Camber angle measures the angle of a tire in relation to the vertical axis of the tire when viewed from the front or rear of a vehicle. It affects how a vehicle handles and is taken into account when designing a suspension system. Adjustment may be required if the vehicle’s suspension is raised or lowered, parts are replaced, or the vehicle is in an accident. Positive camber is used in many non-automotive applications.
Camber angle is a measurement used in aligning automobile wheels. Refers to the angle of a tire in relation to the vertical axis of the tire when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. If the bottom of the tire is further away from the vehicle than the top, it can be said to have negative camber. If the top of the tire is further from the vehicle than the bottom, it can be said to have positive camber. A wheel that is perfectly vertical would have zero camber.
Camber angle directly affects how a vehicle handles and is taken into account when designing a suspension system. An incorrect lean angle can lead to a variety of undesirable consequences, such as improper tread wear or poor handling. Lean angle is just one of many variables that affect how a particular vehicle handles.
A tire with zero camber, or a tire that is perfectly vertical when viewed from the front, can impart advantages to a vehicle with straight-line acceleration. This is because a tire with zero camber will have the most ground contact when moving in a straight line. A negative lean angle will give similar advantages when turning. That’s why vehicle manufacturers will generally strike a balance between the two, depending on the vehicle’s intended use.
Camber is a measurement that will typically be taken when checking a vehicle’s alignment, although not all vehicles allow for adjustment. Cars with McPherson strut suspensions generally have a fixed camber, although some allow adjustment to be made where the struts bolt to the knuckles or hubs. Vehicles with a double wishbone suspension allow for adjustment in many more applications. Adjustment may be required if the vehicle’s suspension is raised or lowered, parts are replaced, or the vehicle is in an accident.
Although negative camber can be instrumental in the handling of many vehicles, positive camber is used in many non-automotive applications. Slow moving off-road vehicles, such as tractors, will often have a positive lean angle to decrease turning effort. Positive pitch is also sometimes used in the “taildragger” type landing gear of aircraft designed to take off and land on rough, unimproved surfaces. Positive camber can be undesirable, or even dangerous, in automotive applications, but it can have a desirable effect in the right applications.
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