Alignment Parts

Alignment parts provide additional adjustment or geometry correction when a vehicle's standard suspension cannot achieve the required wheel alignment settings. Depending on the suspension design, these components can help adjust camber, caster and toe or correct geometry affected by changes in ride height.

The right wheel alignment parts depend on what needs to be corrected, the suspension design and any modifications already fitted. Before adding adjustable or offset components, the vehicle should be measured and inspected so the underlying alignment issue is understood. Correct fitment should always be followed by a professional wheel alignment.

What Are Alignment Parts?

Alignment parts are suspension and steering components that provide additional adjustment or change geometry to help achieve the required wheel alignment.

Some replace a fixed component with an adjustable alternative. Others use an eccentric, offset or revised mounting position to alter a specific alignment angle.

Depending on the suspension design, these parts can be used to adjust:

• Camber
• Caster
• Toe
• Axle position
• Steering geometry
• Other suspension geometry affected by ride-height changes

The goal is not simply to create the greatest possible adjustment. It is to give an alignment technician the correction required for the specific vehicle and suspension setup.

What Suspension Parts Affect Alignment?

Several suspension parts affect alignment because they determine where the wheel sits and how it moves relative to the chassis. Control arms, bushes, ball joints, tie rods, struts and springs can all influence alignment directly or indirectly.

Wear, damage or modification to these components can change wheel position and geometry.

Control Arms, Bushes and Ball Joints

Control arms establish important suspension pivot points. Their length, mounting position and bushes influence where the wheel and steering knuckle sit throughout suspension travel.

Offset bushes or adjustable control arms can deliberately change these relationships to provide additional alignment correction.

Ball joints also establish suspension pivot points. A worn joint can introduce unwanted movement, while a geometry-correction ball joint can reposition a pivot point for a specific suspension setup.

This is why worn components should be distinguished from parts intentionally designed to alter geometry.

Tie Rods, Struts and Springs

Tie rods connect the steering system to the steering knuckles and are commonly used to adjust toe. Their position and angle can also influence how toe changes as the suspension moves.

Struts and their mounting points can influence camber and other suspension geometry depending on the design.

Springs do not normally provide an alignment adjustment themselves, but changing spring height changes the vehicle's ride height. This can move suspension and steering components into different operating positions and alter alignment as a result.

What Parts Are Adjusted During an Alignment?

The components adjusted during a wheel alignment depend on the vehicle and suspension design. The technician measures camber, caster and toe, then uses the adjustment points available on that vehicle to bring the required settings into specification.

Not every vehicle provides factory adjustment for every angle. Additional alignment parts may be required when the available adjustment is insufficient.

Camber

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel when viewed from the front.

Negative camber means the top of the wheel tilts inward, while positive camber means it tilts outward.

Depending on the suspension design, camber may be adjusted through factory mounting points, eccentric bolts, offset bushes, adjustable control arms or other suitable components.

Caster

Caster describes the forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis when viewed from the side.

It influences steering self-centring, straight-line stability and steering feel.

Caster adjustment methods vary considerably between suspension designs. Where the original suspension does not provide enough adjustment, offset bushes, adjustable arms or other geometry-correction components may be used.

Toe

Toe describes whether the wheels point towards or away from each other when viewed from above.

Toe is commonly adjusted through the steering linkage using the tie rods. On some rear suspension designs, separate adjustment points or components can provide rear toe correction.

Because toe can have a significant effect on tyre wear and steering response, it should be accurately measured rather than judged visually.

When Do You Need Alignment Parts?

Alignment parts may be needed when the original adjustment cannot achieve the required camber, caster or toe settings. This can happen after changing ride height, modifying suspension geometry or when a particular setup requires adjustment beyond the factory range.

The need for additional parts should be determined from actual measurements rather than assumed from the modification alone.

After Lowering or Lifting

Lowering or lifting changes the resting position and operating angles of suspension components.

Depending on the design, this can alter:

• Camber
• Caster
• Toe
• Steering linkage angles
• Roll centre position
• Axle position

The amount of change varies by vehicle.

If the factory adjustment still provides enough correction, additional components may not be necessary. If the required settings cannot be achieved, suitable alignment parts can provide additional adjustment or geometry correction.

Rule Out Worn Parts First

An alignment that cannot be maintained may indicate wear or damage rather than insufficient adjustment.

Check for issues such as:

• Worn suspension bushes
• Worn ball joints
• Tie rod end play
• Wheel bearing play
• Bent control arms
• Damaged suspension components
• Loose mounting hardware
• Incorrect or uneven ride height

Alignment parts should not be used to disguise a mechanical fault. Repair worn or damaged components first, then measure and adjust the suspension.

