robo12

I'm planning on using C4 spindles for a hot rod and I'm interested in the King Pin Inclination angle that is built into the spindle. Can anyone share that info.

Thanks Robo

MSR

i haven't measured either one, but which year model were you looking at? (the early C4 has a better inclination, from a performance standpoint.)

LT4CEZ51

Out of idle curiosity, the king pin inclination angle is very dependent on the caster setting of the alignment (via the A-arms), so what frame of reference is used to measure it? Is the inclination angle of the spindle measured relative to the center line of the bore for the bottom ball joint stud? I assume that the King Pin Inclination angle is the same as the steering pivot axis or the caster angle.
Thanks,
Ted
96 CE LT4 Z51

robo12

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at a 1984 C4 spindle (Aluminum). From a measurement perspective, if you position the spindle such that the hub mounting flange is considered 90 degrees and if you could placed a dowel through both ball joint mounting holes what angle would the dowel be at with respect to the hub flange (90 degees).

MSR

the kingpin inclination is relative to 0 camber. i don't think it's dependent on caster at all. in fact, adding caster is an often used method of diminishing the camber loss associated with too much kingpin inclination.

both affect camber gain/loss through steering angle, but in different ways.

another way to say it, maybe, is that the kingpin angle is the angle you see when looking from in front of the car, caster from the side. kingpin is the "camber" of the axis, then. (relative to the wheel camber.)

MSR

like i said, i've never measured it myself, but for the '84 i've heard 7 degrees a couple of times.

LT4CEZ51

Thanks for straightening me out. I was off in my thinking; I thought he was referring to the caster angle. Now that I think about it, it makes a lot more sense in light of his question. :bb
Ted
96 CE LT4 Z51


[Modified by LT4CEZ51, 6:39 PM 4/18/2003]