Bridgestone Medium and Light Truck Tire Data Book - Sullivan Tire ...

Effective January 2010
General Technical Information
M. Wheel Alignment
Proper wheel alignment is essential for optimum tire
life and vehicle handling characteristics. Alignment
settings should be checked with the truck loaded.
Alignment adjustments can be made on an unloaded
truck; however, modifications in the vehicle
manufacturer’s alignment recommendations may be
required for proper “loaded” settings.
Front Axle Recommendations
• Toe-in: set as close to zero as vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations allow in loaded
condition. Do not set beyond zero, as a toe-out
condition will develop.
• Caster: set to the maximum positive setting
which the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations
will allow.
• Camber: set as close to zero degrees as the
vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations allow
in loaded condition.
Drive Axle Recommendations
Misalignment of the drive axles may also cause rapid
or irregular wear on the front axle as well as the
drive axle due to constant steering correction. Drive
axle alignment should be corrected before front axle
settings are made.
Drive axles should be aligned in the following manner:
1. Position drive axles perpendicular to the
chassis centerline.
2. For tandem drives, the drive axles should be
positioned parallel to one another.
If they are not parallel, the condition is referred to as
“tandem scrub.” Our recommendation is the distance
between the axle centers is set so the distance on the
right is equal to or greater than the distance on the left
by up to 1/8" (.125").
The distance on the axle centers on the right should
never be shorter than the distance on the left. The wear
pattern that will result from this situation is inside left
front/outside right front shoulder wear.
C L Tire
Toe-in (Positive) AB
Vertical C L
Toe-In
Caster
King Pin C L
Camber Angle in Degrees
Center Line of Tire
Vertical Line
Camber
Caster Angle
Front View
Medium Truck Light Truck General Technical Load/Inflation Technical Bulletins
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