Wheel alignment toe settings?

Cyber-Mav

Cyber-Mav

Cyber-Mav

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Just had a wheel alignment done and noticed the garage set the front toe to -1.2 for the fronts.
They showed me the gauges on the computer which sat in the middle showing it to be correct. But shouldnt toe be 0 on all wheels?
 
Generally cars have a small bit of toe in, as it helps stability in a straight line. You might see race cars with toe out as it aids turn in, but negatively impacts straight line stability.

As such road cars are always set up to err on the sides of caution, and typically fast turn in response isn't something utilised on a road.
 
If I am not mistaken on a lot of cars, the toe has a certain tolerance which usually can be anything between say -1.4 - +1.4 after adjustment for example. In my experience it's never been bang on 0 for me either, though always within the -/+ tolerance.

Liam.
 
Hi there

I've set a few cars up now:

Front toe: For a road car should ideally be around 0:05 positive (toe in) either side, or otherwise known as 5 minutes toe in per side with a total of 10 minutes toe in across the front axle. This will give a confident inspiring front-end, stable and won't react to every camber/crown change in the road. If you want the car to be more eager to turn and more alive then you reduce this toe in to around close to toe neutral at the front. For a track car to really encourage turn in (less steering input) you may add some toe out. A little toe out is also a favourite for garages offering fast road setups for hot hatches as the driver will notice it immediately as more responsive steering response but in a road car it can become tiring fast as roads are not smooth race tracks which is why a little toe in is always favourable on front axle.

Rear toe: For RWD and AWD more rear toe in within reason gives the rear axle more grip under both acceleration and turning, normally on a RWD or AWD car you aim for around 8-15 minutes toe in per side, or a total toe in of around 15-30 minutes across the rear axle. On a FWD car you run less toe in, but always toe in! Running toe out on the rear of any car makes heavy braking feel more unstable. I'd only ever run toe neutral or toe out on the rear of a RWD car for drifting as it will break traction under power easier.

Every driver is also different and an alignment if done properly will be done to your requirements and driving style/needs. :)
 
The readings were in the centre of the guages in the middle of the green area but showing -1.2 each side for the front toe. Should i complain to them to put it to 0? Car drives fine no pulling or wandering and steering is centered too.?
 
Cyber-Mav said:
The readings were in the centre of the guages in the middle of the green area but showing -1.2 each side for the front toe. Should i complain to them to put it to 0? Car drives fine no pulling or wandering and steering is centered too.?
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Toe impacts how sensitive steering is, if your happy then it is fine. :)

Post up the alignment sheet, easier to tell then.
 
i didnt get the printout since the printer was busted but they showed me on the screen.

iv done some digging and found this information on the car and how its suspension settings should be:

fiesta_alignment.png
 
Like I say you will be fine, within tolerances means tyre wear is fine, you then adjust to your driving style and if you like how it drives, then all is good. :)
 
kindai said:
Spin up in 4th bro, no problem :D

We have sunshine here today, fingers crossed for Saturday!
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I'm hoping for rain, I need damp conditions for any hope of staying ahead of you or Mac on Saturday. :D

Crazy to think out of us three my fast car is the slowest car, LOL.
 
Gibbo said:
I'm hoping for rain, I need damp conditions for any hope of staying ahead of you or Mac on Saturday. :D

Crazy to think out of us three my fast car is the slowest car, LOL.
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Hehe, probably the most expensive as well haha :D No idea what macs investment is, but guessing it would only be on par with yours at best?
 
kindai said:
Hehe, probably the most expensive as well haha :D No idea what macs investment is, but guessing it would only be on par with yours at best?
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He is a good 60-80k in on his Mustang I reckon.

Don't regret changing one bit though, the SVR like the Mustang gets thumbs up everywhere and it just deploys power like nothing else. :D
 
Gibbo said:
He is a good 60-80k in on his Mustang I reckon.

Don't regret changing one bit though, the SVR like the Mustang gets thumbs up everywhere and it just deploys power like nothing else. :D
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I'll have a cuppa waiting for you back at the start area after each run ;)




:D
 
It's at speed you notice the difference, and alignment settings account for this. Air will push the car down at speed and the tyres will be planted on the road at a different angle to normal town driving due to the downforce at play.
 
thats the thing im sure the computer was in degrees and i think 1.24 is excessive. i think the machine had supertracker written on it. im gonna have to get it double checked elsewhere to be on the safe side.
 
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