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View Full Version : Can you help me read this alignment chart please



neoblue89lxi
01-05-2004, 04:38 PM
I got an alignment after I lowered my car and here is the chart. I am told front is fine thanks to the prelude arms but the rear is off. Is the rear very off to the point the tires wont last at all? What kind of rear camber kit would you all recommend? Tell me what caster and SAI mean I have no idea.

front left front right
actual before specified range CAMBER actual before range
-1.1 -1.1 -1.0 1.0 CASTER -1.2 -1.2 same as
0.0 0.0 -.5 1.5 TOE 0.8 0.8 other
-0.02 -0.91 -.12 .12 SAI 0.03 -0.89
7.5 7.5 INCLUDED ANGLE 8.3 8.3
6.4 6.4 TURNING ANGLE DIFF. 7.1 7.1


front
actual before specified range
CROSS CAMBER 0.1 0.1
CROSS CASTER -0.7 -0.7
CROSS SAI -0.8 -0.8
TOTAL TOE 0.00 -1.80 -0.24 0.24
CROSS TURN DIFF.


rear left rear right actual before specified range actual before specified range
-2.1 -2.1 -1.0 1.0 CAMBER -1.7 -1.7 -1.0 1.0
0.11 0.12 -0.08 0.08 TOE -0.09 -0.11 -0.08 0.08


rear
actual before specified range
CROSS CAMBER -0.5 -0.5
TOTAL TOE 0.02 0.00 -0.16 0.16
THRUST ANGLE 0.10 0.11

AZmike
01-06-2004, 03:13 AM
SAI is steering axis inclination (aka kingpin inclination). That's the angle that describes how much the axis that goes between the upper and lower ball joints tilts inward from vertical. This is around 6-8 degrees on most cars. It helps to make the steering more self-centering because it causes you to lift the front of the car slightly when turning.

Caster is the angle that describes how far the balljoint axis mentioned above tips backwards (more backwards is positive). Tipping this axis back more increases steering effort and makes the steering more self-centering while driving. The best thing about caster is that it can give you extra camber when you're turning. You can have a low static camber setting for even tire wear on the highway, but with a few degrees of negative caster your get a little camber when you need it--when you're cornering.

I have about .6 degrees negative camber at all corners and have very even tire wear. Anything beyond a degree positive or negative is probably too much, but the tire's sidewall stiffness makes a big difference. For instance, if you have low profile tires one degree may still be too much.

As far as reading your chart, the way it's displayed above is rather difficult to follow. What do you mean by 'same as' and 'other'? Maybe add slashes between each column so it's easier to follow. Would you be able to scan the printout or use a digital camera?