Tuesday 16 September 2008

Camber,Castor,Toe-in and K.P.I.






The four things that govern front wheel alignment, so your driving a J and not a wonky wheeled shopping trolley.
Correct Camber and Castor is pre-set and would only alter if the front axle is bent or you have forgotten to fit the aluminium wedges under the leaf springs.

K.P.I. King Pin Inclination is machined into the castings and would only alter if the king pins or bushes were badly worn. So regular greasing is very important. Always make sure clean grease comes out of both top and bottom of each bush.
The main adjustment is of course Toe-in.
J types toe-in 3mm, a method of checking and adjusting toe-in is in the workshop manuel and is easy to do. You could try taking your J to a tyre fitting bay that also does wheel alignment but you will find they will ask you the degree angle of toe in not a measurement in millimeters. They will guess the adjustment.
Do it yourself by the book or get a plastic drive on tracking plate for about £25.
Did you know that the type of front axle on J type is called a reverse Elliot? Why? Because the king pins incline inwards but the road wheels incline outwards.