Math-in-CTE Lesson Plan Template
Lesson Title: Caster and Camber Wheel Alignment
Phone Number(s)
Author(s):
Lesson # 9
E-mail Address(es):
Barry Tatelbaum
(973) 412-4102 ext. 4102
btatelbaum@essextech.org
Auria Torres
(973) 412-4102 ext 4413
Atorres@essextech.org
Occupational Area: Automotive Technology
CTE Concept(s): Basic Alignment Angles Camber & Caster
Math Concepts: angles, degrees, rational numbers, basic arithmetic, and writing compound inequalities
Lesson Objective:
Students will be able to interpret camber and caster alignment angles in order to facilitate alignment corrections.
Supplies Needed:
Power Point, handouts, visual references, alignment machine and simulator
THE "7 ELEMENTS"
1. Introduce the CTE lesson.
The owner of a vehicle claims the car drifts to
one side and the tire shows uneven wear. What
could be the cause of this problem?
TEACHER NOTES
(and answer key)
Note: Teacher will provide visual aids demonstrating camber and caster which will be
part of the power point presentation.
In performing a wheel alignment there are
specifications required by manufacturers. Two
basic alignment angles are Caster and Camber.
Camber is the inward or outward tilt of a tire
viewed at the top. Caster is the forward or
rearward tilt of the steering axis compared to
vertical as viewed from the side.
Power point presentation included.
There are certain math concepts needed to have
an understanding of wheel alignments. Angles
and decimal measurements are used to
determine tolerance ranges compared to
manufacturers specifications. Math skills
needed in order to understand the alignment
machine readings are decimal degrees, angles,
and tolerance ranges.
Students should have prior knowledge of angles, measuring degrees, and calculating
rational numbers according to the New Jersey State Core Curriculum Content
Standards 4.MD.7, 4.G.1, 7.NS.1& 7.EE.3
In order to comprehend the mathematical relationship of the angle movement visual aid
I and II have been provided. Students will have a diagram of a circle and its angle
movements in order to visualize the positive and negative movement of the camber
alignment and a diagram of the coordinate plane to understand the movement in
reference to caster alignment
2. Assess students’ math awareness as it Note: Students will assume range refers to measures of central tendency; difference
relates to the CTE lesson.
between highest and lowest value. The range refers to the lowest and highest
tolerance level.
Explain what you know about angles and their
measure? What is the unit of measure used to read .
angles?
Are you familiar with the term “range”? Would you
be able to write a compound inequality based on the
range of specific numbers? Are you familiar with
inequality symbols?
What can you tell me about calculating positive and
negative numbers?
3. Work through the math example embedded in Note: Students should be informed that generally it is not acceptable to have more
the CTE lesson.
than a .5° variation between the left and right tire. This applies to both Caster and
Camber.
Students will receive an example of caster and
camber manufacturers’ specifications and tolerance Students will receive element 3 tolerance range practice guide.
range.
Camber example A
Solution A:
The manufacture dictates a camber angle Based on a specification of .75° ± .5° the acceptable range value would be .25° to
specification of .75° ± .5°
what would be the 1.25°.
acceptable range?
Algebraically we can demonstrate the tolerance range value as a compound inequality
.25°≤ v ≤ 1.25°.
Camber example B
Manufactures Camber specifications .5° ± .50,
Solution B:
The left front tire on a 2003 Ford Mustang exhibits
excessive outside tread wear.
The following
readings were obtained from the alignment
machine; left front tire displays 2.50° and the right
front tire displays .5°. Based on the manufacture
specifications are the readings acceptable? How
many degrees of adjustment would be required to
meet the required specifications?
Based on the manufacturer specifications our ideal camber angle is .5° with a tolerance
of ± .5°. This means that our camber angle could be acceptable from 0° to 1°. Based
on our example the range of the values is between 0° to 1°. Our example shows the
left front tire needs an adjustment of at least 1.5° to be within the tolerance range.
Algebraically we can demonstrate the tolerance range value as a compound inequality
0°≤ v ≤ 1°.
Caster example C
A vehicle drifts to the right. The alignment machine
displays the vehicle’s caster reading as left tire
1.50° and the right tire as .50°. Manufacturer
specifications for caster are 2° ±.5°. How much of
an adjustment must be made and to which side?
4. Work through related, contextual math-in-CTE
examples.
Solution C:
Based on the caster manufacturers’ specifications of 2° ±.5° our example indicates the
left side is marginally within the tolerance range at 1.50°. The right side is out of the
tolerance range by 1° to be within tolerance and 1.50° to be at the ideal specifications.
Algebraically we can demonstrate the tolerance range value as a compound inequality
1.5°≤ v ≤ 2.5°.
Example D
Solution D:
Given the camber specifications of 2.25° ± .75° You must use the tolerance values to find the range values that would meet the
do the following numbers fall within the range?
specifications: In our example our specifications of 2.25° - .75°= 1.5° and 2.25 + .75 =
3°, so the only number that falls within the range is 2.75°.
1.25°, 3.10°, and 2.75°
Example E
Solution E
Write an inequality to express the range of the
following specification 1.25° ± .75°.
The required inequality for the specifications is .5° ≤ v ≤ 2°.
5. Work through traditional math examples.
Solution
1. Translate the verbal phrase into an
inequality. All real numbers that are greater
than or equal to -1.5 and less than or equal
to 9.2…
1.
-1.5 ≤ n ≤ 9.2
2. Write an inequality that describes the
situation: The minimum speed on a highway
is 40 miles per hour and the maximum
speed is 60 miles per hour.
2.
40 ≤ S ≤ 60
3. Explain the significance of the inequality
written for exercise #2.
3.
The speed of a vehicle is within 40 and 60 mph
4.
Use an inequality to express the range of
values for the following tolerances:
A. -2.25 ± .5
B. 4.5 ± .75
C. 1.75 ± .5
4. A. -2.75 ≤ v ≤ -1.75
B. 3.75 ≤ v ≤ 5.25
C. 1.25 ≤ v ≤ 2.25
5.
Calculate the ideal value
inequality .25°≤ v ≤ 1.25°.
given
the
6. Students demonstrate their understanding.
Refer to attached alignment worksheet.
7. Formal assessment.
Utilizing alignment machine simulator, students
will identify camber and caster readings and
compare to manufacturers specifications.
Students will be able to determine the necessary
degrees of corrections.
NOTES:
5.
Ideal value is .5°