FAA Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA)Landing Gear SystemsHard
A technician measures nose landing gear wheel alignment by placing marks on the front and rear of each tire at axle height and measuring the distance between the marks. The front measurement is 26.000 inches and the rear measurement is 26.250 inches. What alignment condition does this indicate, and by how much?
- ACamber of 0.250 inch
- BCaster of 0.250 inch
- CToe-out of 0.250 inch
- DToe-in of 0.250 inch
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Toe-out of 0.250 inch
Since the rear measurement (26.250 in) is greater than the front measurement (26.000 in), the tires point slightly apart at the front, which is toe-out; the amount of toe-out is the difference between the two measurements: 26.250 − 26.000 = 0.250 inch.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Camber refers to the wheel's vertical tilt inward or outward, not fore-aft distance difference.
- B. Caster refers to the pivot axis angle for steering, unrelated to this linear measurement.
- D. Toe-in would occur if the front measurement were smaller than a normal spread, not larger at the rear.
Toe-In/Toe-Out Alignment
Toe-in occurs when front tire measurements are smaller than rear measurements (tires point inward); toe-out occurs when front measurements are larger, indicating tires point outward at the front.
- Measured by comparing front vs rear distance between wheels/marks at axle height
- Toe-out: rear measurement greater than front
- Improper alignment causes abnormal tire wear and handling issues
Memory trick: 'Toe-OUT points tires out like a duck, rear measurement is bigger'