Camber, Caster & Toe: Wheel Alignment Explained
Three angles decide how your car steers, tracks and wears tyres. A Cranbourne West specialist explains them.
What it is & what it does
Toe is whether the wheels point together or apart viewed from above — the biggest tyre-wear angle. Camber is the wheel’s lean viewed from the front — grip in corners versus edge wear. Caster is the steering axis tilt viewed from the side — straight-line stability and self-centring.
An alignment is simply measuring all three at each wheel and returning them to the maker’s numbers.
Signs of trouble & how we help
Each angle wears and misbehaves its own way: toe scrubs tyres fast and silently, camber eats one shoulder, lost caster makes the car wander and the wheel lazy to return. Kerbs and potholes knock them out; worn bushes and joints make them impossible to hold — which is why we inspect before we align.
The printout you get shows before-and-after for every angle — alignment shouldn’t be a mystery.
Questions about your car? Just ask.
Understanding what’s under the bonnet makes servicing decisions easier — and we’re always happy to explain what your car needs and why, in plain English.
Book a service or a check with a Cranbourne West specialist online in 60 seconds, or call 03 8782 0711.
Camber, Caster & Toe: Wheel Alignment Explained — FAQ
Toe = wheels pointing in/out (tyre wear); camber = lean (cornering vs shoulder wear); caster = steering-axis tilt (stability and self-centring).
Toe — a small error scrubs tread quickly and silently.
The hit disturbed the angles (or bent a part) — caster and toe out of spec do exactly that.
Worn bushes and joints won’t hold an alignment — we check first so you don’t pay twice.
Related guides & services
More guides like this
Need yours checked?
Book your car in online in 60 seconds — RACV-accredited, fixed written pricing, no surprises. Or call 03 8782 0711.