Apparatus and methods for determining alignment of vehicle-mounted wheel

A method of inspecting a wheel mounted upon a vehicle, the method comprising:

• positioning a vehicle adjacent to a template, the vehicle having at least one wheel including a rim, the rim having an interior circumferential surface and an interior annular surface;
• providing a projector assembly comprising a plate and a light source attached to the plate, wherein the plate has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer perimeter, the bottom surface is substantially planar, and the outer perimeter includes an engagement portion;
• positioning the plate of the projector assembly at least partially within the rim of the wheel, while the wheel is mounted on the vehicle, such that the engagement portion contacts the interior circumferential surface and such that the bottom surface contacts the interior annular surface, with the bottom surface of the plate substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said wheel such that the light source projects light onto the template;
• emitting from the light source a plane of laser light that is substantially parallel with the bottom surface of the plate for protection onto the template as a line;
• and
• determining alignment of said wheel by observing the manner in which the light is projected upon the template by the light source.