There
is a perfect angle for every part of a machine. If the angle of a
part is not at its optimum it will lead to premature wear, damage and
even total collapse of a mechanism. You may not have put thought into
how important the smallest of details can be, but designers do. That
is what makes it possible for machines to be at their functional
best.
There
are perfect angles to every part in a car as well. The tyres, the
steering, the engine it all comes with geometric precision. Keeping
these angels in their precise position paves the way for a smooth
functioning vehicle. Especially the alignment settings of a vehicle
wrought with angles require regular maintenance. It should be checked
periodically to keep misalignment from causing irregular wear to the
tyres. For regular alignment checks of your vehicle visit Wheel Alignment Coventry. They are experts equipped with best in
industry machines that check wheel alignment on vehicles.
Let
us look at some of the angles that are essential in maintaining the
wheel’s alignment.
Camber.
Wheels
on a vehicle are not parallel to the ground. They are set at an angle
by the manufacturer to ensure optimum handling. One of these angles
is the camber angle. The camber angle is the one that decides whether
the wheel’s tops are angled away from the body of the vehicle or
towards it. If the wheels were to be positioned parallel to each
other steering it would be a nightmare. So keeping the camber angle
at the manufacturer’s recommend angle is necessary.
Toe.
The
toe angle similarly is the angle the wheels point in. When the wheels
point in the precise direction of the vehicle nominal steering inputs
while driving would lead to insanely exaggerated effects. To reduce
this the toe angle is inwards for passenger vehicles. The angle is
set by the manufacturer depending on the design of the vehicle and so
needs to be kept in check. The better the maintenance of the toe
angle the better will be the handling of the vehicle.
Caster.
The
caster angle is the angle at which the steering mechanism joins the
wheels. The caster angle is the determining factor behind the wheels
returning to their original position after cornering. The caster
angle is essential in maintaining a balance between the wheels and
the steering. The caster angle can be affected by big potholes and
problems in the caster itself. So regular check-ups of wheel
alignment should be performed to ensure that its optimum position is
maintained.
Now
that you know the different angles let us look at what can be done to
keep in their position and avoid misaligned wheels.
Avoid
speeding on bad roads.
Despite
all the claims and efforts of the government, roads develop potholes.
When you drive your vehicle through them at high speeds you not only
overwork the suspension but also put your wheel’s alignment at
risk. So it is best to slow down when you see a road riddled with
potholes.
Not
getting the alignment checked.
With
even the most careful driving on the smoothest roads, the wheels will
eventually lose their intended alignment angles. Therefore is it
advisable to get the alignment checked with every maintenance
service. The more attention you pay to the maintenance of your
vehicle’s alignment the longer your tyres will last.
Signs
that your wheel may be out of alignment.
The
first and foremost sign will be the drifting of your vehicle to one
side of the road. Other signs that may follow are:
-
A bumpy ride.
-
Changes in the steering response.
-
Vibration in the steering.
-
Irregular wear on the tyres.
If
you see or notice any of these signs, the time for a wheel alignment
check is upon you. Checking the wheel alignment takes no more than
fifteen minutes. However, fixing it will depend on the cause and the
amount of damage to the part that caused the wheel to go out of
alignment. Remember worn tyres can cause a failed MOT. So be
attentive and avoid bills. For a comfortable MOT check visit Central
Point MOT.
No comments:
Post a Comment