Wheel Alignment - Taught By a Shop Teacher

Wheel alignments for High School Mechanics! Made easy! Explained so anyone can understand! You got this! The basics: the main angles, why you need them, and what to shoot for, and the basics of how to adjust things. As always, I do show some "not normal" way of doing things.
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FREE Teaching Materials: www.gwellwood.com/subjects/me...
(Oh, and it totally did not want the toe out; I changed it back....)

[@TheBurkey420]

This is one of the only teachers I had in highschool that could make me pay attention and enjoy class. 18 years later and I randomly find this page looking for camber settings for my truck. I have parts on that car!

[@lorettasalas6478]

I am a 62 yes old lady. Just out of college in 1982 I got hired at Sears Automotive Shop. I moved up to doing alignments I loved it. So I love to hear you talk and explain alignments. Thank you.

[@Quanuck]

What Sears did you work at? I was a Hunter rep and serviced many Sears locations.

[@ufrozoo]

The absolute best explanation of alignment specs that I have ever come across!!! And I consider myself to have a black belt in KZbin/Google searching ;) Thanks for your time and knowledge 🙏

[@GregWellwood]

Thank you kindly.

[@davidgibbs6737]

Tŷ

[@merlenidiffer8711]

Thank you I love the simple explanation and the the simple way to do a good job.There is no reason to take something that can be done simple and make it complicated .

[@knewpeace5482]

I totally agree.

[@roberttoro5167]

If you have a black belt,then I should take this guys advice

[@rogerphillips6702]

Your students must love your class. Your an amazing teacher. Best "how to" car video I've ever watched!

[@onerbfromtn4320]

I agree. Nice, Professor

[@jerbear7952]

​@@onerbfromtn4320he can't be a professor. He isn't wearing a lab coat. Thems the rules

[@frankpardo9389]

I work for a Kenworth dealership and have performed many wheel alignments on heavy duty line haul trucks & enjoy the concepts of alignments too, there is no better feeling than receiving great feedback from customers of how great their vehicle handles & drives down the road. All I can say is WOW this is such a great video to watch for someone wanting to learning wheel alignments & it’s concepts. I even learned some new things watching this video. Thanks a lot for this great video, big thumbs up 👍 I definitely will be following a lot more videos on your channel!

[@benignomarin-real1997]

Pure rocket science! But I finally started to demystify it and grasp it.

[@dpforth]

I hope your students appreciate you, they're very lucky to have such a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, hands-on teacher! Hopefully you get a couple of them off their phones.

[@dennisrandall8040]

Shop teachers always have been the best teachers.

[@allanenders5525]

Love the empty tuna tin on a piece of welding rod, best teaching aid ever! Thanks...

[@LivingAwake]

Been around cars and shops my whole life. How you explain things makes all the difference. Great work!

[@nassimkoubeissi5814]

after few years sniffing KZbin for wheel alignment tutorial never seen anyone better than this guy thank you for the information . anyone lives in a remote place this is very important and helpful.

[@j.v.davirro9567]

This guy know how to teach while entertaining you. Very knowledgeable in many automotive subjects. Had a teacher like him in college, a mechanical engineering course . Kept me coming back. I sure miss having him around. Jeff Jefferies good ol' boy. Wonder if he's still alive? I'll just have to look him up.

[@MrLesterdr]

I would have to give this video a 100 out of 10 ratings as 10 out of 10 wouldn't give it justice, it's that good

[@redj7401]

Excellent video. I have always dreaded having to take my car to an alignment shop. I've found once a shop breaks the seal on a factory setup, my cars have always worn tires prematurely. After having completed a rotisserie restoration on my 66 Mustang I decided I would try to learn to do it myself. I picked up a Longacre Caster/Camber gauge and toe plates. It took me a little bit to figure out what was going on but eventually I had it down pat. It's a great skill to have. I'm Subscribed.

[@chris2pher44]

I always thought that too but now I’m pretty sure once you get it all reset something is wearing again which makes you have to get alinement sooner than first time. I’ll bet you if you replaced ALL your suspension parts and do an alignment it would last just as long as first time.

[@kennyyang6866]

This guy sit different between professor mechanic and everyday mechanic doing a you tube video explain. Excellent explained to the point with prop ten sardine can without shouting !

[@michaelbardwell6398]

Best shop teacher quote ever. ' Some call it twitchy, I call it responsive " lol

[@michaelechivester6478]

The best video on wheel alignment I've seen so far.

