Vehicle camber: what it is, features, why it is needed

If the car is difficult to drive, especially when turning, the rubber wears quickly, probably the wheels have the wrong position relative to the body. It is necessary to check their ratio and correct the vehicle camber. Such service is necessary to drive the car safely. Otherwise, management will be difficult, the car will be heavily skidding on the turns, which is especially dangerous if the asphalt is wet or there is ice.

What is a vehicle camber

By camber mean the rotation of the wheels in relation to the vertical. They can be cambered at the top or bottom. Types of camber:

• A negative camber is formed when the topsides of the two wheels in front or behind are tilted more toward each other than the undersides.
• A positive camber is formed when a pair of wheels, front or rear, have their upper sides farther apart than their lower sides.
• Zero camber is when the wheels are parallel to each other in all sections. With this position of the wheels, the rubber wears as little as possible.

Toe is the position of the wheels in relation to the longitudinal line. They can be turned inwards or outwards, or stand flat. This has a stronger effect on rubber wear than camber. Types of toe:

• A positive toe means that the front sections of the wheels are closer together than the rear.
• A negative toe is formed when the back sides of the wheels are closer together than the front.

Features of vehicle camber

There are some warning signs which tell you that the vehicle camber is not working properly:

• When the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, when you turn the wheels make a squealing sound.
• You have to tilt the steering wheel slightly to steer the vehicle straight.
• If you let go of the steering wheel, the car will go sideways instead of straight.
• It is difficult to turn the steering wheel back to the original position after turning.

Vehicle camber is carried out on special equipment where optical sensors are installed. First, a computer diagnostics is performed, which gives the most accurate indicators. Then the camber is performed in accordance with the results of the test.

Why do you need to adjust the wheel camber

Driving safety depends on the accuracy of wheel alignment, and therefore the life and health of all road users. Therefore, at the first sign of wheel imbalance, contact a workshop.

Specialists recommend adjusting the wheels every 20 km. Vehicle camber is checked unscheduled, if while driving the wheel got into a pit, and the disc is deformed, when you often have to drive on unpaved roads and on rough asphalt. Wheel alignment will be needed when certain parts have been replaced: levers, steering rods and other mechanisms. The service station can tell you when a wheel alignment check is necessary. After replacing wheels, repairing shock absorbers or stabilizers, it is not necessary to adjust the vehicle camber.