Sunbeam ALPINE I SERIES: APLINE II SERIES, Workshop Manual, Page: 172 / 413

Page 8
may not necessarily be of equal length
when this has been done-ignore this.
10. Check the front wheel toe-in before tightening
the track rod lock nuts and adjust both outer
track rods EQUALLY to obtain the correct
toe-in.
Important
Attention is drawn to the vital importance of
maintaining correct alignment of steering ball joints.
If any misalignment exists, angular deflection of the
pins under conditions of bump and rebound may
cause the sides of the pins to contact the necks of
the ball joint housings. This condition is liable to
promote a high rate of wear resulting in early
failure.
Therefore the importance of checking this point,
after track rod adjustment, cannot be over­
emphasized.
When track has been adjusted or the ball joint lock
nuts slackened for any purpose, it is essential to
make sure that the pins are CENTRAL IN THEIR
HOUSINGS when the vehicle is in the static laden
condition.
ALPINE
WSM.11'4
Section F (Front Suspension)
It is recommended that the ball joint alignment Is
checked as a routine measure during the 12,000
miles (19,200 km.) service.
Ackerman angles (toe-out on turn)
When the front wheels are turned from the straight
ahead position to negotiate a left- or right-hand bend
the arc described by the front wheel nearest the
inside of the bend is of smaller radius than the arc
described by the outside wheel.
In order that each front wheel shall follow its
respective arc, the inside wheel, or the wheel
nearest the centre of turn, requires more "lock",
I.e., it must be turned through a greater angle, than
the outside wheel.
To achieve this, the steering arm attached to each
stub axle is set inwards when viewed from above,
and the steering drop arm and idler lever must be
disposed correctly to their respective steering
arms. This is ensured by correct outer track rod
adjustment.
The centre track rod is not adjustable and therefore
the drop arm and idler lever will remain in correct
relationship unless this rod is bent.
RAPIER
A-o-7.,. <••·.,,->
B- 3.,.,. (94-99-l
C - z-•s .. · ( ... ,.,->
2·650" (66·04-)
D- 3-04-" ('IHl-)
Fig. 7. Steering
arm
dimensions