Types of Alignment Parts

Different alignment parts solve different geometry problems. Some provide fine adjustment during a wheel alignment, while others reposition suspension or steering components to correct geometry after changes in ride height.

The appropriate type depends on the vehicle, the alignment measurement that needs correction and how the suspension is designed.

Camber Bolts

Camber bolts use an eccentric or offset design to provide additional camber adjustment at a suitable suspension mounting point.

Rotating the bolt changes the relative position of the connected components, allowing an alignment technician to move the wheel towards the required camber setting.

Bolt size, installation position and available adjustment must suit the application.

Offset and Adjustable Control Arms and Bushes

Offset bushes change the position of a suspension pivot within its mounting point. Depending on their location, they can alter camber, caster or another aspect of suspension geometry.

Adjustable control arms allow the effective position or length of an arm to be changed.

These solutions can be useful where a fixed factory component does not provide the adjustment needed for a modified suspension setup.

Caster and Roll Centre Correction

A caster correction kit changes suspension geometry where additional caster correction is required. Depending on the suspension design, this may involve repositioning a control arm or suspension pivot.

Roll centre correction addresses a different geometry change. Lowering can alter control arm angles and move the suspension's geometric roll centre. Correcting relevant pivot positions can improve the relationship between the suspension geometry and the modified ride height.

Steering geometry may also require attention after significant ride-height changes, particularly if tie rod angles have been altered.

Rear Alignment Parts

Rear alignment parts can provide additional camber, toe or axle-position correction where the rear suspension requires adjustment.

The appropriate method depends heavily on suspension design. Independent rear suspension may use adjustable arms, bushes or other adjustment points, while solid-axle layouts require different solutions.

Front and rear alignment components are therefore not interchangeable simply because they adjust the same alignment measurement.

Panhard Rods, Alignment Shims and Other Geometry Correction

On applicable solid-axle suspension systems, an adjustable Panhard rod can help correct lateral axle position after a ride-height change.

Alignment shims provide measured spacing at specific mounting points and can alter camber, caster or another alignment measurement depending on where they are installed.

Other suspension or driveline components may also require repositioning when ride height changes. These corrections should be considered according to the geometry they address rather than being treated as interchangeable wheel alignment adjustments.

Can Alignment Parts Fix Uneven Tyre Wear?

Alignment parts can help when incorrect camber, caster or toe is contributing to tyre wear and the vehicle does not have enough existing adjustment to correct it.

However, uneven tyre wear has several possible causes.

These include:

• Incorrect tyre pressure
• Excessive toe
• Worn suspension components
• Wheel bearing play
• Damaged wheels or tyres
• Incorrect ride height
• Driving conditions and vehicle use

An alignment specialist should inspect the vehicle and measure its geometry before additional parts are fitted. Correcting camber alone, for example, may not solve tyre wear if incorrect toe is the main cause.

Do You Need a Wheel Alignment After Fitting Alignment Parts?

Yes. A professional wheel alignment is required after fitting parts that change wheel position or suspension geometry.

The component creates or changes the available adjustment. Alignment equipment is then required to measure camber, caster and toe and establish the correct final settings.

Installation and Safety

Alignment components can involve safety-critical suspension and steering connections. During installation:

• Support the vehicle with suitable stands or workshop lifting equipment
• Never work underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack
• Be aware of stored energy in springs and suspension components
• Use the correct installation procedure and hardware
• Tighten fasteners to the manufacturer's torque specifications
• Check surrounding components for wear or damage

Use a qualified technician where installation involves significant suspension disassembly, specialised tools or geometry correction.

Choosing Alignment Parts for Your Vehicle

Start with the vehicle, suspension design and actual alignment measurements.

Identify whether camber, caster, toe, axle position or another part of the suspension geometry requires correction. Then consider ride height and existing modifications before choosing additional alignment parts.

Avoid selecting a component simply because it provides more adjustment. The objective is to achieve the appropriate geometry for the vehicle and suspension setup.

Whiteline can assist with fitment if you are unsure which type of correction is suitable for your application.

Shop Alignment Parts with Whiteline

Whiteline alignment parts provide additional adjustment and geometry correction where a suspension setup requires more than its existing adjustment can provide.

From road cars to modified suspension setups, accurate measurement should come first, followed by the appropriate component and a professional wheel alignment.

Alignment parts are part of our wider suspension parts range, and centre bearing alignment kits handle the driveline side on lifted 4x4s.

Choose with confidence through Whiteline's Fitment Guarantee, Warranty and 60 Day Returns, with fitment assistance available when you need help identifying the right alignment solution.