Toe-in and wheel angles — checking and adjustment

1. Accurate wheel alignment ensures good handling and handling performance, preventing excessive tire wear. Before making adjustments, check that the tires are in good condition and inflated to the specified pressure, the wheels are not deformed, and the steering gear and suspension are in good condition with no play or wear. The vehicle must be parked on a level, level surface with a clear weight.

2. Wheel installation includes five values:

Camber - the angle of deviation of the wheel axis from the vertical line, when viewed from the front or rear of the car. Positive camber - angle (in degrees), when the top edge of the wheel is tilted outward from the vehicle; negative camber when the top edge of the wheel is tilted inward. The camber is not adjustable.

Kingpin longitudinal inclination - the angle between the axis of the kingpin and the vertical line when viewed from each side of the vehicle. Positive caster - the top end of the kingpin axis is tilted towards the rear of the vehicle. The longitudinal inclination of the kingpin is not adjustable.

Cross pin tilt - the angle between a vertical line passing through the front or rear wheel and a line passing through the center of the upper suspension strut mount and the center of the lower control arm ball joint, when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. The lateral inclination is not adjustable.

Wheel alignment - the difference in distances between the front inner edges of the wheel frames and the rear inner edges of the wheel frames, measured at the height of the hub. If the distance at the front is less than the distance at the rear, the wheels have "positive toe". If vice versa - the wheels have "discrepancy". On the front wheels, positive toe-in is adjusted by changing the length of the tie rods, while on the rear wheels, by changing the length of the rear wheels (regulated) transverse balancers.


Rotation angles - the difference in steering angles between the inner and outer front wheels, measured at the maximum steering angle. The main adjustment is made by changing the length of the steering column locking bolts on the hub fastener.

Checking and adjusting toe - front and rear wheels

3. For accurate control, the car must be with net weight, the tire pressure must be correct, the car must be installed on a horizontal surface. Rock the car to adjust the suspension, making sure the wheels are in a straight driving position. The steering wheel should be in neutral position.

4. Move the car back a few steps, then forward.

5. First measure the distance between the inner edges of the wheel rims, at the height of the center of the hub on the rear side of the wheels; record the measurement "A". Now push the car forward so that the wheels turn exactly 180° (half a turn) and measure the distance again, but now at the height of the center of the hub on the front side of the wheels; record the measurement "IN". The measurement would be more accurate if it were repeated several times at points separated by 120°around the inner side surface of the wheel rim and the resulting measurements were averaged.

6. To determine the toe-in of the front wheels, guided by Fig. 10.38, subtract measurement "IN" from measurement "A". To determine rear wheel alignment, subtract the measurement "A" from measurement "IN". The resulting value must be within the specified range.




7. If adjustment is required, see below.

Toe adjustment - front wheels

8. Check that both tie rods are installed as shown in Fig. 10.39.





9. Loosen the locknuts of the outer ball joints of the steering rods.

10. Evenly change the length of both tie rods by screwing them into the outer ball joints (to reduce positive toe) or by unscrewing their external ball joints (to increase positive toe). Change the setting to a quarter turn, check the toe as described above and repeat the adjustment if necessary.


11. After adjustment, tighten the locknuts of the outer ball joints of the steering rods with the tightening torque specified in Specifications if it is possible.

Toe Adjustment - Rear Wheels

12. Before adjustment, check the installation of both rear (regulated) cross balancers (Pic. 10.41).



13. Completely loosen both adjuster locknuts on each balancer. Do not allow the balancer to spin on the bushing.

14. Change the length of both cross balancers to the same amount by screwing in the adjusters (to shorten the balancer and increase the divergence) or unscrewing the regulators (to reduce the discrepancy). Change the setting to a quarter turn, check the divergence and repeat the adjustment if necessary.

15. After adjustment, tighten all locknuts to the torque specified in the specifications if possible.

Checking and adjusting the steering angles of the front wheels

16. Turn the steering wheel in one direction first until the outer wheel turns 20°, check the rotation angle of the inner wheel. Then turn the steering wheel back through neutral and repeat the measurement.


17. Turn the steering wheel to the maximum angle of rotation, measure the angles. On vehicles with power steering, start the engine and set the idle speed, using a steelyard attached to the steering wheel frame, apply a force of 98-147 N, measure the angles. Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction until it stops, repeat the measurement.

18. If the angles are not set correctly, check that the steering column lock bolts are installed as shown in Fig. 10.42; The plastic bolt cover is in good condition. Loosen the locknuts.



19. Both bolts must be installed identically. On T12 and early MS T72 Turbo models with power steering, check that the shims at each end of the strut are installed correctly.