Front wheel track is a specific measurement related to a vehicle's front axle and its wheels.
It is the distance measured across the front axle from the centre line of one tyre tread to the centre line of the opposite tyre tread. This measurement is crucial for understanding a vehicle's stance and handling characteristics.
Understanding the Measurement
When determining front wheel track, the measurement is taken precisely from the imaginary vertical line running through the middle of the tyre tread on one side of the vehicle, straight across the front axle to the same point on the opposite front tyre.
- Key Point: The measurement uses the centre line of the tyre tread, not the outer edge or the wheel rim.
Factors Affecting Front Wheel Track
According to the provided reference, one significant factor that can alter the wheel track (including the front wheel track) is the fitting of wheels with a different offset.
- Wheel Offset: This refers to the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel (where it bolts to the hub) to the wheel's centerline.
- A lower or negative offset pushes the wheel further outwards, increasing the wheel track.
- A higher or positive offset pulls the wheel further inwards, decreasing the wheel track.
Other factors that could potentially influence wheel track, though not explicitly mentioned in the reference, might include suspension changes or modifications that affect the wheel mounting point.
Why Front Wheel Track Matters
The front wheel track, along with the rear wheel track and the wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles), forms the vehicle's 'footprint' on the road. It significantly impacts:
- Vehicle Stability: A wider track generally contributes to greater stability, especially when cornering.
- Handling: It influences how the vehicle responds to steering inputs.
- Ride Comfort: It can indirectly affect ride quality.
- Turning Radius: While primarily affected by steering angle, track can play a minor role.
Understanding front wheel track is essential for vehicle design, alignment procedures, and when considering aftermarket wheel or suspension modifications.
