STEERING ALIGNMENT SETTINGS
AND OPERATIONS
In the following paragraphs, detailed Instructions are given for checking and correcting roadwheel camber angle and front wheel alignment followed by checking castor and steering axis inclination angles, see Fig. 6.
To avoid inaccuracies in the steering geometry and subsequent excessive tyre wear, all checks and adjust-ments must be made with the car in the static loaded condition.
A considerable amount of weight is required making the work arduous and at times Impracticable for some Service Repair Shops. To facilitate the loading of the car, it is weighted down only at the front end onto metal gap gauges Inserted within the two front suspension units when only a reasonable amount of weight is required (approximately 300 lbs., 136 kgs.). Hardwood gap gauges are inserted on top of the rear axle to position the rear end of the car.
The two sets of gap gauges and the loading platform can be made in most Service Repair Shops. Dimensions and instructions for the gap gauges are given later in this Section.
|
To check the front suspension data as given in the “GENERAL DATA SECTION”, the car must be loaded onto the front and rear gap gauges. When in this condition the quoted angles are equivalent to the angles obtained with the car in a fully and evenly laden condi-tion with the exception of the castor angle; the figure quoted for this is calculated to take account of the nose down attitude of the car.
TOOLS AND APPLIANCES
There are many different types of tools and appliances available for use in the maintenance and overhaul of the front suspension and for checking steering geometry.
In every case it is important that the particular manu-facturer’s Instructions should be carefully observed.
Any reputable brand of equipment may be used; illustrations covering the use of various tools and equipment are to be found in the following pages. The special tools described are obtainable from Messrs. V.L. Churchill & Co. Ltd. A full list will be found in Section “S” of this manual. The following equipment will also be required:-
Camber, Castor and Steering Axis Inclination
Gauges. Front wheel turntables for Ackerman
Measurements. Front wheel Track Alignment
Gauge.
PREPARATION OF CAR
When carrying out checks on the front suspension and steering dimensions, the following requirements must be met.
1. The car must be standing on perfectly level ground or shop floor.
2. The tyres must have the same amount of wear and be inflated to the normal running pressures.
3. The front hub bearings must have the correct amount of endfloat, see under “Front Suspension — General Data Section”.
|
**
