Wheel alignment geometry: What is the primary adverse effect observed when a vehicle has excessive positive or negative camber beyond specification?

Introduction / Context:

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel relative to vertical, viewed from the front of the vehicle. Proper camber improves handling and tire contact during cornering. However, camber that is too positive or too negative causes the tire to run on one shoulder, degrading wear life and grip in straight-ahead driving. Recognizing the symptom helps technicians prioritize alignment corrections.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Production vehicles with small camber angles (near zero) specified for even tread contact.
• Tires inflated and rotated correctly; no significant toe error masking camber effects.
• Suspension bushings and components in serviceable condition.

Concept / Approach:

Excessive camber shifts the load path to the inner or outer tread shoulder. The concentration of contact pressure elevates local wear, producing uneven tyre wear patterns (e.g., inner-edge feathering for excessive negative camber). While camber can contribute to steering feel and alignment torque, the most prominent practical consequence for drivers is accelerated, uneven tread wear and reduced tire life.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Tire-wear diagnostic charts clearly link camber errors to inner/outer edge wear patterns, distinct from ‘‘saw-tooth’’ toe wear or cupping from shocks.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Too much traction: excessive camber can reduce straight-line traction by shrinking the effective contact area.
• Hard steering / alignment torque only: camber affects these, but they are not the primary or most visible consequence.
• Immediate bearing failure: bearings see different loads, but failure is not the primary near-term symptom of modest camber error.

Common Pitfalls:

• Misdiagnosing wear caused by toe or pressure issues; verify all alignment angles and tire pressures.
• Assuming symmetrical wear across an axle when only one side has bent components.

Final Answer:

uneven tyre wear