Longitudinal leaf springs absorb road shock and serve as axle locators. A centering pin is used to ensure that the axle is correctly located. Clips are used to hold the leaf bundle together, and U-bolts fasten the leaf bundle to the axle. The leaf spring is attached to the vehicle frame using a bolt and bushing assembly or a shackle assembly. If the spring is worn or damaged, other suspension components may shift from their proper positions. This shift in position causes increased wear-and-tear on the parts and impairs the vehicle’s handling. A damaged or missing centering pin adversely affects the vehicle’s alignment.

The design and shape of ball joints vary depending on the application. However, understanding the function of ball joints is important in diagnosis and repair. Ball joints serve two main functions: load carrying and following.

Because these improvements have been so successful, vehicle operators can now detect minor disturbances and vibrations that would not have been apparent with previous vehicle generations. These slight disturbances can be challenging to diagnose. An experienced technician will understand the common symptoms for your make and model of vehicle and their causes. The team at Hollenshade’s Auto Service can help address these chassis dynamics issues effectively.

Springs support the weight of the vehicle and absorb the shock of bumps and dips in the road surface. They make the ride more comfortable for passengers. There are several types of springs used in vehicle suspensions:

Don't hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance. We're committed to ensuring you get the most out of your pulley laser alignment tool.

The disadvantages are typically increased cost and larger packaging within the vehicle chassis design. These more complex systems are found on higher-end vehicles.

Rear suspension car

Key components in the ride quality of a vehicle are the shocks and struts. Both are used to dampen or control the movement of the springs. If there were no dampening of the springs, the vehicle would bounce excessively and would be dangerous at high speeds. Dampening is the process of controlling the speed at which the spring is compressed and relaxed.

The increasing power output of Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles increases the severity of torque steer symptoms. Torque steer is the undesirable feedback from the wheels to the steering system during acceleration. The driver will feel the vehicle pull hard to one side during hard acceleration. Various suspension designs incorporating additional control arms and links have been designed to reduce the negative impacts of torque steer. However, the additional links or control arms often lead to additional body structure changes and increasing costs.

While laser alignment tools are designed to be user-friendly, some training is beneficial to ensure proper use and interpretation of results. Many suppliers offer training sessions.

Most quality laser alignment tools offer accuracy within fractions of a millimeter, which is typically more precise than traditional alignment methods.

Choosing and using the right pulley laser alignment tool can sometimes be challenging. That's why we're here to help. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in several ways:

Most laser alignment tools are versatile and can be used on a wide range of pulley sizes and types. However, very small pulleys or non-ferrous materials may require special adapters.

The laser alignment tool works by projecting a laser line onto targets placed on the pulleys. By comparing the position of the laser line on these targets, technicians can quickly identify and correct misalignment issues. This technology represents a significant advancement over traditional alignment methods, offering greater precision and ease of use.

The chassis provides the structure that ties the suspension and steering components to the vehicle. The proper function of the chassis systems provides the driver with comfort, safety, and driving performance. Chassis systems have evolved to balance the requirements of improved comfort, more powerful engines, reduced vehicle mass, and improved safety.

While the initial cost can be significant, many businesses find that laser alignment tools pay for themselves quickly through reduced downtime, extended equipment life, and improved energy efficiency.

Many laser alignment tools are designed for industrial use and can withstand harsh conditions. However, for potentially explosive environments, ensure you choose a tool rated for such use.

This depends on your equipment and operating conditions. Generally, alignment should be checked during scheduled maintenance or if you notice issues like increased vibration or unusual belt wear.

A pulley laser alignment tool is a precision instrument designed to ensure accurate alignment of pulleys in belt-driven systems. This innovative device uses laser technology to provide quick, accurate, and easy-to-understand measurements for aligning pulleys. Proper pulley alignment is crucial for optimal belt performance, reduced wear, and improved energy efficiency in various industrial applications.

Rear suspension partsdiagram

The laser alignment pulley tool offers several key features that make it an indispensable asset for maintenance teams across various industries:

Rear suspensiontypes

The HiPer Strut (High Performance Strut) was the result of this GM development. One advantage of this system over the conventional MacPherson strut suspension is the reduced spindle length, which leads to:

The stabilizer bar can be a one-piece, U-shaped rod fastened directly to the control arms with a bushing, or it can be attached to each control arm by a separate stabilizer bar link. Stabilizer bar bushings are a high-wear component and when degraded will cause excessive ‘knocking’ noise (especially on uneven pavement. And poor cornering when completely broken or disconnected. During maintenance services, the experienced technicians at Hollenshade’s will check the sway bar link bushings for wear.

With practice, most alignments can be completed in 15-30 minutes, which is significantly faster than traditional methods.

