Possible way to increase caster without shims.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Possible way to increase caster without shims.
I was doing an alignment on my new front suspension tonight and found my caster was about 9 degrees positive. A stock cross shaft gives about 3 maximum and 5 once I have modified it but now with the same crosshaft I had a range of 7 to 9.
I could not figure out why the change so I pulled the A arm back out just to look. I got the idea that maybe the crosshaft may not have the holes equally spaced between the bushings. A quick look confirmed this and the vernier proved it.
I pulled the shaft out, and the bushings do not need to be pulled to rotate the cross shaft end for end. It only takes a few minutes. I put it back together and I had my 5 degrees back.
What this was telling me is that if I had rotated the shaft last summer I could of got an extra 2 degrees positive caster out of the A arm without any other modification.
So guys if this holds true for you reversing the crosshafts end for end would increase your caster 2 degrees without any other modification.
I don't know if this is the case for everyone but it is something I discovered on my car this even.
Have a good evening
[Modified by norvalwilhelm, 7:03 PM 1/22/2004]
I could not figure out why the change so I pulled the A arm back out just to look. I got the idea that maybe the crosshaft may not have the holes equally spaced between the bushings. A quick look confirmed this and the vernier proved it.
I pulled the shaft out, and the bushings do not need to be pulled to rotate the cross shaft end for end. It only takes a few minutes. I put it back together and I had my 5 degrees back.
What this was telling me is that if I had rotated the shaft last summer I could of got an extra 2 degrees positive caster out of the A arm without any other modification.
So guys if this holds true for you reversing the crosshafts end for end would increase your caster 2 degrees without any other modification.
I don't know if this is the case for everyone but it is something I discovered on my car this even.
Have a good evening
[Modified by norvalwilhelm, 7:03 PM 1/22/2004]
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Quebec
Re: Possible way to increase caster without shims. (norvalwilhelm)
That would be awesome. I was prepare to spend a lot of $$ to get the caster around 5 degrees with tubular a-arm. Too bad my car is away for the winter, I'll check it for sure this spring.
Thanks
Stephan
Thanks
Stephan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Possible way to increase caster without shims. (norvalwilhelm)
Very interesting, indeed. I'll have to take a look at mine. Thanks for the observation.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Possible way to increase caster without shims. (burners)
...
I wonder about how hard it would be to tweak the spindle angle like when you drop a ford axle... just enough to align the front to racing specs!
:cheers:
I wonder about how hard it would be to tweak the spindle angle like when you drop a ford axle... just enough to align the front to racing specs!
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Possible way to increase caster without shims. (norvalwilhelm)
Oh no ... I gotta check mine, now. When I pressed the bushings into the top control arm, the shaft looked symmetric. I didn't get the calipers out.
I guess I should hope that I put them in 'wrong'. :lol:
I guess I should hope that I put them in 'wrong'. :lol:
