Collapse – is the tilt of the wheel in the vertical plane relative to the centerline of the car. It can be positive if the wheels are tilted outward, or negative if the wheels are tilted inward. The camber angle mainly affects the uniformity of wear of the front tires. If the camber of one wheel is positive and the other is negative, the car will pull to the side when driving straight.
Convergence – the lateral distance between the wheels. Positive toe-in means that the front wheels are closer together than the rear wheels, measured at the height of the wheel's midpoint. Negative toe-in means that the front wheels are further apart than the rear wheels.
Lateral tilt of the wheel pivot axis – this is the angle between the axis of inclination of the steering knuckle and the vertical drawn through the wheel attachment point, looking in the longitudinal direction of the car.
Due to the camber angles and the transverse tilt of the steering axis, the points of contact of the wheels with the road are located closer to the axis of the steering knuckle. This maintains the so-called "rolling shoulder". The smaller the "rolling shoulder", the easier the car is to control. Also, impacts from uneven surfaces are less transmitted to the steering.
Angle of longitudinal tilt of the turning axis. The axis relative to which the wheel turns is placed in space so that its lower part is tilted forward. Such an angle of longitudinal tilt is called positive. With a positive value of the angle, the self-return of the wheel to the middle position after turning is improved.
Checking and adjusting wheel alignment angles must be done at a maintenance station due to the complexity of the equipment used.
Conditions for checking wheel alignment angles
The tire pressure must be correct.
The car must be parked on a flat, horizontal surface.
The car must be empty, with the fuel tank half full.
Before checking the wheel alignment angles, shake the car body.
The steering must be in good working order and properly adjusted.
There should be no play in the steering rods. There should be no play in the wheel suspension.