[@airmotivewelding8012]

This man has more "clue" than most! WoW, what a teacher.

[@cto511987]

Made me want to go back to high school to take your shop class. Great presentation and insights, thank you!

[@asp1345]

I wish my shop teacher had enthusiasm like him

[@kgoldengolden]

Thank you for taking the time to present this subject in terms we all can understand! From the planning, to the filming and editing...I'm sure these videos eat up a bunch of time and effort, but I have found no other channel that so clearly relates subjects to the audience. Most of us have, at one time or another, questioned our chosen profession, but you sir were born to teach. It's not glamorous or lucrative (my wife is a teacher) but when you have the gift, there are few professions more important, or satisfying. Thank you for your dedication, and don't ever retire-those kids need you!

[@randyduncan795]

There's nothing like knowledge shared by an experienced enthusiast. Thank you.

[@buzthompson6547]

Sir you have the most dynamic instructing style I have ever witnessed. Your knowledge of the physics and application of tire alignment in a 3 dimensional platform in perspective to the other tires desired position is PhD caliber. Thank you for sharing your blessed gifts.

[@Quanuck]

Best self do it alighment video I've seen yet!! I'm 67 and I was the Hunter rep for several years in RI and SE Mass, I ran the alignment shop in a seven franchise high end dealership( Mercedes, Porsche/Audi, Honda...) then I owned a front-end shop for many more years. Because of my engineering background, I was known for the ability to make my own adjustment on cars that had none like BMW (elongate holes), I did the alignments for 75% of the body shops in NE Rhode Island and several PDs. This is a great video, but you forgot two things, checking for posible run-out and SAI, stearing axis inclination. You have steel rims, I'm sure you know how to illustrate checking for run-out. SAI determines the projection of the weight of the vehicle in reference to the center of the tire surface. This is more criticle with cars with wide tires to know. Caster is easier explained using the straight ahead stability of a "chopper". Now we have radial tires, camber doesn't mean as much for offsetting road crown, I always added about 1/2 degree more caster to the right. I autocrossed my "83 Saab turbo, I cut/welded to size the rear sway bar from a Crown Vic police rear end, she cornered better than a 944, lol. A body shop owner brought me his wife's BMW 3 series after she put it in the woods spinning out taking a corner in the rain. Come to find out her rear end was toing out (I had a Hunter A-111 that I had the specs set up on inches, not degrees) -3/4 inch! I elongated the holes on the left rear lower control arm bolt holes to get rid off the dog tracking as well. I always set rear toe at .03" toe in for stability. Put stress on the tires to check for centering after any adjustments. I set front toe to .09-.12" toe in. SAI will determine if a car with front wheel drive will toe out or toe in under power.

[@eastwood111]

I’m glad this video popped up on my feed. We’ll have to go back and watch it. Will be changing My tire rod ends soon.

[@alynnjacob1857]

I have been messing around trying to align my 4wd Jeep Grand Cherokee 2004 for what seems like a never ending frustrating job. I'm going to try again today with confidence because I feel like I understand so much more! Thank you for teaching this noob in a clear, fun and professional, do it for dummies kind of way. THANK YOU

[@hayeslincoln3111]

What sort of problem are you having. If it's a solid front axle like a Dana 30 or 44 camber should be 0 from the factory. Caster is probably about 4-5 degrees and your toe should be about .06 total that's a 1/16 of an inch. She should go right down the road. If it doesn't t check this Ball joints on that is tight will make that jeep wander constant steering wheel corrections. Toe rods loose or tight Do you have a steering stabilizer. Looks like shook absorber Do you have big or wide tires on it. Or a lift kit. Make sure your pitman arm is level with the tie rod it's connecting to. They make a drop pitman arm. Check your brake calipers. One dragging will cause funky driving . Sometimes it'll drag then it pops off and it steers perfectly. Then it hits that sticking point in the piston and drags again. Alignment is not hard but the components that make the vehicle go down the correctly can really play havoc on driving. Good luck.

[@theogharoon]

Moved to Australia 17 years ago from BC. Seeing this video makes me want to move back and get an alignment done... This is how to teach.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

This video is well worth the time to watch. I'm saving it and will probably watch it again.

