Wheel Alignment: Reading Specifications

The chart below contains different methods that manufacturers use for displaying wheel alignment angles. The specifications in the chart are for the front of the vehicle. Caster is a stability angle, measured in degrees. There is no caster setting for the rear of a vehicle.

The caster in this vehicle is four degrees plus or minus one-half degrees (.5°). The vehicle's actual caster angles are within specifications. The camber angle is read one degree plus or minus 30 minutes. The (') or minutes symbol is used to view or represent angles, just like an actual clock. The thirty minutes reading equals one-half degree. Notice the 45' or forty-five minute reading for the RF. It is equal to .75° (decimal degrees). The specifications for toe are in fractions of an inch. It is negative one-quarter of an inch plus or minus one-eighth of an inch. If there is no negative sign preceding the number, it is assumed positive. The vehicle in the chart is within specifications.