ASE A4 Suspension and SteeringWheel Alignment Diagnosis, Adjustment, and RepairMedium
A technician is performing a four-wheel alignment on a vehicle that exhibits a pull to the right. After inspecting all suspension components and confirming they are in good condition, the technician measures the alignment angles. The front left camber is +0.5 degrees, front right camber is -0.5 degrees, and the manufacturer's specification for camber is 0.0 degrees ±0.5 degrees. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the right pull?
- AExcessive positive camber on the front right wheel.
- BExcessive negative camber on the front left wheel.
- CExcessive negative camber on the front right wheel.
- DExcessive positive camber on the front left wheel.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Excessive negative camber on the front right wheel.
A vehicle will tend to pull to the side with the most negative camber or the least positive camber. In this scenario, the front right wheel has -0.5 degrees of camber, which is at the negative end of the specification and contributes to a pull to the right.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Excessive positive camber on the front right would cause a pull to the left, not the right.
- B. Excessive negative camber on the front left would cause a pull to the left, not the right.
- D. Excessive positive camber on the front left would cause a pull to the right, but the -0.5 degrees on the right is more significant for a right pull.
Camber and Vehicle Pull
Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel when viewed from the front of the vehicle. A vehicle tends to pull towards the side with more negative camber or less positive camber.
- Positive camber: top of the wheel tilts outward.
- Negative camber: top of the wheel tilts inward.
- Unequal camber side-to-side causes a steering pull.
- Pull is towards the side with more negative camber.
Memory trick: Negative camber pulls you down and in, just like a sad mood.