Abstract: Steering wheel lash and suspension play are checked by comparing predefined movements of the steering wheel and the road wheels. A steering wheel fixture adapted to be mounted to the steering wheel particularly facilitates the steering wheel lash determination. Quickly mountable and removable road wheel angle sensors also facilitate the method.

Abstract: A sideslip tester detects sideslip and scrub in a vehicle having a steering axle and one or more pairs of tandem axles. The sideslip tester has a runway having a measurement plate which is moved laterally with respect to its longitudinal axis as a tire of the vehicle passes over the measurement plate as a result of lateral forces acting upon the tire. A lateral movement sensor operatively connected to the measurement plate determines the amount of lateral movement of the measurement plate as the vehicle tire passes over the plate and provides an output corresponding to the amount of lateral movement measured. The sideslip tester can determine when it is presented with tandem axles. When it is presented with tandem axles, the sideslip tester will determine the scrub angle of the tandem axles to determine if they are parallel.

Abstract: A sideslip meter includes first and second parallel runways. The first runway has a measurement plate movable laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle along the runway as a tire of said vehicle passes over the measurement plate. A lateral movement sensor senses the amount of lateral movement of the measurement plate and provides a corresponding output signal. First and second switches are spaced along the first runway. Each switch is actuated by the passage of a vehicle tire so that passage of the vehicle causes first one and then the other of the switches to be actuated. A display is provided for displaying information concerning lateral movement of the measurement plate. A control circuit determines vehicle velocity and vehicle direction from the actuations of the first and second switches and inhibits the display if the velocity is too fast or too slow, or if the vehicle is going backwards over the runways.