Quick iPhone Camber/Caster Check
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Quick iPhone Camber/Caster Check
I found a free iPhone app called the "Tremec Toolbox" that has a section for checking drive line pinion angles and thought I would see how accurate it is on checking camber. I had set rear camber recently by using a string type plumb bob and measuring and then backing that measurement up with a camber/caster gauge with rear camber set at zero degrees. The iPhone app was dead on and the scale is down to 1/10 of a degree. I was pretty impressed. With a protractor app for taking front wheel left and right degree settings castor measurements are really easy as well as camber. The straight edge in the pic is an old piece of granite counter top because it's straight, flat and doesn't flex.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
From: Fort McMurray Alberta
I downloaded it and played around. Very cool tool! Has an RPM calc - tire size calc etc. |I like it 
I'm putting the front suspension in this weekend and this will be great to get the camber lined up.
Thx CG.
I'm putting the front suspension in this weekend and this will be great to get the camber lined up.
Thx CG.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Grant
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
I found a free iPhone app called the "Tremec Toolbox" that has a section for checking drive line pinion angles and thought I would see how accurate it is on checking camber. I had set rear camber recently by using a string type plumb bob and measuring and then backing that measurement up with a camber/caster gauge with rear camber set at zero degrees. The iPhone app was dead on and the scale is down to 1/10 of a degree. I was pretty impressed. With a protractor app for taking front wheel left and right degree settings castor measurements are really easy as well as camber. The straight edge in the pic is an old piece of granite counter top because it's straight, flat and doesn't flex.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Tampa, Florida
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Hi Brian. Caster angles are really easy and fast to check. Put your straight edge parallel to the floor instead of vertical with your wheels straight ahead and use your compass app to take a reading. Now turn your wheels 20 degrees left using your compass app. Now take your camber reading then 20 degrees to the right of center and take another camber reading. The difference between the two camber readings x 1.5 is your caster. I had to increase my positive caster as it was almost zero and was like driving a shopping cart. I found that to avoid changing camber by much when increasing caster it was best to remove a shim from the front mount and install it in the rear. This keeps the pivot point in the center of the upper control arm shaft instead of pivoting at one end. Alan posted a very good pic on this recently but I can't find it.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Feb 19, 2017 at 12:47 AM. Reason: edited for 1.5 multiple to obtain true caster
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 598
http://www.smartracingproducts.com/s...nal_update.pdf
Goto page 8
Note
Multiplication
Factors
20°= 1.5
15°= 2.0
10°= 3.0
I use this
http://www.longacreracing.com/produc...%a2+LW+Adapter
This unit has a mode to read caster direct and requires 15 degree turns.
Only reader camber at the 2 angles confirms the above calculation factors. @ 15 degrees using camber readings = Longarc camber caster gauge. I also confirmed the 20 degree and 10 degree options.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
This is not correct. Read this. This also shows how to determine positive vs negative caster.
http://www.smartracingproducts.com/s...nal_update.pdf
Goto page 8
Note
Multiplication
Factors
20°= 1.5
15°= 2.0
10°= 3.0
I use this
http://www.longacreracing.com/produc...%a2+LW+Adapter
This unit has a mode to read caster direct and requires 15 degree turns.
Only reader camber at the 2 angles confirms the above calculation factors. @ 15 degrees using camber readings = Longarc camber caster gauge. I also confirmed the 20 degree and 10 degree options.
http://www.smartracingproducts.com/s...nal_update.pdf
Goto page 8
Note
Multiplication
Factors
20°= 1.5
15°= 2.0
10°= 3.0
I use this
http://www.longacreracing.com/produc...%a2+LW+Adapter
This unit has a mode to read caster direct and requires 15 degree turns.
Only reader camber at the 2 angles confirms the above calculation factors. @ 15 degrees using camber readings = Longarc camber caster gauge. I also confirmed the 20 degree and 10 degree options.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Feb 19, 2017 at 12:49 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
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From: NYC NY
And I just wanted my I phone to be phone. Now you can't fully function in life without it. That becomes more and more apparent every day. When you realize it's not with it almost becomes a panic situation.