What is Toe alignment (Tracking)?
What is Toe Alignment?
Toe alignment refers to the angle at which a car’s wheels point relative to the centerline of the vehicle when viewed from above. The two primary toe settings are:
Toe-In: The front edges of the wheels point inward toward the car’s centerline.
Toe-Out: The front edges of the wheels point outward, away from the car’s centerline.
A perfectly neutral alignment, where the wheels are parallel to each other, is referred to as zero toe. Toe adjustments are crucial for optimizing a car’s handling characteristics, tire wear, and overall stability.
How Does Toe Alignment Work?
When a vehicle is in motion, forces act on the tires, causing them to naturally splay outward or inward depending on the suspension geometry. Toe settings help counteract these forces to maintain optimal tire contact with the road. The right toe alignment enhances steering response and stability, particularly during cornering and high-speed driving.
In performance driving, toe adjustments can be fine-tuned to suit specific track conditions, vehicle setups, and driver preferences. However, the benefits of toe alignment vary based on the degree of adjustment and the intended use of the vehicle.
The Pros and Cons of Toe-In
Pros:
Improved Straight-Line Stability:
Toe-in helps keep the wheels aligned during straight-line driving, enhancing stability and reducing wandering.
Reduced Oversteer:
By increasing rear-end stability, toe-in minimizes the tendency of the rear wheels to slide out during cornering.
Predictable Handling:
Toe-in settings create a more controlled and predictable driving experience, particularly at high speeds.
Cons:
Increased Tire Wear:
Excessive toe-in causes scrubbing, leading to uneven and accelerated tire wear on the outer edges.
Reduced Cornering Agility:
Too much toe-in can make the vehicle feel less responsive when turning, which may hinder performance in tight corners.
The Pros and Cons of Toe-Out
Pros:
Enhanced Cornering Grip:
Toe-out improves the vehicle’s ability to turn into corners by allowing the wheels to point more naturally during steering.
Improved Steering Response:
The increased agility provided by toe-out settings benefits vehicles used in autocross or tight circuit racing.
Reduced Understeer:
Toe-out helps counteract understeer, making the front end of the car more responsive during aggressive driving.
Cons:
Decreased Straight-Line Stability:
Toe-out can cause the car to feel twitchy or unstable during straight-line driving, especially at high speeds.
Increased Tire Wear:
Similar to toe-in, excessive toe-out leads to scrubbing, which accelerates tire wear on the inner edges.
How to Find the Right Toe Setting
The ideal toe alignment depends on the type of vehicle, driving conditions, and intended use. Below are some general guidelines:
Track Use:
Performance cars often benefit from slight toe-out settings at the front for improved turn-in response, while the rear may use slight toe-in for stability.
Street Use:
For everyday driving, a neutral or minimal toe-in setting is recommended to balance tire wear and straight-line stability.
Mixed Use:
Drivers who use their cars for both track and street driving should opt for mild toe adjustments that provide a balance between agility and tire longevity.
Tools for Measuring and Adjusting Toe Alignment
Accurate toe alignment requires specialised tools such as:
Toe Plates: Simple and effective for measuring toe angles but can be a little inaccurate.
Laser Alignment Systems: High-precision tools used by professionals to ensure exact adjustments.
Tracking Rail: a simple bar that uses a precision rule to measure toe settings in mm, we make one for use by hobbyists and use at the track side, you can find it here
Regularly checking and adjusting toe settings is essential for maintaining optimal performance and preventing unnecessary tire wear.
Conclusion
Toe alignment is a vital factor in vehicle performance, affecting everything from tire wear to cornering capability. Adjusting toe-in enhances straight-line stability and reduces oversteer but can lead to increased tire wear. On the other hand, toe-out improves cornering grip and steering response at the expense of straight-line stability and tire longevity.
Finding the right toe setting requires a careful balance based on your driving style and vehicle use. Whether you’re preparing a race car for the track or optimizing a street car for daily driving, precise toe alignment is key to achieving the best results.