Front Wheel Tire Alignment

[James Gatan]

Minus 1 wheel behind, is it even doable?

[Dennis Swaney]

Do trikes need to be aligned? If so, then it should be similar.

I just checked on a Can-Am forum and toe-in is critical. On the Can-Am the sweet spot supposedly is about 1/2″ (12 – 13mm).

• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by  Dennis Swaney.

[James Gatan]

You mean, this is how you do it?

https://youtu.be/Ho12zpOkAPAhttps://youtu.be/Ho12zpOkAPA

Seriously, you have got to be kidding right.. 😄

Front wheel alignment service on an Aptera, seems to be a very grey area..

[Dennis Swaney]

Well, he made his own measuring jig, plus the Can-Am is open air. There is also the Rolo Laser Alignment Kit for the Can-Am Spyder. However, when the design is FINALIZED, I’m sure Aptera will publish alignment specs and procedures. Heck, maybe if there is enough demand you might convince Rolo to make a laser alignment kit for the Aptera.

James, I replied to your reply to this post about checking with Morgan dealers, but on my screen it is covered up by a “What About Alignment” graphic.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by  Dennis Swaney.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by  Dennis Swaney.

[James Gatan]

I know. We’ll see when this gets FINALIZED. It was discussed before, but was left open ended.

https://aptera.us/community/discussion/what-about-alignment/

Performing the procedure, is a whole different ball game in itself..

We will see. 🤣

What About Alignment?

[Dennis Swaney]

Agreed. However, there have been three wheel cars around for years, like the Morgan Super 3. There are Morgan dealers in the Denver, CO and in Costa Mesa & Santa Monica, CA areas so maybe some one in the vicinity could stop in and ask how they do wheel alignments.

[James Gatan]

Dennis, unfortunately I am nowhere near any Morgan dealer. Yes, someone in the community who is close to one could possibly inquire from Morgan, on proper 3 wheel alignment info (if there ever was). It’s ridiculous that there is no info at all, from the internets..

Btw, I should’ve titled this thread as “3 Wheel Tire Alignment”..

[Bob Kirchner]

Back in the late pleistocene when I first learned to drive, it was quite common to align the front wheels without reference to the rear wheels. It was only when independent rear suspensions became commonplace that four wheel alignment became a thing. In theory there’s no reason it shouldn’t be possible, although alignment systems that put the vehicle up on beams would present a problem for the rear wheel.

[James Gatan]

Yes that too, Bob. There is no 3 wheel alignment lift that I know of. Possibly, a shop can gerry rig improvise a moveable/sliding rear perpendicular metal plank, for the rear wheel tire to rest on? It is possible though, just to do the front wheels. However, the front tires has to be parallel, in relation to the one rear. I’d hate to see a feathered tire wear on the rear (dragging it sideways) due to wrong tire geometry alignment. Besides, there is no question that misaligned tires on an Aptera would definitely affect it’s range efficiency.

I am amazed, that this common regular tire maintenance item, was not brought up before by anyone for the Aptera folks to address, beyond these forums.

The (poor) single rear wheel tire, seems to be neglected.. 🤣

[kerbe2705]

I believe the term for this is “Front End Alignment” – as opposed to “Wheel Alignment”.

[James Gatan]

Same thing. No need to be a word police.