Brochure

Setback: The angle formed between a centerline and a
line perpendicular to the front axle.
Shim: Thin material of fiber or metallic makeup used to
take up clearance between two parts.
Shimmy: A violent shake or oscillation of the front
wheels transmitted up to the steering wheel.
Shock Absorber: A suspension component used to
dampen spring oscillation.
Solid Axle Suspension: A suspension system
consisting of one steel or aluminum I-beam extended the
width of the vehicle.
Short Long Arm (SLA): An independent suspension
design incorporating unequal length control arms.
Spindle: A component on which a wheel and tir e
assembly rotates.
Stability: The tendency of a vehicle to maintain a
directed course.
Stabilizer: A steel bar used to minimize body r oll.
Steering Axis Inclination: The angle formed by
an imaginar
y line drawn through the steering axis
versus vertical.
Steering Gear: A mechanical device used to convert the
rotary motion at the steering wheel to a lateral motion.
Steering Shaft: A tube or r
od, which interconnects the
steering wheel to a lateral motion.
Strut: Any support used between two parts.
Suspension: An assembly used to support weight,
absorb and dampen shock, help maintain tire contact and
proper wheel to chassis relationship.
Suspension Height: The specified distance between
one or more points on a vehicle to the road surface.
Tandem Lateral Offset: When the geometric centerline
does not cross the midpoint of all axles.
Tandem Scrub Angle: The angle formed by the
intersection of horizontal lines drawn through each rear
axle when total toe and the offset is zero.
Thrust Angle: The angle formed by thrustline and
geometric centerline.
Thrustline: A bisector of rear total toe.
Tie Rod Assembly: The outer most assemblies on a
parallelogram steering linkage. These assemblies are
attached to the drag link and Ackerman Arms.
Tie Rod End: The ball and socket assembly of a tie rod.
Tie Rod Sleeve: A threaded tube that provides connection
and adjustment of a tie rod assembly
.
T
ire Force Variation: A tire irregularity, in which there
is a difference in radial stiffness about the circumfer ence
of the tire.
T
oe: The comparison of a horizontal line drawn through
both wheels of the same axle.
Turning Angle: The difference in the turning angle of the
front wheels in a turn.
Torsion Bar: A spring steel bar used in place of a
coil spring.
Tracking: The interrelated paths taken by the front and
rear wheels.
Treadwidth: The dimension as measured between the
centerlines of the wheels on the same axle.
Treadwear Indicators: Ridges molded between the ribs
of the tread that visibly indicate a worn tire.
Under Inflation: Air pressure below that which
is specified.
Understeer: A characteristic in which a vehicle has a
tendency to turn less than the driver intends.
Vertical: Being exactly upright or plumb.
Vibration: To constantly oscillate at a specific frequency.
Waddle: The lateral movement of a vehicle, usually caused
by some type of tire or wheel imperfection.
Wander: The tendency of a vehicle to drift to either side of
its directed course.
Wheelbase: The dimension as measured between the
center of the front and rear axles.
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