Device for adjusting toe of a vehicle wheel

Claim 1

A device for adjusting a wheel attached to a vehicle by a suspension system that includes at least one arm member affecting wheel alignment, said member having an end with a first bore transversely disposed therethrough with respect to the axis of the member, said first bore being coaxially disposed along a first axis of a second bore disposed in mounting means attached to the vehicle and a bolt means extending through the first and second bores along the first axis, the device comprising: a base having a third bore with a first center; engaging means extending outwardly from the base for engaging the second bore, the engaging means having an outer arcuate surface that secures against an inner curvature of the first bore thereby centering the third bore a preselected distance from the first axis; wherein the bolt means extends through the first, second and third bores such that the bolt means lies along a second axis disposed from the first axis; and a plurality of prongs extending from a side of the base member facing the mounting means.

Claim 2

A device for adjusting a wheel attached to a vehicle by a suspension system that includes at least one arm member affecting wheel alignment, said member having an end with a first bore transversely disposed therethrough with respect to the axis of the member, said first bore being coaxially disposed along a first axis of a second bore disposed in mounting means attached to the vehicle and a bolt means extending through the first and second bores along the first axis, the device comprising: a base having a third bore with a first center; engaging means extending outwardly from the base for engaging the second bore, the engaging means having an outer arcuate surface that secures against an inner curvature of the first bore thereby centering the third bore a preselected distance from the first axis; wherein the bolt means extends through the first, second and third bores such that the bolt means lies along a second axis disposed from the first axis; and a plurality of prongs extending from a side of the base member facing the mounting means.

Claim 3

A method for adjusting alignment of a wheel attached to a vehicle by a suspension system that includes at least one arm member affecting wheel alignment said member having an end with a first bore transversely disposed therethrough with respect to the axis of the member, said first bore being coaxially disposed along a first axis of a second bore disposed in mounting means attached to the vehicle and a bolt means extending through the first and second bores along the first axis, the method comprising: disconnecting the arm member from the mounting means by removing the bolt means; positioning a device having a plurality of prongs extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the mounting means such that the device is retained in position, the device having a member with an engaging portion extending outwardly from the device having an outer arcuate surface wherein the outer arcuate surface of the engaging portion secures against the inner curvature of the first bore the member having a third bore that lies along a second axis; and reconnecting the arm member by inserting the bolt means through the first, second and third bores to reconnect the arm member to the mounting means such that the second axis is disposed from the first axis.

Claim 4

A method for adjusting alignment of a wheel attached to a vehicle by a suspension system that includes at least one arm member affecting wheel alignment said member having an end with a first bore transversely disposed therethrough with respect to the axis of the member, said first bore being coaxially disposed along a first axis of a second bore disposed in mounting means attached to the vehicle and a bolt means extending through the first and second bores along the first axis, the method comprising: disconnecting the arm member from the mounting means by removing the bolt means; positioning a device having a plurality of prongs extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the mounting means such that the device is retained in position, the device having a member with an engaging portion extending outwardly from the device having an outer arcuate surface wherein the outer arcuate surface of the engaging portion secures against the inner curvature of the first bore the member having a third bore that lies along a second axis; and reconnecting the arm member by inserting the bolt means through the first, second and third bores to reconnect the arm member to the mounting means such that the second axis is disposed from the first axis.