Alignment
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,445
Likes: 1,869
From: Folsom CA
When you think of Caster think of casting a fishing rod forward and back.
Camber is tilting your tire in and out, so top of the tire can be moved closer to the engine block or closer to the outside away from your engine block. Shims can easily affect Camber.
Camber change will involve new or modified upper control arm mounts to slide the upper mount toward the rear bumper or towards the front bumper depending on if you are adding positive or negative caster. I think you are looking to move the upper control arm closer to the rear bumper to pick up additional control in straight line and returnability off corners. I am sure others here can offer more detailed information but this is basics.
Camber is tilting your tire in and out, so top of the tire can be moved closer to the engine block or closer to the outside away from your engine block. Shims can easily affect Camber.
Camber change will involve new or modified upper control arm mounts to slide the upper mount toward the rear bumper or towards the front bumper depending on if you are adding positive or negative caster. I think you are looking to move the upper control arm closer to the rear bumper to pick up additional control in straight line and returnability off corners. I am sure others here can offer more detailed information but this is basics.
Last edited by Westlotorn; Feb 20, 2012 at 01:13 PM. Reason: Correcting mis print, shims can easily affect camber.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,639
Likes: 3,653
From: Central Arkansas
Special upper cross shafts with off-center cast bushing shaft ends are available to increase caster.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 7
From: DFW
Shims go same place as for camber, on the two studs that mount the upper control arm shaft to the frame. Roughly, total number of shims determines camber. Their allocation between the front and rear studs sets the caster. Caster is increased by moving the upper ball joint aft. Slotted control arm shafts let you do it directly, without messing with shims. Offset control arm shafts let you do it with fewer total shims.
Harry
Harry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,445
Likes: 1,869
From: Folsom CA
Sorry for confusing the issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Shims go same place as for camber, on the two studs that mount the upper control arm shaft to the frame. Roughly, total number of shims determines camber. Their allocation between the front and rear studs sets the caster. Caster is increased by moving the upper ball joint aft. Slotted control arm shafts let you do it directly, without messing with shims. Offset control arm shafts let you do it with fewer total shims.
Harry
Harry
Both caster AND camber are adjusted using the shims.Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,445
Likes: 1,869
From: Folsom CA
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Washington Michigan
No, it's not - brass is too soft, and won't hold the required torque; use the standard steel shims.
Adding or removing the same number of shims at both the front and rear studs at the same time changes camber (adding makes it go negative, removing makes it go positive). Adding shims at the rear and/or removing them at the front moves the upper ball joint rearward, increasing positive caster, but it has to be done in concert with the camber adjustment, on an alignment rack.
Adding or removing the same number of shims at both the front and rear studs at the same time changes camber (adding makes it go negative, removing makes it go positive). Adding shims at the rear and/or removing them at the front moves the upper ball joint rearward, increasing positive caster, but it has to be done in concert with the camber adjustment, on an alignment rack.
