Track adjustment

Adjusting Toe: A Do-It-Yourself Guide

You know the situation: the tire wears unevenly, the steering wheel is slightly off-center, and the car pulls to the left or right. Adjusting toe and camber can remedy this problem, which can otherwise have a significant impact on driving dynamics. Toe refers to the position of the left and right wheels in relation to each other, while camber describes the angle of the tire relative to the road surface. In the following article, you will learn how to check toe and camber yourself and which tools you need to do so.

Author:Adrian Starr
Position:Sales
Last updated: 21 November 2023

Basic knowledge of toe and camber

Toe refers to the angle at which the left and right wheels on the same axle are aligned in relation to each other. If both wheels are perfectly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, this is referred to as zero toe. If the front edges of the wheels point inward and would roll toward each other, this is called toe-in. If the front edges point outward and would roll away from each other, this is called toe-out.

Zero toe is not the usual setting – most vehicles are designed with either toe-in or toe-out.

Rear-wheel drive vehicles: toe-in (inward tendency)
Front-wheel drive vehicles: toe-out (outward tendency)

What symptoms occur if toe is incorrectly adjusted?

If toe is significantly misaligned, the vehicle will tend to pull to one side. If you let go of the steering wheel while driving, the car will no longer track straight but drift to the left or right. Many drivers unconsciously compensate for this behavior with steering input, which often results in uneven tire wear.

Depending on the vehicle, the specified toe setting is only a matter of minutes of angle. As a result, even minor impacts can alter toe settings. Strong contact with a curb or driving through deep potholes can easily cause misalignment. If the steering wheel position changes after such an impact, the wheel alignment should be checked.

To assess tire wear or damage, tread wear indicators (TWIs) are very helpful. TWIs are integrated into the tire tread and are easy to locate. Arrow markings on the tire sidewall indicate their position, even when the tire is heavily worn.

The remaining tread depth is measured at the longitudinal grooves where the indicators are embedded. These indicate whether the tire is still roadworthy. Tread depth must be uniform across the entire width of the tire; otherwise, the tire is unevenly loaded and worn. Correct toe adjustment can restore proper wheel alignment.

Toe adjustment on vintage cars

Properly adjusted toe improves road grip and is clearly noticeable in driving behavior. The vehicle runs more smoothly and steering response becomes more precise. Correct toe settings also enhance safety. Classic vehicles in particular benefit from comfortable handling and accurate steering. A comprehensive explanation of wheel alignment can be found in specialist publications by Vogel-Verlag.

Toe adjustment: precisely setting the front axle

Adjusting toe may sound complex at first, but in practice it is not particularly difficult. Doing the work yourself helps you better understand the vehicle and how its components interact. In addition to the damage scenarios described above, toe adjustment is always necessary after work on the front axle.

Axle or chassis adjustments are not part of routine vehicle maintenance. They become necessary only after incidents such as hitting a deep pothole or curb, which can distort the vehicle geometry. Correct alignment improves handling and prevents uneven tire wear.

All vehicle geometry work starts with tires in good condition. First check tire pressure and set it according to manufacturer specifications. If tires are heavily or unevenly worn, they must be replaced before any measurements are taken. Damaged tires make accurate axle adjustment impossible. Please pay attention to the following points:

Low tire pressure
Low pressure causes excessive flexing inside the tire structure. This increases rolling resistance, accelerates tire wear and raises fuel consumption.
Excessive tire pressure
Overinflated tires reduce the contact patch with the road, decreasing grip and accelerating wear.
Sawtooth wear (sawtooth pattern)

If you run your hand over the tire tread and feel a step-like resistance in one direction, the tire has developed sawtooth wear. This is usually caused by imprecise wheel guidance due to worn suspension components, including shock absorbers. This defect must be corrected before chassis adjustment makes sense.

Toe adjustment: tools and measuring devices

Even without professional workshop equipment, there are several tools and measuring devices that allow hobby mechanics to adjust toe settings. Below, we explain the characteristics of various tools and whether they are suitable for classic and collector vehicles.

Tip: In some cases, toe misalignment is caused by worn chassis components. Repairs can then become complex and costly. If you are not fully confident in the diagnosis or repair, consult a specialist workshop for a complete chassis inspection.

Toe adjustment: quick checks using a measuring plate

The 9 mm measuring plate is a professional, fully mechanical tool that allows quick detection of toe deviation without batteries. A pointer and scale display the exact amount of deviation.

Place the measuring device on a flat, level surface in front of the wheel being measured. Roll the vehicle back and forth several times to settle the suspension, then gently rock all four corners to release tension. Finally, roll straight forward 2–3 meters without turning the steering wheel.

Slowly drive straight onto the measuring plate without braking or steering until the wheel is centered. Apply the handbrake and use wheel chocks if necessary. If the pointer moves into the red zone, toe adjustment is required.

If toe values differ significantly between the left and right front wheels, possible causes include:

Sloping measurement surface
Different tire pressures
Tires subjected to unequal impacts
Worn wheel bearings

If repeated measurements on the same wheel produce different results, possible causes include:

Uneven ground
Steering wheel movement during measurement
Jerky vehicle movement
Vehicle not properly leveled before measurement
Suspension not settled before measurement
Vehicle rolling backward during measurement
Worn wheel bearings
Heavy or uneven tire wear
Incorrect tire pressure

Tip: Placing a board or metal plate of similar thickness to the measuring plate under the opposite tire improves measurement accuracy by compensating for height differences.

Toe adjustment: high-precision laser measurement

Professional wheel alignment systems use laser technology to precisely determine and adjust toe values. Most systems work reliably on vehicles with at least 100 mm ground clearance and wheel sizes up to 22 inches.

Measurements are taken in degrees and minutes (1 degree = 60 minutes) and compared with manufacturer specifications. Laser-based measurement is also suitable for classic vehicles. Sensors mounted on each wheel measure their position and distance to the other sensors, calculating the required adjustments from this data.

Camber adjustment: checking axle geometry

With many axle designs, such as rigid axles, camber cannot be adjusted. With swing axles, camber depends on vehicle load. Modern axle designs define camber values under specific load conditions. These values can be checked using a camber gauge.

The vehicle must be parked on a flat, level surface. Magnetic camber gauges attach to brake discs, for example. Essentially, a camber gauge is a spirit level and is ideal for comparing left/right or before/after measurements.

Conclusion: set the track with the right tool

It doesn't always have to be the specialist workshop if you have some knowledge and manual skills yourself. With the right measuring tool, you can adjust the toe and check the camber. An ideally adjusted chassis rewards you with longer tires and more precise steering, more traction, safety and driving pleasure - whether with the new car or the classic.

FAQ

Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions at a glance.

Where does a warped Track at the car?

An incorrectly set track can have several reasons:

Collision with potholes
Riding on curbs
Working on the car, e.g. replacing Chassis components

What is the point of an ideally set track?

A correctly set track ensures a more precise steering and better traction. An iideal wheel alignment is therefore indispensable for more driving pleasure and safety. The fuel consumption also remains within the usual limits.

What tools do I need to set the track?

poss. a tire pressure gauge
a measuring device or laser technology to measure the track
a wheel camber to also check the camber

Is wheel alignment a standard service in garages

Yes, most tire shops have measuring platforms with which the vehicle and its Have the axle adjustment checked. It's always worth taking a close look at the tire profile to discover wear. With correct alignment you can save money on a new set of tyres.

What about collector's vehicles?

Checking the track should be part of the annual check for your classic car, because only with ideal track or camber can you really enjoy the driving pleasure thanks to pleasant handling and precise steering.

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