ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light RepairSuspension and SteeringHard
During a pre-alignment inspection, a technician finds that the vehicle's left front camber is -1.5 degrees, while the specification is 0.0 +/- 0.5 degrees. The MOST likely cause, assuming no collision damage, is:
- AA worn or bent steering knuckle.
- BA faulty shock absorber.
- CExcessive toe-in on the left front wheel.
- DA sagging or damaged coil spring.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. A sagging or damaged coil spring.
Negative camber means the top of the wheel is tilted inward. A sagging or damaged coil spring on that side would lower the vehicle, causing the control arms to pivot and pull the top of the wheel inward, resulting in excessive negative camber. Steering knuckle damage is possible but less common without collision, and toe/shocks don't directly cause camber issues.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A bent steering knuckle could cause negative camber, but often results from impact and is less common than a spring issue without collision.
- B. A faulty shock absorber affects dampening and ride quality, but does not directly alter static camber angle.
- C. Toe-in primarily affects tire scrub and steering, not directly camber.
Camber and Ride Height
Vehicle ride height directly influences camber angle. A lower ride height (e.g., from a sagging spring) often results in increased negative camber.
- Negative camber: top of wheel tilts inward.
- Positive camber: top of wheel tilts outward.
- Springs support vehicle weight and maintain ride height.
Memory trick: Sagging spring, camber swings negative.