364 Auto Suspension and Steering Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. them to readouts that are displayed on a screen, Figure 17-7. Th e newest alignment machines use target boards instead of alignment heads. See Figure 17-8. High-resolution digital cameras, which are located in front of the vehicle and con- nected to the alignment console, monitor target board posi- tion and orientation. Aft er the target boards are attached to the rims, the vehicle is rolled backward and forward slightly to allow the console to compensate for wheel run- out. Once setup is complete, the alignment can be checked and adjusted by observing the screen readings and moving the appropriate suspension components to bring the read- ings within specifi cations. Some older, noncomputerized alignment machines use light beams to create readings on a stationary board. Th ese machines use heads that attach to the front wheels and are plugged into a power source that illuminates a bulb inside the head. Th e light passes through slits in the head and forms lines on a board mounted ahead of the rack. Th e position of these lines indicates the alignment. Later versions of these machines can be adapted to perform four-wheel alignments. Modern computer-operated alignment machines make use of sensing devices mounted on each wheel, Figure 17-6. Th e wheel-mounted sensing devices are usually called alignment heads, or simply heads. Th e heads contain infra- red light generators. Sensors mounted in each head precisely measure the infrared light beams from the other heads. Th e readings are sent to the machine’s computer, which converts Tire Trammel bar Stand Pointer Chevrolet Figure 17-3. Toe-in being checked with a trammel bar. These are not as accurate as an alignment machine. Toe-in indicator Toyota Figure 17-4. Checking toe using a drive-over plate. Bubble gauge Spindle Ammco Figure 17-2. A caster bubble gauge mounted to the spindle. Vereshchagin Dmitry/Shutterstock.com Figure 17-5. One particular drive-on alignment rack. ThamKC/Shutterstock.com Figure 17-6. An electronic alignment head mounted on a vehicle. Handle these units carefully if dropped, they can be easily damaged.
Auto Suspension and Steering, 5th Edition, Online Textbook Page 364 (386 of 511)
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364 Auto Suspension and Steering Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. them to readouts that are displayed on a screen, Figure 17-7. Th e newest alignment machines use target boards instead of alignment heads. See Figure 17-8. High-resolution digital cameras, which are located in front of the vehicle and con- nected to the alignment console, monitor target board posi- tion and orientation. Aft er the target boards are attached to the rims, the vehicle is rolled backward and forward slightly to allow the console to compensate for wheel run- out. Once setup is complete, the alignment can be checked and adjusted by observing the screen readings and moving the appropriate suspension components to bring the read- ings within specifi cations. Some older, noncomputerized alignment machines use light beams to create readings on a stationary board. Th ese machines use heads that attach to the front wheels and are plugged into a power source that illuminates a bulb inside the head. Th e light passes through slits in the head and forms lines on a board mounted ahead of the rack. Th e position of these lines indicates the alignment. Later versions of these machines can be adapted to perform four-wheel alignments. Modern computer-operated alignment machines make use of sensing devices mounted on each wheel, Figure 17-6. Th e wheel-mounted sensing devices are usually called alignment heads, or simply heads. Th e heads contain infra- red light generators. Sensors mounted in each head precisely measure the infrared light beams from the other heads. Th e readings are sent to the machine’s computer, which converts Tire Trammel bar Stand Pointer Chevrolet Figure 17-3. Toe-in being checked with a trammel bar. These are not as accurate as an alignment machine. Toe-in indicator Toyota Figure 17-4. Checking toe using a drive-over plate. Bubble gauge Spindle Ammco Figure 17-2. A caster bubble gauge mounted to the spindle. Vereshchagin Dmitry/Shutterstock.com Figure 17-5. One particular drive-on alignment rack. ThamKC/Shutterstock.com Figure 17-6. An electronic alignment head mounted on a vehicle. Handle these units carefully if dropped, they can be easily damaged.