[@on-site4094]

Done the old school way and still works today 👍 thanks for sharing

[@cosmicallyderived]

The camber explanation for turning was amazing

[@yzmoto80]

I’m changing out the front steering and suspension components on my truck, your video explanation of steering geometry is second to none in terms of making it fun AND interesting. Thank you ! Edit: subscribed

[@pault3449]

As a long time Auto Tech teacher, I commend you on your excellent and humorous video. Clear explanations of complex concepts are hallmarks of a great teacher. Good job!

[@leverguy]

Hands down the best video I've seen on alignment that has both theory and how to make adjustments combined. I've been trying to wrap my brain around this for a while. A few years ago, I took my wife's suburban to a "reputable" tire/alignment company to get front end updated. They basically had a blank check to replace everything, and get it all installed/adjusted properly. Everything was fine for about 2 weeks, and all of the sudden the alignment went crazy. I looked into it, and found out that the passenger's side upper control arm rear adjustment bolt had been welded to the control arm to prevent movement. Since then, I've sworn to learn alignment. It's the only aspect of a vehicle that I haven't done myself. Your video puts me a lot closer to being there.

[@joshua-the-seer8494]

Amazing video! I appreciate all the knowledge you're imparting. It's done with grace, humor, and style. Thank you for sharing, please keep going!

[@lordbaltimore1450]

Thank you very much. You're really a great teacher. One of a kind. I'm average Joe out there and had seen several other KZbin videos, trying to explain the whole thing without much luck. You did it. You made it very easy to understand and also make it fun to listen and follow you. Again I really appreciate your thoughtful presentation.

[@shawnrenaud2252]

In-depth explanation! Informative and appreciated!

[@JT-SE-OHIO]

The castor camber gage you took out of the plastic case is what made it able for me to setup my dirtcar (9C1) to be able to win 73 feature wins.kk Very good explanation of front alignment. I used 4 degrees of camber and 3 degrees caster that transferred 90 lbs to the left rear when countersteering on dirt.. If you don't understand the front alignment you are not going to win 73 features.

[@Gilsal89]

Know I understand a little more about alignment. Thank you so much Sr.

[@patrickscahillii9365]

Outstanding presentation, concise and easy to understand for those already familiar with such things. Thanks for sharing

[@rosalioperez4207]

Simple and precise you are a Master! Thanks for your full lecture video.

[@SaycoPworrell]

I like your Adam Sandler impression. Great video, been wanting to learn how to do my own alignment without the digital tools i can't afford.

[@Brooks77351]

Great job! Love the simplicity of the wheel geometry

[@ChadHargis]

Excellent! I already knew what toe, caster, and camber were...but your explanation was brilliant. That demo you used for caster was perfect.

[@fezalkurekure4823]

Been doing manual alignment for my car like 5 years now, thanks for the tips n tricks

[@chriskorbut9568]

Perfect combination of explanation and humor. Loved it. Keep it up!!

[@davidmatyis1732]

Just absolutely awesome analysis!!! Great teaching!

[@jeremyeves2614]

Thank you for putting in the time and effort to produce this video. Using real life experience you boil down some very complicated math into bite size chunks with understandable analogies and usable applications.

[@randykeelin7350]

The best video on caster, camber and toe I've seen yet. And I've watched a lot of them.

[@Hutchy45445]

That was THE best explanation, I have ever seen. 👍👍👍

[@tristanmateo1310]

instaBlaster.

[@ericahrendt489]

By far and away the best vid on the subject that I have found. Thank you.

[@ruiverissimo2864]

"Wheel alignment in a nutshell". What a great nutshell! 23 minutes PACKED with the absolutely best explanation I ever listen for the three angles. Great job. Walking encyclopedia. Bless you. Be well.

[@GregWellwood]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DiaryOfALesbianGamer]

I missed going ti school for automotive. You gave me a refresher and did it in a way my favorite teachers did so. Thank you so much. 💜

[@patrickjoyce4178]

Great video. This is a must to know if you are spending thousands to go fast. I have built so many race cars and drag cars the biggest overlooked part of most builds. The tire tracking. Caster camber and Toe are the keys to winning. Thanks for bringing this point up. My 2020 HELLCUDA will handle like a Ferrari when I’m ready to align. Thanks Teach. 👍

[@raymension9480]

Hey I’m very impressed by ur explanation abt wheel alignment I’m an alignment technician here in 🇯🇲Jamaica and I’d love to get more information on alignment especially on race cars, I’m actually a self taught technician I just found out a lot on my own after years of work never did any schooling on this profession just loved it so I know a lot of wat u’ve said is spot on some I couldn’t have explained like u did but I just knew....I’d love to get to know more frm u if ur interested in teaching 😁 I’ve subscribed so keep the videos coming on alignment ok...I’ll be checking to hear back frm u I’m hungry to learn more thnx💯💯💯

[@mightyluv]

I’ve been out of high school for over 40 years now, but your video put me right back in it. Your exuberance and excellent visual explanations made this a lot of fun. Thanks for posting, looking forward to seeing more.

