restore harmony. This is just about impossible to correct without professional 4-wheel-alignment equipment. Besides having a steering wheel that's not at center when you're going straight, another obvious clue to dog tracking is if you see four distinct tracks in the snow or rain when driving straight. If the deviation between the two is great, your vehicle will dog track. But given a vehicle's size, manufacturing tolerances, wear and abuse of daily driving, they often do not. In an ideal world the two lines coincide. For example, if the left rear wheel is toed in at 4° and the right is toed at zero, the thrust line is 2° to the left of the centerline. On vehicles with an independent rear suspension (IRS), the thrust line is determined by splitting the toe-in angle of the rear wheels. On vehicles with solid rear axles, the thrust line is perpendicular to the rear axle. Technically this occurs when your vehicle's "thrust line" and centerline are too far apart. This condition is commonly referred to as dog tracking. The problem is that the rear wheels are also trying to steer the vehicle and overtake the fronts. Replacing coil springs or adjusting torsion bars can bring alignment back into specs.Įven if the front wheels are perfectly aligned and tires properly inflated, you may still have to steer constantly in one direction or the other to keep the vehicle going straight up the road. As springs or torsion bars sag with age, camber changes. Keep in mind that most vehicles will have a degree or two of negative camber. The canisters served as feet that we placed at the top and bottom of the wheel's rim. We used two 35mm film canisters held to the edge of the level with rubber bands. You can get a pretty good idea of camber by using a carpenter's level, although you'll need to be parked on a perfectly level space. Going too far in this direction will cause a pull to that side because the tire itself forms the shape of a cone.ĭon't run to the alignment shop just yet. If the top of the tire tilts outward from the body, camber is said to be positive. ![]() Zero camber means the centerline of the tire is perfectly perpendicular to a level surface. Also, there'll be more tread-to-pavement drag on the low side, pulling the car in that direction.Ĭamber refers to the tilt of the tire from the vertical, and this has a profound effect on directional tendencies. This is because its rolling diameter will be smaller than that of its mate on the other side. A low tire on one side will make a car pull in that direction. The correct pressure is on a sticker-check your owner's manual for its exact location. ![]() And that's first thing in the morning, cold. Drop 10 bucks on a good gauge and keep it in your glovebox.) You should check your tire pressures once a month. (Don't trust the gauge on the quarter-eating pump at the local station-those are often off by as much as 5 pounds. There's no doubt about it-you definitely have some steering issues.īefore you start thinking about expensive repairs, make sure the basic vehicle-to-road interface is okay, meaning the tires. The kids in the back seat are screaming for Dramamine, and you're fatigued after only an hour of driving. That is, until you make a short rest stop and realize that there's no wind whatsoever. Almost, because it's windy and you need to saw the steering wheel back and forth, tacking like a sailboat, to stay in your lane. You're almost enjoying a long drive on a nice, flat interstate.
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