Re: alignment specs

["Jonas Karlsson" <jonas85k@hotmail.com>]

>From: SailingFC@aol.com
>jonas85k@hotmail.com writes:
>
>>Second, no it's not half the wheel. Total toe is measured as the 
>>difference in destance between the leading and the trailing edge of the 
>>tire. The full diameter.

>I think Eric and Jonas are right.
>You see it's based on your point of reference.
>If you measure in degrees, it doesn't matter if you use the whole wheel or 
>half the diameter.  An angle is an angle, whether you measure >it close to 
>the pivot or ten feet from the pivot, it's still the same >angle.

Right, an angle is an angle, but when using trig to calculate angles you 
need a right triangle. I know you know, but this is where the confusion 
starts and what I was trying to explain above. When someone says "1/16th 
inch toe out per side" this is the difference in distance between the front 
edge and the trailing edge of the tire to the center line of the car. This 
is the Opposite leg of the triangle (to the Angle), and the Hypotenuse then 
has to be the outer diameter of the wheel. So if you use only half the 
diameter, then the calculation would be incorrect. Something I wouldn't know 
anything about. :-)

Anyway, I picked up a good book called "how to make your car handle" it is 
pretty good and covers all areas of suspension design and adjustments, with 
applications from street cars to Formula race cars. Great reading and 
educational too.

For instance, to measure bump steer, measure the change in toe througout the 
range of travel of the wheel. (this necessitates removal of spring and 
shock, so it's not easily done on our cars)

Jonas
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