METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AUDIT

A method and apparatus for auditing motor vehicle wheel alignment includes a sensor for passively detecting physical cartesian relationships of at least one wheel on each motor vehicle, and a test station positioned for serially addressing each of the plurality of motor vehicles. A programmed computer control calculates measurements in response to representative signals from the sensors to identify the conditions of caster, camber and toe on the vehicle. A programmed analyzer for processing statistical process control techniques generates statistical data responsive to calculated measurements from the program computer control. Preferably, the test station is conveniently located along the production line for continuous but non-invasive detection of vehicle compliance with a predetermined level of standard deviation. Preferably, a feedback control responsive to the calculated measurements can adjust production fixture specifications or alignment settings when the analyzer identifies a threshold level of variation from the standard deviation. In the preferred embodiment, the test station has a tire rotator to adjust the sensed data for run-out.