[@simplyalan7260]

Thats one of my favorite videos, you obviously know and love what you do!

[@jnhudspeath]

This Guy Definitely knows how to Teach we would have been Lucky to be students of his in this Subject and probably in any Subject’s

[@dolsiniya1]

Thank you so very much for doing this video. I’ve watched don’t know how many and want through forums and some literature but all too technical, too lengthy and difficult to grasp everything. You made it simple, interesting, funny and super easy to understand and remember. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience

[@bsagreg]

Ive been doing the alignment on my cars for a couple yrs now . 4 alignments . you have given me the insight to what to do, as opposed to setting it to the specs. Thanks.

[@tonydaroza1561]

Awesome video! You explained everything so well. I'll have to check out your other videos now 🙂 Thank you so much!

[@matthewdoyle3129]

Thank you for making this video, hands down the best explanation of wheel alignment, it’s so much easier to understand something when a reason is given, with an example. You do this really, really well 👍🏻

[@marksimmons3801]

Amazing teacher !!! You held my attention the whole time . I learned a lot . THANK YOU SIR .

[@sstocker31]

Excellent presentation of steering dynamics and how the adjustments affect steering. I'll be passing this link on to others so they can learn from you.👍

[@gaz1tinsley]

wow, im so glad i clicke onto someone that knows camber ! i built a drag beetle back in the day, i lowered the suspension to about an inch off the road, the camber of the wheels was about 3 inch negative, but it handled fantastic ! On the road it was like a nuclear go cart on wheels ! At the lights it wheelied in first and second gears ;) A lot of fun to drive !

[@Ueddyyytube]

Excellent video, I have to watch it many times since I new to the wheel alignment, but excellent explanation

[@monadking2761]

What you said all makes sense now and I have been around cars since 1970. Thank you for explaining they way you did. It was very interesting.

[@josedeleon2230]

The most specific and intelligent explanation regarding toe, caster and camber. Now need to check all my cars wheel alignments.

[@MikeAnderson-uj3oo]

Im a retired licensed mechanic. My specialty throughout the years was steering and suspension. Like yourself, I did a lot of modified vehicles from 1/4 mile drag cars to off road trucks. I've hand built countless different suspension systems. My true love is off road, mainly rock crawlers. Any thing with massive amounts of articulation. Your explination of alignment angles was spot on. I couldn't of explained it any better myself.

[@speedy_pit_stop]

Best alignment intro video I've seen.

[@gregcampbell5530]

Wow! That’s the best explanation I’ve ever heard, and humor too. Thanks a bunch😜

[@chriswhitehouse9764]

Love the explanations and teaching style.

[@gabrielbruzzi1962]

Best scientific description and what the different adjustments do to the tires handling.

[@Clinteastvveed]

That was superbly concise educationally as well as engaging , keep it up!

[@xTinBenderX]

Great vid! Subbed! Made a string jig that mounted to the license plates in the SRT4 Neon. Ran 4* in the front and 1.5* in the rear. Set the tires at 27psi and it wore perfect. Was running at least 1 track day a month at the time.

[@johnfitzgerald4206]

Awesome video.Stoked I stumbled across it. Thank you 🙏

[@brianprovus4684]

Holy smokes, this is the closest I've ever come to actually understanding all these alignment concepts. No wonder you were under such demand for doing alignments. Thanks so much.

[@joeferreira7382]

You definitely done a good job explaining it how it works , I'm going to keep an eye on the front end of my tires , I just put 4 brand new ones on my pickup truck and they are not cheap , Mitchelin tires

[@leen352]

great explanation. I have build a couple of early 30 hotrods and did the alignment myself with a simular bubbletool from Speedway and a toe-tool copied from a Model A one. Last project was a 49 Pontiac Streamliner with LS1, Jag Front and 4 link 8.8 Ford rear. Alignment was spot on, but the car was a bit nervous over 65 miles. I put some frontrims on that looked cool,but I forgot to check the srubradius, after putting the right rims on, man what a difference!

