Measure accurately. Diagnose the system. Adjust in the correct order.
Fundamentals
A technician-focused introduction to wheel alignment, vehicle reference lines, measurement workflow and the difference between measuring and correcting geometry.
6 min readFundamentalsUnderstanding Wheel Alignment SpecificationsHow to read preferred values, minimum and maximum tolerances, cross values and vehicle-condition requirements in an alignment specification database.
5 min readFundamentalsPre-Alignment Inspection ChecklistA complete pre-alignment inspection covering tires, wheels, steering, suspension, ride height, loading and alignment-bay preparation.
5 min readAngles & Geometry
A detailed explanation of toe-in, toe-out, tire scrub, steering-wheel position, measurement references and professional toe adjustment.
5 min readAngles & GeometryTotal Toe: Reading the Axle as a SystemWhat total toe means, how it differs from individual toe, how toe is calculated and why an acceptable total can still hide an off-center steering condition.
4 min readAngles & GeometryIndividual Toe and Steering-Wheel PositionHow left and right individual toe relate to the thrust line, steering gear center and steering-wheel position.
4 min readAngles & GeometryCamber Angle ExplainedPositive and negative camber, cross camber, tire wear, ride-height influence, diagnostic interpretation and adjustment practice.
4 min readAngles & GeometryCaster Angle ExplainedPositive caster, cross caster, steering returnability, road crown, measurement by caster sweep and adjustment considerations.
4 min readAngles & GeometrySteering Axis Inclination (SAI)How Steering Axis Inclination is calculated, its relationship to camber and included angle, and how it helps identify bent or displaced components.
4 min readAngles & GeometryIncluded Angle ExplainedThe relationship between Steering Axis Inclination and camber, and how included angle supports collision and suspension diagnosis.
3 min readAngles & GeometryThrust Angle ExplainedHow rear individual toe establishes the thrust line, why it affects steering-wheel position and how to adjust the vehicle from rear to front.
4 min readAngles & GeometrySetback ExplainedFront and rear setback, wheelbase difference, diagnostic links to caster and collision damage, and measurement interpretation.
4 min readAngles & GeometryRide Height and Wheel AlignmentWhy ride height changes alignment geometry, how to measure it correctly and when height must be corrected before alignment.
4 min readAngles & GeometryScrub Radius and Steering GeometryWhat scrub radius is, how wheel offset and Steering Axis Inclination affect it, and why changes influence steering, braking and road feel.
4 min readAngles & GeometryToe-Out on Turns and Ackermann GeometryHow inner and outer steering angles differ in a turn, how an aligner checks toe-out on turns and what abnormal readings may indicate.
4 min readProcedures & Diagnosis
Why wheel, rim and clamp runout must be compensated, how rolling and raised methods work, and how to protect compensation accuracy.
4 min readProcedures & DiagnosisHow a Caster Sweep WorksThe measurement geometry, sweep angles, turn-plate preparation, common errors and repeatability checks used to calculate caster and SAI.
4 min readProcedures & DiagnosisSteering Wheel Centering During AlignmentHow to center the steering gear and steering wheel, balance individual toe around the thrust line and verify the result on the road.
4 min readProcedures & DiagnosisWheel Alignment Adjustment SequenceA rear-to-front alignment sequence explaining why ride height, rear camber, rear toe, front caster/camber and front toe are handled in a controlled order.
4 min readProcedures & DiagnosisHow to Read a Wheel Alignment ReportA practical guide to before and after values, units, color ranges, total and cross values, thrust angle and customer-facing report explanation.
4 min read