Ball joints are used in the suspension system to allow relative movement between suspension components. The ball joint allows 3 degrees of rotational freedom and is commonly used in the front   suspension to allow the wheel to move up and down (wheel travel), angle left and right for steering, and allow for relative fore/aft movement caused by deformation of bushings during braking and acceleration.

Given these benefits, many businesses find that a quality laser alignment tool pays for itself relatively quickly through improved efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

Multi-link independent suspensions address unwanted characteristics of older designs and to improve handling performance and comfort. They can be found in both the front and rear suspensions of many vehicles. The Cadillac CT6 front and rear suspensions are examples of multi-link independent suspensions. The CT6 front suspension has two lower links and a single upper link. The steering axis passes from the upper ball joint pivot through the imaginary intersection of the two lower links. This allows the steering axis to be oriented more vertically and closer to the wheel centerline. This also reduces the scrub radius with larger tires, reducing steering wheel feedback during acceleration and braking. The CT6 rear suspension has a 5-link independent rear suspension that uses an upper and lower lateral link, an upper and lower trailing link, and a toe adjust link to provide optimal handling and steering precision.

The tool projects a laser line onto targets attached to the pulleys. By comparing the position of the laser line on these targets, misalignment can be detected and corrected.

Rear suspensionprice

To avoid this additional weight and cost, engineers tried to develop a suspension system that reduces torque steer and fits into the existing MacPherson body structure space. In theory, this type of system could be added to vehicles with a more powerful engine option without having to change the body structure used for the same model equipped with the base engine option.

Struts are a variation of the shock absorber with the additional function of supporting the vehicle. The coil spring is coaxially located on the strut. The coil spring sits on a spring perch within the strut housing. Two common types of strut suspensions are the MacPherson and the modified strut. MacPherson struts act as a locating member of the suspension.

Unlike leaf springs, coil springs cannot control axle location; they only support the vehicle’s weight. Coil springs are constructed of a coiled steel bar and are located between the axle and the frame. Coil springs compress to absorb shock and then recoil to their correct height.

Strut rods attach the control arm and frame on suspensions that use l-shaped lower control arms instead of A-shaped lower control arms. The shape allows the control arm a limited amount of forward and backward movement. Strut rods always attach toward the front of the frame, as opposed to a radius arm, which attaches toward the rear of the frame behind the tire. For certain vehicles, the Stabilizer bar serves as a strut rod. Bushings on the strut rod should be checked regularly, as they can wear out, which may cause:

Rear suspension partsnames with pictures

Shock absorbers control or dampen the movement of springs by using fluid or gas forced through holes in the shock absorbers’ pistons. As the shock absorber compresses or expands, a piston inside moves through oil or hydraulic fluid. The piston’s movement is resisted by the fluid, which must pass through small holes. If the holes are smaller, the shock absorber becomes stiffer, and delivers what is commonly known as a sportier ride with firmer handling characteristics. If the holes are bigger, the piston moves more easily and delivers a smoother ride.

While the CT6 is just one example of the use of multi-link suspensions, there are many vehicles on the road that make use of multi-link suspension designs. The advantages of these systems are:

The purpose of suspension links is to connect the various suspension joints with each other and to transfer forces and motion from one joint to the next. Ball joints or elastic bushings connect suspension links and other components. Suspension links are typically made from steel or aluminum and can have two, three, or four attachment points, depending on the design.

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The stabilizer bar, also known as a sway bar, is a metal rod running between the lower control arms. As the suspension at one wheel responds to the road surface, the stabilizer bar transfers a similar movement to the suspension at the other wheel. This provides a more level ride and reduces stabilizer (or lean) during cornering.

Rear SuspensionKit

Leaf springs may also be mounted transversely in some independent suspension systems. This configuration typically uses a single-leaf or mono-spring and may be manufactured using fiber composites instead of steel. A transversely mounted spring offers increased roll stability and requires a special unloading tool to service the spring or any related parts.

While the initial cost of a laser alignment pulley tool may seem significant, it's important to consider the long-term benefits:

Torsion bars are used in place of coil springs on some models and serve the same function. They are spring steel bars that are connected to the control arm on one end and anchored to the body or frame at the opposite end. They can be mounted to either control arm but are usually mounted to the lower arm. Instead of being set vertically on the vehicle, torsion bars run horizontally between a control arm and the frame. Lateral torsion bars run perpendicular to the vehicle centerline, whereas longitudinal torsion bars run parallel to the vehicle centerline.

There are two types of coil springs: constant rate and variable rate. Constant rate coil springs provide even support throughout the range of travel. Variable rate springs have a variation in the number of coils per inch from one end to the other, which enables a vehicle to carry relatively heavy loads without sacrificing a comfortable ride in an unloaded condition. Under normal load, spring compression is minimal, which allows the vehicle to maintain a comfortable ride. When heavier loads are applied, the vehicle is able to maintain proper ride height as the dense coil-per-inch region of the spring is compressed.