Diagnosis And Testing - Pre-Alignment; Standard Procedures - Alignment I.f.s.; Alignment Angles - Link/Coil - Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

2 - 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Continued)
1 - WHEEL CENTERLINE
2 - NEGATIVE CAMBER ANGLE
3 - PIVOT CENTERLINE
4 - SCRUB RADIUS
5 - TRUE VERTICAL
OPERATION
• CASTER is the forward or rearward tilt of the
steering knuckle from vertical. Tilting the top of the
knuckle rearward provides positive caster. Tilting the
top of the knuckle forward provides negative caster.
Caster is a directional stability angle which enables
the front wheels to return to a straight ahead posi-
tion after turns.
• CAMBER is the inward or outward tilt of the
wheel relative to the center of the vehicle. Tilting the
top of the wheel inward provides negative camber.
Tilting the top of the wheel outward provides positive
camber. Incorrect camber will cause wear on the
inside or outside edge of the tire.
• WHEEL TOE POSITION is the difference
between the leading inside edges and trailing inside
edges of the front tires. Incorrect wheel toe position
is the most common cause of unstable steering and
uneven tire wear. The wheel toe position is the final
front wheel alignment adjustment.
Fig. 2 Alignment Angles - Link/Coil
6 - KING PIN
7 - VERTICAL
8 - POSITIVE CASTER

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PRE-ALIGNMENT

Before starting wheel alignment, the following
inspection and necessary corrections must be com-
pleted. Refer to Suspension and Steering System
Diagnosis Chart for additional information.
(1) Inspect tires for size and tread wear.
(2) Set tire air pressure.
(3) Inspect front wheel bearings for wear.
(4) Inspect front wheels for excessive radial or lat-
eral runout and balance.
(5) Inspect ball studs, linkage pivot points and
steering gear for looseness, roughness or binding.
(6) Inspect suspension components for wear and
noise.
(7) Road test the vehicle.

STANDARD PROCEDURES - ALIGNMENT I.F.S.

Before each alignment reading the vehicle should
be jounced (rear first, then front). Grasp each
bumper at the center and jounce the vehicle up and
BR/BE