ASE A4 Suspension and SteeringWheel Alignment Diagnosis, Adjustment, and RepairMedium
After performing all necessary camber and caster adjustments on a vehicle, a technician proceeds to adjust the front toe. The alignment machine indicates a total front toe of -0.25 inches. The specification for total front toe is +0.10 inches +/- 0.05 inches. Which adjustment is required?
- AAdjust both tie rods to increase toe-in.
- BAdjust both tie rods to increase toe-out.
- CAdjust both tie rods to decrease toe-out.
- DAdjust both tie rods to decrease toe-in.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Adjust both tie rods to increase toe-in.
A total front toe of -0.25 inches indicates toe-out. The specification is +0.10 inches (toe-in). To move from toe-out (-0.25 inches) to toe-in (+0.10 inches), the toe needs to be increased, or adjusted towards toe-in. This is achieved by lengthening the tie rods symmetrically.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Increasing toe-out would make the toe more negative, moving it further from the positive specification.
- C. Decreasing toe-out is the correct direction, which is equivalent to increasing toe-in. However, 'increase toe-in' is a more direct and accurate description for reaching the positive spec from a negative reading.
- D. Decreasing toe-in would make the toe even more negative (more toe-out).
Toe Adjustment Direction
Toe adjustment involves symmetrically changing the angle of the front wheels relative to the vehicle's centerline, affecting tire wear and steering response.
- Positive toe (toe-in) means the front of the wheels are closer together.
- Negative toe (toe-out) means the front of the wheels are farther apart.
- Adjustments are made by lengthening or shortening tie rods.
Memory trick: Toe's direction, spec's your guide; too out, bring it in; too in, open wide.