Alignment specs

[sluggo]

I had an alignment done and there are a few things I don't understand. What is "SAI" and "Included Angle"?

The alignment printout shows a specified range of 10.7 - 12.2 for SAI. My front left shows 8.7 and my front right shows 4.4. Both well out of the specified range.

The alignment printout shows a specified range of 9.2 - 12.2 for Included Angle. My front left show 7.4 and my front right shows 3.8. Again both are well out of the specified range.

The alignment shop says those numbers don't mean anything and they are not adjustable. He says the numbers are there just to aid the tech in properly setting the camber, caster and toe.

Is the alignment shop giving me the straight scoop or is there something here I should be concerned about? FYI, camber, caster and toe are in spec (barely)

[JSM1284]

SAI- Steering Axis Inclination.
Included angle- The combination of Camber and SAI

Steering axis inclination and included angle are often used as diagnostic tools. Steering axis inclination, or SAI, is defined as the angle formed by a line drawn through the upper and lower pivot points and a vertical line from the center base of the tire, when viewed from the front. SAI is measured in degrees. Camber is defined as the inward or outward tilt of the wheel at the top, as viewed from the front. Camber is usually specified positive on front wheels. Included angle is the combination of SAI and camber.

They are not feeding you crap. Your measurements are fine.

[sluggo]

JSM1284,
Do you see anything in those numbers that I listed that would cause you concern if it was your car?

[JSM1284]

SAI is just a little high, You add the numbers together, but nothing to worry about. The included angle is within the correwct range.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by sluggo

I had an alignment done and there are a few things I don't understand. What is "SAI" and "Included Angle"?

The alignment printout shows a specified range of 10.7 - 12.2 for SAI. My front left shows 8.7 and my front right shows 4.4. Both well out of the specified range.

The alignment printout shows a specified range of 9.2 - 12.2 for Included Angle. My front left show 7.4 and my front right shows 3.8. Again both are well out of the specified range.

The alignment shop says those numbers don't mean anything and they are not adjustable. He says the numbers are there just to aid the tech in properly setting the camber, caster and toe.

Is the alignment shop giving me the straight scoop or is there something here I should be concerned about? FYI, camber, caster and toe are in spec (barely)

Your fine.

You can Google alignment specifications and come up with the same answers.

Camber, caster, and toe are the only things you really need to be concerned about.

It would be easier if you would post your printout to see if they did a good job or not. Just having it "in spec" doesn't tell the whole story.

[JSM1284]

Correct, Any tech can push on the vehicle and freeze the screen to show it in spec.....

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by JSM1284

Correct, Any tech can push on the vehicle and freeze the screen to show it in spec.....

I'm talking about having it in spec and still be a crappy alignment.

[sluggo]

The specs are:

Left Front
Camber -1.3
Caster 2.6
Toe -.08

Right Front
Camber -.6
Caster 2.9
Toe -.09

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by sluggo

The specs are:

Left Front
Camber -1.3
Caster 2.6
Toe -.08

Right Front
Camber -.6
Caster 2.9
Toe -.09

That's useless to me.

I don't have the specs memorized for every car.

Can you scan and post the printout?

[sluggo]

I don't have a way to scan the printout. Here is the "Specified Range".
Camber -1.5 to 0.0
Caster 1.9 to 3.4
Toe -.10 to .10
Cross Camber -.8 to .8
Cross Caster -.8 to .8
Total Toe -.20 to .20