Steve's Four Wheel Alignment Quiz

1. The tires on a motor home have an abnormal wear pattern. All you can suggest to your customer is :

Adjust positive camber

Buy new, bigger radial tires

Keep tires properly inflated, rotate them on schedule, and check the alignment

Replace the tie rods

The correct answer is to keep the tires properly inflated, rotate them on schedule, and check the alignment. This is because abnormal wear patterns on the tires can be caused by various factors such as underinflation, lack of rotation, and misalignment. By ensuring that the tires are properly inflated, regularly rotated, and the alignment is checked, the customer can prevent further abnormal wear and extend the lifespan of their tires. Adjusting positive camber, buying new, bigger radial tires, or replacing tie rods may not address the underlying causes of the abnormal wear pattern.

Explanation

The correct answer is to keep the tires properly inflated, rotate them on schedule, and check the alignment. This is because abnormal wear patterns on the tires can be caused by various factors such as underinflation, lack of rotation, and misalignment. By ensuring that the tires are properly inflated, regularly rotated, and the alignment is checked, the customer can prevent further abnormal wear and extend the lifespan of their tires. Adjusting positive camber, buying new, bigger radial tires, or replacing tie rods may not address the underlying causes of the abnormal wear pattern.

2. Toe-out is:

Means the front of the tires are closer together than the rear of the tires

Means the front of the tires are farther apart than the rear of the tires

Corrects the tendency of the wheels to deflect out while in motion

Isn't affected when suspension height is changed

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Explanation

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3. It is important to regularly rotate tires. Which of the below choices is correct:

Tires should be rotated ecery 5,000 - 7,000 miles

If a vehicle both radial and bias tires, rotate them front to back only

After rotation a temporary noise problem will develop, but it will go away when the tire pattern returns to normal

If a vehicle has both radial and bias tires, rotate them in an "x" pattern only

Regularly rotating tires is important to ensure even wear and extend their lifespan. The correct answer states that tires should be rotated every 5,000 - 7,000 miles. This is a recommended mileage range by experts to prevent uneven wear on tires. By rotating the tires at this interval, the wear pattern is distributed evenly across all tires, resulting in better traction, improved fuel efficiency, and longer tire life.

Explanation

Regularly rotating tires is important to ensure even wear and extend their lifespan. The correct answer states that tires should be rotated every 5,000 - 7,000 miles. This is a recommended mileage range by experts to prevent uneven wear on tires. By rotating the tires at this interval, the wear pattern is distributed evenly across all tires, resulting in better traction, improved fuel efficiency, and longer tire life.

4. A vehicle's tires show excessive tire wear to one side of the tire tread. A possible cause is:

A worn steering knuckle

Incorrect caster

Incorrect camber

Improper inflated tires

Incorrect camber refers to the angle of the tire in relation to the road surface. When the camber is not set correctly, the tire will tilt either inward or outward. This can result in excessive tire wear on one side of the tire tread.

Explanation

Incorrect camber refers to the angle of the tire in relation to the road surface. When the camber is not set correctly, the tire will tilt either inward or outward. This can result in excessive tire wear on one side of the tire tread.

5. Caster adds directional stability to a vehicle. Too much positive caster can cause:

Loose steering

A squealing noise around turns

Quick braking action

Hard steering

Positive caster refers to the angle at which the steering axis is tilted towards the rear of the vehicle. It helps to improve directional stability by ensuring that the wheels return to the straight-ahead position after a turn. However, if there is too much positive caster, it can cause the steering to become harder to turn. This is because the increased angle creates more resistance when trying to turn the wheels, resulting in a stiffer steering feel. Therefore, the correct answer is hard steering.

Explanation

Positive caster refers to the angle at which the steering axis is tilted towards the rear of the vehicle. It helps to improve directional stability by ensuring that the wheels return to the straight-ahead position after a turn. However, if there is too much positive caster, it can cause the steering to become harder to turn. This is because the increased angle creates more resistance when trying to turn the wheels, resulting in a stiffer steering feel. Therefore, the correct answer is hard steering.

