Chrysler 300/300 Touring/300C, Dodge Magnum. Instruction - page 62

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

DESCRIPTION

Vehicle wheel alignment is the positioning of all interrelated front and rear suspension angles. These angles affect
the handling and steering of the vehicle when it is in motion. Proper wheel alignment is essential for efficient steer-
ing, good directional stability, and proper tire wear.

The method of checking a vehicle’s front and rear wheel alignment varies depending on the manufacturer and type
of equipment used. The manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed to ensure accuracy of the alignment,
except when DaimlerChrysler Corporation’s wheel alignment specifications differ.

On this vehicle, the suspension angles that can be adjusted are as follows:

FRONT:

Camber (with cradle shift/service adjustment bolt package)

Caster (with cradle shift/service adjustment bolt package)

Toe

REAR:

Toe

Check the wheel alignment and make all wheel alignment adjustments with the vehicle standing at its proper curb
height specification. Curb height is the normal riding height of the vehicle. It is measured from a certain point on the
vehicle to the ground or a designated area while the vehicle is sitting on a flat, level surface. Refer to Curb Height
Measurement in this section for additional information.

Typical wheel alignment angles and measurements are described in the following paragraphs.

CAMBER

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the top of the
tire and wheel assembly. Inward tilt (2) is negative
camber. Outward tilt (1) is positive camber. Camber is
measured in degrees of angle relative to a true verti-
cal line. Camber is a tire wearing angle.

Excessive negative camber will cause tread wear
at the inside of the tire.

Excessive positive camber will cause tread wear
on the outside of the tire.

CROSS CAMBER

Cross camber is the difference between left and right
camber. To achieve the cross camber reading, sub-
tract the right side camber reading from the left. For
example, if the left camber is +0.3° and the right cam-
ber is 0.0°, the cross camber would be +0.3°.

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WHEEL ALIGNMENT

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CASTER

Caster is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering
knuckle in reference to the position of the upper and
lower ball joints. Caster is measured in degrees of
angle relative to a true vertical center line. This line is
viewed from the side of the tire and wheel assembly.

Forward tilt (upper ball joint ahead of lower)
results in a negative caster angle.

Rearward tilt (upper ball joint trailing lower)
results in a positive caster angle.

Although caster does not affect tire wear, a caster
imbalance between the two front wheels may cause
the vehicle to lead to the side with the least positive
caster.

CROSS CASTER

Cross caster is the difference between left and right
caster.

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WHEEL ALIGNMENT

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TOE

Toe is the inward or outward angle of the wheels as
viewed from above the vehicle.

Toe-in (1) is produced when the front edges of
the wheels on the same axle are closer together
than the rear edges.

Toe-out (2) is produced when the front edges of
the wheels on the same axle are farther apart
than the rear edges.

Toe-in and toe-out can occur at the front wheels and
the rear wheels.

Toe is measured in degrees or inches. The measure-
ment identifies the amount that the front of the wheels
point inward (toe-in) or outward (toe-out). Toe is mea-
sured at the spindle height. Zero toe means the front
and rear edges of the wheels on the same axle are
equally distant.

TOE-OUT ON TURNS

Toe-out on turns is the relative positioning of the front
wheels while steering through a turn. This compen-
sates for each front wheel’s turning radius. As the
vehicle encounters a turn, the outboard wheel must
travel in a larger radius circle than the inboard wheel.
The steering system is designed to make each wheel
follow its particular radius circle. To accomplish this,
the front wheels must progressively toe outward as
the steering is turned from center. This eliminates tire
scrubbing and undue tire wear when steering a vehi-
cle through a turn.

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