WinAlign® HD Wheel Alignment Education Guide for Heavy-Duty Trucks

WinAlign®HD software supports more than 60 customized truck, trailer and bus alignment procedures as well as passenger car and light truck alignment.

A customized HD specification data base supports most vehicle manufacturers by simply scrolling to the specific model being aligned.

Vehicle Specifications

The “Vehicle Specifications” primary screen displays the identification and alignment specifications for the vehicle chosen.

The technician may be asked to enter a reference diameter. He can measure the front tire diameter and enter that value in “Reference Diameter.”

When activated, ExpressAlign® tool bar (visible in top, right hand corner of aligner screen) automatically shows the customized alignment path for the vehicle selected.

ExpressAlign allows movement in procedure by using the mouse and selecting the respective icon relative to sensor location.

Compensation Control Screen

Pro-Comp® allows the technician to mount and compensate one sensor at a time or four technicians to mount and compensate at one time.

Pro-Comp tracks the amount of runout at each wheel position once compensation is complete and flags the technician when excessive runout exists.

Pro-Comp continuously tracks runout at each wheel so the need to keep the wheel adapters straight up and down is no longer necessary.

A self centering wheel adaptor centers itself and remains centered as the technician clamps the adapter to the rim (18" - 24" diameter capacity).

Precise Measurement Display

WinAlign®HD provides precise measurements and display. DSP500T Sensors with optional wireless high frequency spread spectrum transmitters allow quick set up. Measurements are compared with the manufacturers specification and results are shown on the vehicle measurement display screen. Easy-to-read color coding identifies in- and outof- specification measurements.

Automatic Calculation

WinAlignHD automatically calculates the correction required. As the adjustment is made, the arrow moves across the bar graph target guiding the technician. When the adjustment comes within specification the bar graph changes from red to green.

Frame Offset

WinAlignHD allows frame offset measurements to be input and displays frame offset angle, recalculating thrust angle from the geometric centerline of the frame.

Print Any Screen

WinAlignHD allows the user to print any screen for records or to show the vehicle owner the need for service. Before and after alignment measurement screens can be printed to show any out-of-spec. condition. Screens can be printed anytime as a guide for the technician.

In the total alignment procedure, every axle on the vehicle is measured and the axles are set parallel – so all the wheels roll in the same direction, minimizing rolling resistance.

1. Electronic sensors are mounted on the steer axle and on one of the tandem drive axles (the reference axle). The sensors are compensated for runout.

2. The rear reference axle is measured to determine the thrust angle. If adjustable, it is aligned to point down the frame centerline.

3. The steer axle is aligned to the rear reference axle.

4. Sensors are moved from the front axle to the second rear axle. This axle is aligned to the reference axle.

For other vehicle configurations, similar procedures are followed, aligning all axles to a reference axle. 37 pre-programmed procedures are built into this system’s software.

Recognizing Factors That Can "Fool" the Alignment Technician

A computerized alignment system should have the capacity to recognize several factors that can affect alignment.

Compensation for Runout
Runout, due to bent or distorted rims, is common on heavy duty trucks and trailers. The aligner electronically compensates each sensor and correctly measures where the axle points.

Identifies and Corrects for Offset
Axle offset on heavy duty trucks and trailers is due, for example, to mismatched rims. The aligner allows the technician to measure the distances and input those measurements, automatically correcting for offset.

Wheel Balance and Its Effect on Tire Wear

When aligning the wheels don’t forget about the importance of proper balance. Maximizing tire wear requires proper balance in addition to alignment.

When a wheel and tire assembly is in balance, gravity will not allow it to rotate from a stopped position. If the assembly is out of balance, gravity will force it to rotate when the heavy portion is in any position but straight down.

When the wheel is put in motion, centrifugal force acts on the heavy spot, causing the rotating assembly to pull away from its axis.

The resulting force causes the wheel to “hop.” This causes vibration and increased tread wear in the form of “cupping.”