6. What is the most important alignment angle in terms of tire wear?

Camber

Caster

Toe

Steering axis inclination

Toe is the most important alignment angle in terms of tire wear. Toe refers to the angle at which the tires point inward or outward when viewed from above. Improper toe alignment can cause excessive tire wear, as it can lead to the tires scrubbing against the road surface. If the toe is misaligned, the tires will wear unevenly and prematurely, reducing their lifespan and performance. Therefore, maintaining proper toe alignment is crucial for optimal tire wear and longevity.

Explanation

Toe is the most important alignment angle in terms of tire wear. Toe refers to the angle at which the tires point inward or outward when viewed from above. Improper toe alignment can cause excessive tire wear, as it can lead to the tires scrubbing against the road surface. If the toe is misaligned, the tires will wear unevenly and prematurely, reducing their lifespan and performance. Therefore, maintaining proper toe alignment is crucial for optimal tire wear and longevity.

7. A vehicle's steering parts are wearing out prematurely. A likely cause is:

Incorrect camber

Incorrect caster

Incorrect toe

All of the above

B and C only

The correct answer is "all of the above." This means that all three options - incorrect camber, incorrect caster, and incorrect toe - are likely causes for the premature wearing out of a vehicle's steering parts. Each of these factors can affect the alignment and stability of the vehicle's wheels, leading to uneven tire wear and increased strain on the steering components. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all three aspects of the vehicle's steering system are properly adjusted and aligned to prevent premature wear and damage.

Explanation

The correct answer is "all of the above." This means that all three options - incorrect camber, incorrect caster, and incorrect toe - are likely causes for the premature wearing out of a vehicle's steering parts. Each of these factors can affect the alignment and stability of the vehicle's wheels, leading to uneven tire wear and increased strain on the steering components. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all three aspects of the vehicle's steering system are properly adjusted and aligned to prevent premature wear and damage.

8. When performing a four wheel alignment, always start by:

Checking the tire pressure of all four tires

Checking the pressure and condition of the tires on the rear axle

Rotating all four tires

All of the above

A and C only

When performing a four-wheel alignment, it is important to start by checking the tire pressure of all four tires. This is because proper tire pressure is crucial for accurate alignment measurements and adjustments. If the tire pressure is not correct, it can affect the alignment readings and lead to inaccurate adjustments. Therefore, checking the tire pressure of all four tires is an essential step in the alignment process.

Explanation

When performing a four-wheel alignment, it is important to start by checking the tire pressure of all four tires. This is because proper tire pressure is crucial for accurate alignment measurements and adjustments. If the tire pressure is not correct, it can affect the alignment readings and lead to inaccurate adjustments. Therefore, checking the tire pressure of all four tires is an essential step in the alignment process.

9. On most vehicles, _____ should be adjusted first:

Camber

Caster

Toe

It doesn't matter which order, unless its a front wheel drive car

Camber should be adjusted first on most vehicles because it refers to the angle of the wheels in relation to the vertical axis when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. Proper camber adjustment ensures that the wheels are perpendicular to the road surface, which helps with tire wear and stability while driving. Adjusting camber before other factors such as caster and toe is important to establish a solid foundation for the overall alignment of the vehicle.

Explanation

Camber should be adjusted first on most vehicles because it refers to the angle of the wheels in relation to the vertical axis when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. Proper camber adjustment ensures that the wheels are perpendicular to the road surface, which helps with tire wear and stability while driving. Adjusting camber before other factors such as caster and toe is important to establish a solid foundation for the overall alignment of the vehicle.

10. Benefits of a four wheel alignment include:

Increased tire life

Increased fuel economy, if driving habits remain the same

Increased turning angle

All of the above

A and B only

A four-wheel alignment has the benefits of increased tire life and increased fuel economy, if driving habits remain the same. By aligning all four wheels properly, it ensures that the tires wear evenly, reducing the risk of premature wear and extending their lifespan. Additionally, a properly aligned vehicle experiences less rolling resistance, which can lead to improved fuel efficiency. Therefore, the correct answer is A and B only.

Explanation

A four-wheel alignment has the benefits of increased tire life and increased fuel economy, if driving habits remain the same. By aligning all four wheels properly, it ensures that the tires wear evenly, reducing the risk of premature wear and extending their lifespan. Additionally, a properly aligned vehicle experiences less rolling resistance, which can lead to improved fuel efficiency. Therefore, the correct answer is A and B only.