[1] The purpose of these adjustments is to reduce tire wear and to ensure that vehicle travel is straight and true (without "pulling" to one side).
Motorsport and off-road applications may call for angles to be adjusted well beyond normal, for a variety of reasons.
There are some car models with different factory setting for right and left side wheelbase length, for various design reasons.
A camera unit (sometimes called a "head") is attached to a specially designed clamp which holds on to a wheel.
The tires get deformed due to bending and the contact area between the wheels and the ground decreases.
This in turns decreases the frictional force between the outer tires and the ground, causing the vehicle to drift during cornering.
These systems utilise fixed heads attached simply to, or hung from each wheel, projecting laser beams to measure angles and positions.
While generally considered less precise than newer technologies, laser systems are often praised for their robustness and reliability, making them a suitable choice for certain applications.
These systems employ cameras, either integrated into the main unit or attached to the wheel-mounted heads, to capture measurements.
This computerised approach allows for the detection of even minor deviations from recommended settings, enhancing accuracy compared to purely laser-based systems.
Employing advanced three-dimensional imaging technology, these systems rapidly capture a comprehensive picture of wheel angles and positions.
Like CCD systems, 3D aligners rely on a vehicle database for comparison and offer exceptional speed and accuracy, capable of identifying the smallest misalignments.
While convenient, portable systems may not achieve the same level of accuracy as their larger, stationary counterparts.