[@haroldo5889]

You are absolutely great at this teachings regarding wheel alignment, Your explanation helped me a lot to understand Caster which has been like rocket science to me. I like to do my own wheel alignment at home and I’m learning more because of videos like yours.

[@GregWellwood]

Glad it was helpful!

[@timwilliams7034]

Wow. I love your video. I used to help a guy do alignments at trade school. They taught me "how" to do it but not the reasons or the relationship. I have worked as a mechanic since i was 13 yo. I am building an old (1927) truck now at 66 yo . Thanks for the explanation.

[@billybobbarker3175]

Excellent explanation. I just changed a whole bunch of front parts on my truck. It is scheduled for a CanTire laser alignment tomorrow. On trucks I have used string back to front to set track and toe. I have not yet fingered out simple home garage method to measure caster and camber to be able to adjust those myself.

[@markchriestenson3257]

Back in the day when i first started working for Walmart, we had one of those 3 bubble caster levels. It worked great for years! Then they quit doing alignments. We also had a laser liner to check the toe. No computers here. If you were competent enough, you could do a fantastic job. It did take a little effort and mental strategy. But no hill for a stepper.

[@revscott58]

Thanks much That shop teacher guy. Very precise and informative explanation. I know some about alignment and handling, but I did not realize the caster angle provided lift to either side of the car which obviously would improve handling! 👽🐍

[@marcmercado2085]

I watch this nearly once a day. Very helpful.

[@emanuelmifsud6754]

Wow what a teacher as myself a woodwork Metalwork electronics physics and chemistry teacher I have learnt a great deal about wheel alignment the concepts you showed are basic and very useful two steering geometry thank you for your knowledge

[@adam8888d]

By far the best teaching I have come across on KZbin. First class

[@bradpage8967]

Great information!! Even if someone would never mess with alignment, knowing that could save money at the garage. Good stuff!!

[@kenswitzer4133]

If you have replaced many of the suspension components on a restoration this is great to know to get in the ball park until you can get to a shop.

[@jonbrown1018]

My father taught me how to do a alignment 1984.. We didn't have all of this fancy equipment back then.. After your done, chalk the tread and drive.. Glad I listened that day... Everyone is convinced that you have to go to a shop and laser them today...

[@HavasuTyson]

Fantastic explanation! Thank you, sir.

[@ryankaumans1209]

Great explanation 100% fact your video explains everything you need to know about wheel alignment to where it make the most sense Thank you thank you

[@markhowley6537]

Just watched this and subscribed, I can't wait to see what other content you have.

[@vincetoscano7018]

Great Job, thanks for sharing you knowledge!!

[@jammils38]

Thank you so much bud! This explanation was just mint!

[@Dan-lm8yk]

Excellent info! Thank you.

[@jimbohn9633]

Clear explanation, fun video to watch.

[@fflynnful]

Brilliant explanation! Thank you!

[@ogrush3718]

Wow, most fantastic explanation I've ever heard. You nailed it.

[@GregWellwood]

Thanks!

[@douglasmiller600]

Well done. Very well explained. Keep up the good work. Thanks

[@spoolnpsi2606]

This was a great video. Learned a ton. Thank you sir.

[@RC-Heli835]

I think I finally understand now after watching your video why my Kenworth T800 Dump truck pulls to the right. Its left front wheel is leaned out at the top 6 degrees while the right front is strait up. With the little bit of castor that it has the left wheel don't relax going down the road until its pointed right a degree or two which I have to fight against all day long. Even with the wheels aligned strait using a similar method to yours I use to 4 ft levels to get a very accurate alignment measurement. The problem is the camber is built into the axle and from what I hear you have to have the axle bent to adjust the camber. Very few people will do that these days though and some axles have stamped in them do not bend. This truck has actually been turned over on its left side and I'll never know if that's what caused the camber to be like that or not but it hasn't always pulled hard right like it does now.

[@Anarchy-Is-Liberty]

Now I see why you're a teacher!! You make a great teacher, and it would have been a blast to be in your class! With that said, the only complaint I have is... I wish I could still squat down like that, and if I got on my knees on the floor like that... I'd fall over in pain!! LOL But that's not your problem. lol Great video, thanks for sharing, you edumacated this 60 year old, and this is really going to help me get my S10 drag truck on the straight and narrow! Great stuff, sub'd as well!