69427

I recently put a C4 suspension under my '69, and I'm doing some alignment tweaks on it. I can measure the camber and toe-in, but presently I don't have a caster gauge yet. So, the caster is just roughed in. What is the steering effect if the l/r caster isn't the same (ie: pull to either side)?

Thanks,
Mike

mgarfias

It'll tend to pull into the side with less caster. The circle track guys use this to help point the car into the corner.

69427

This is the part that has me a bit unclear. I would expect that the wheel with greater caster would try to point straight ahead, but the interaction of the other tire is unclear. Would the car try to pull/drift left or right depending on which way the other tire is pointed (if there is excessive toe-in or out), or would the lower castered tire just produce pure drag (regardless of which way it's pointed), and the car would drift in the direction of the lower castered tire, as it sounds from your statement above?

Thanks a bunch!

davidfarmer

more castor also increases steering resistance, and gives you more camber while turning. Excessive unequal castor will give an uneven steering resistance turning different directions, not give adequate self-centering, and cause handling to vary (give symmetric static camber) from direction to direction.

If you go to my site and download my alignment guide (davidfarmerstuff.com), you can easily measure castor at home. Castor doesn't have to be perfect, but you want it with 1/2 degree or so.

JDIllon

I use David's info all of the time and it works great. If you want to make it a little easier. Buy a digital level with a laser 24" from Sears and you can do everything with it, and you won't have to convert inches to degree's. Simple, easy and lots of fun if you enjoy working on your own car. JD