Q&A

What is a thrust alignment?

What is a thrust alignment?

A thrust alignment combines a front-end alignment with a thrust alignment to ensure all four wheels are squared with one another. This type of alignment is usually recommended for vehicles with a solid rear axle.

Can thrust angle be adjusted?

The thrust angle is the angle between where the rear are directed and the centerline of the vehicle. The only way to adjust the thrust angle is through adjustable rear CAs. Why are you concerned with it? It is usually zero, unless you want to preload the steering to one side as in oval racing.

What happens if rear thrust angle is misaligned?

A misaligned thrust angle may also cause diagonal wear on the rear tires and increase the chance the vehicle pulls or drifts to one direction. To eliminate the thrust angle, realigning the rear axle or rear toe is necessary. If bent or damaged parts are responsible, these must be replaced.

How much does a thrust alignment cost?

A thrust-angle alignment can cost between $49 and $79, and a four-wheel alignment from $89 up. It takes a lot to knock your car out of alignment; your average run-of-the-mill pothole won’t do it.

How do you know if you need a rear wheel alignment?

Here are some common signs that you are dealing with wheels with poor alignment:

  1. Vehicle pulling to the left or right.
  2. Uneven or rapid tire wear.
  3. Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight.
  4. Squealing tires.

What causes bad thrust angle?

An incorrect thrust angle is often caused by an out-of-position axle or incorrect toe settings. So in addition to the handling quirks that are the result of incorrect toe settings, thrust angles can also cause the vehicle to handle differently when turning one direction vs. the other.

What do you need to know about thrust angle during alignment?

It is one of the most important diagnostic angles during an alignment. To measure the thrust angle on a vehicle, you have to perform a four-wheel alignment. Even if the rear axle is non-adjustable, you need to take rear axle readings to properly align the front suspension.

What causes an axle offset and thrust angle?

Thrust Angle and Vehicle Alignment. Axle offset occurs when the rear axle cocks sideways, causing both rear tires to point in the wrong direction. Like a forklift, if the rear tires point to the left, the vehicle will steer to the right. This condition is typically caused by a broken leaf spring center bolt or problems with the shackle.

What does the thrust line on a car mean?

But, the thrust line is a very important angle that can help you diagnose other problems. If the rear live axle vehicle has a greater than normal angle, thrust angle is an indication that the axle has shifted or the mounting points on the frame have shifted. To get a better picture of the damage, look at the setback of the front wheels.

Is the thrust line parallel to the centerline?

“The thrust line should run parallel to the vehicle’s geometric centerline.” Thrust angle is therefore a degree measurement of the angle off of this imaginary centerline between the front and rear axles of the vehicle.