2. Wheel installation consists of four components:
- a) Camber is the angle at which the front wheels deviate from the vertical line when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The collapse is considered "positive", when the tops of the wheels are deflected outward.
- b) Kingpin Pitch - The angle between the kingpin axis and the vertical line as viewed from the side of the vehicle. Longitudinal tilt of the kingpin "positive", when the top of the kingpin is tilted back.
- c) Kingpin lateral tilt - the angle between the vertical and an imaginary line drawn through the upper suspension strut mount and the ball joint of the lower suspension arm, or through the center of the kingpin bushings (if you look from the days of the car part).
- d) Convergence - the value at which the distance between the front Komi inner faces of the wheels (measure at hub height) different from the distance measured between diametrically opposite points.
3. With the exception of toe-in, the setting of the front wheel angles is done at the time the vehicle was manufactured, and adjustment of these items is not possible. It can be assumed, therefore, that if the vehicle has not been involved in an accident and the suspension components are in satisfactory condition, the preset kingpin angles will be correct. If there is any doubt about their accuracy, please contact your Opel dealer.
4. However, the motorist can check and adjust the toe of the front wheels. This will require a special template. There are two types of such templates, they can be purchased from spare parts stores. The first type measures the distance between the front and rear edges of the inner edges of the wheels (see above) on a stationary vehicle. The second type measures the actual position of the tire's contact surface relative to the road surface while the vehicle is in motion. The front wheel of the car is rolled over the template plate, which is slightly mixed. The amount of mixing is compared with the scale and the toe-in is determined. Although each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, they both give satisfactory results.
5. Make sure the steering gear is in the straight ahead position when taking measurements.
6. If adjustment is necessary, clean the tie rod ends near the adjustment pin and clamp bolts.
7. Loosen clamp bolts (one on the tie rod ball joints and one on each tie rod) and turn the adjusting pin on each tie rod the same number of turns in the same direction to achieve proper wheel alignment. Turn the pins only a quarter of a turn and check the toe again.
8. At the end of the adjustment, tighten the clamp bolts with the tightening torque specified specifications. Make sure the tie rods are now approximately the same length (the difference should not exceed 5 mm) and that the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position.
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