When performing wheel alignment, which are the three primary adjustment angles?

• A. Camber, toe, and caster
• B. Toe, thrust, and camber
• C. Pitch, yaw, and roll
• D. Alignment angles vary by vehicle

Answer: (A)

In wheel alignment, the three primary adjustment angles are camber, toe, and caster. These angles determine how each wheel sits relative to the vehicle and the road, and they directly affect tire contact and handling.

Camber is the tilt of the wheel from top to bottom when viewed from the front or rear. If the top of the wheel leans inward too much (negative camber) or outward too much (positive camber), it changes how much of the tire tread stays in contact during cornering, which impacts grip and tire wear.

Toe refers to whether the wheels point inward or outward relative to the vehicle’s centerline. Proper toe keeps the wheels tracking straight, promoting stable straight-line performance and even tire wear. Too much toe-in or toe-out causes tire scrubbing and quick wear, or instability.

Caster is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side. Positive caster adds steering feel and stability, helping the wheel return to center after turning. If caster is off, steering effort can become heavy or the vehicle may wander and feel unstable at speed.

These three are the primary adjustments because they directly control the tire contact patch and how the vehicle steers and tracks. Other concepts mentioned, like thrust angle or the broader axes of pitch, yaw, and roll, relate to different aspects of vehicle geometry or 3D orientation rather than the core wheel alignment adjustments.