got a 93 tracker....3 inch calmini lift. For some reason.....when parked and tires turned to the left the two tires dont line up. Its as if the left tire is more kicked out than the right. Is this normal or am i cross eyed and screwed? Mom always said no question is a dumb one so had to ask. Thanks!

Not normal, do they look OK when pointing straight ahead

Ackerman effect? Doubt it, probably needs an alignment.

yupper sounds like alignment to me also

I beg to differ - it is normal, the inner tire will always carry a greater angle than the outer and the shorter the vehicle wheelbase, and the tighter the lock, the more pronounced and noticeable this is - and yes ackerman angle, or ackerman geometry explains why.



You should see exactly the same phenomenon turning both left AND right, if this is not so, you most likely have something bent underneath.  Under normal circumstances, the only alignment adjustment on these vehicles is the toe-in, and that will not cause a greater "throw" to the left than the right, if it is incorrect, you'll still end up with the inner wheel at a sharper angle than the outer when turned in both directions

Going slightly off topic - the illustration shows how the ackerman angle is derived based on distance between the kingpins and the wheelbase of the vehicle, I've seen countless build threads where either one or the other has been changed, the Mike Hagen mod, SAS conversions, RUF, etc.  I wonder how many people pay attention to this.

I wasn't really going to get in on this thread, but I have noticed the same thing
on my Sidekick, but now that you put this diagram up I have to say my full size
Chevy P/U does the same thing, and it's bone stock.

I really notice this when making a sharp turn and can hear the tire(s) scrubbing on
the street, and when turning into the contractor parking spot at Home Depot the
caution lines cause the tires to chirp as I go over each one, I just thought this was
due to the sharp turn and a bit of pushing forward (under steer) but I see now this
is quite a normal thing.

Good Observation Dennisr
Wild

Actually, the camber is adjustable as well, and it effects toe in.

Actually, the camber is adjustable as well, and it effects toe in.

Again, I beg to differ.

You may have noticed that my earlier post said "Under normal circumstances the only alignment adjustment on these vehicles is the toe-in" - perhaps I need to define what I consider normal circumstances - if the adjustment can be done on the vehicle in showroom condition, as it left the factory, I would consider it normal.

As far as I know, when a SideKick/Tracker/Vitara/Grand Vitara shipped from the factory only the front toe is adjustable, if you wish (or need) to adjust camber you must modify the front strut or some other part of the suspension to make it happen - replace one of the strut bolts with an eccentric bolt, file the slots in the strut oval, etc., etc., etc..

Since camber is not adjustable unless the vehicle has been modified or has had after market parts installed, then camber is not normally adjustable.

thanks for the feedback.....pointing straight tires are okay! and yes when going over painted speed bumps my tires chirp too...thanks guys I will have my allignment check sooner than late ;)r!

I guess if we're going to pic nits you are correct fordem. Under normal circumstances, yes toe only. Haven't been around a " normal " trackick for a long time now!