Prepare for the Automotive Service Technician Period 1 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What type of angle is caster?

Caster is the steering axis angle—the tilt of the steering axis relative to vertical when you look at the car from the side. This angle, usually described as positive or negative, affects how the wheels center themselves and how stable the vehicle feels in a straight line. A positive caster tilts the top of the steering axis toward the rear of the vehicle, which helps with straight-line stability and gives a self-centering feel to the steering, though it can increase steering effort. It’s different from toe, which is front-to-rear wheel alignment, and from camber, which is the tilt of the wheel in the vehicle’s vertical plane. Directional control is the overall ability to maintain or change direction, of which caster is one contributing factor but not itself a separate angle.

Caster is the steering axis angle—the tilt of the steering axis relative to vertical when you look at the car from the side. This angle, usually described as positive or negative, affects how the wheels center themselves and how stable the vehicle feels in a straight line. A positive caster tilts the top of the steering axis toward the rear of the vehicle, which helps with straight-line stability and gives a self-centering feel to the steering, though it can increase steering effort. It’s different from toe, which is front-to-rear wheel alignment, and from camber, which is the tilt of the wheel in the vehicle’s vertical plane. Directional control is the overall ability to maintain or change direction, of which caster is one contributing factor but not itself a separate angle.