Wheel Alignment

[Tobie]

How does one set the wheel alignment on a trike? Aerotrike. After a couple of years flying the wheel alignment on my trike seems to have gone out and is now slightly tow-out. Also both wheels are not 100% upright in the vertical plane but standing a little open legged. Is their a way to set it or is it only by bending the axles back again and how? I imagine the "open legging" may be caused by rear shock springs that has colapsed slightly.

[Trikenut]

If you think it is worth the effort I suggest you phone Louis Van Wyk and speak to him. He is very good with this sort of stuff and is an AP. If you don't have his details: Oh 21 97 fife 3 ate 9 wun or email him louisvw @ iafrica . com (remove spaces)
Or look at viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11269&hilit=wheel+alignment
Hope this helps,
Ross

[Biggles]

The aerotrikes have an adjustable lenght on the front suspension strut. It is adjustable right near where it connects to the keel. I would check all bushings and that you have not bent a strut before adjusting. My money is on worn bushings and renewing these will make a big difference. That will fix the toe out problem, you can rig two broomsticks too the wheels. and measure how far off the centre line they are. And the distance at the tip of teh brooms should be teh same as teh measured track at the wheels. I suspect that 0 toe in is the correct value but could be wrong.

The wheels should be verticle... I suggest following this link to sort out the camber issues: http://www.weightwatchers.com/Index.aspx or new shocks

[Tobie]

The wheels should be verticle... I suggest following this link to sort out the camber issues: http://www.weightwatchers.com/Index.aspx or new shocks

Nice one Biggles, Think you may have a point here, explains the camber and toe issues, now I feel sorry for the trike.