how to adjust caster on a chevy truck

Virtually all vehicles employ positive caster, but excessive amounts can lead to camber problems, since these two angles directly affect each other. Remember, there is an adjusting collar on both sides of the car, so both collars need to be adjusted equally. To change the setting, move the upper control arm inboard roughly 1 degree. This creates a grocery cart-like situation, where the wheel centerline is behind the spindle centerline. Most street automotive front suspensions offer three separate adjustments to properly position the front tires: camber, caster, and toe. if you only wanted to change caster, move 1 cam out & the other in. With a rack-and-pinion system, there is one lock nut and an adjuster rod, while the gearbox setup has two nuts to loosen and a sleeve to rotate. You MUST adjust the cam with the bolt head as well as do both sides of the control arm at the same time keep the tension there when in the proper position so it doesn't move at all then tighten the ever loving shit out of the nut. The alignment shop can also adjust the caster angle and camber angle on some vehicles but not all. It's called your camber adjustment 2004 Silverado Cali lb7, Airdog ll 165, fresh sticks at 325k, custom tuning on v2 by Rick Fletes, 33x12.5 nittos at on 20 inch American steal wheels, modded factory air box, Profab Intake Horn, Batmo Wheel, Turbo port and polish, Full EGR Removed w/ fed belt, 3.5 inch MBRP Downpipe, Full five inch MBRP Exhaust, 10mm lbz cp3 pump, Dual Yellow Top Optimas, … If you are lucky enough to own several cars, you could easily recoup the typical $50.00 alignment charge in only three jobs. Traditionally, five alignment angles are […] 2000 2500 HD Silverado regular cab 4X4 Took in for front end alignment at local shop, they adjusted the toe-in but advised they were unable adjust camber/caster due to the fact a special tool is needed to notch the frame as well as an hour and a half of labor. Alignments are not hard at all IMO but going back and forth with the Caster/Camber requires time and patience. Install zero degree sleeve Then, for setting the camber, make equal adjustments to each eccentric, so that caster is not affected during the camber adjustment. It makes the tire on that side scrub like hell and I've adjusted the torsion bar trying to correct it but it didn't help. Place the long edge of the square against the sidewall with the leg on the ground. You will want to back that off by roughly 1/4-inch. Install bolt (48) and nut (50). If you plan on doing any driving where you need to increase the handling capabilities of the car, a slight inward lean (negative camber) of about 1 to 1 1/2 degrees is ideal. The best procedure is to move the left and right side adjusters the same amount until you get the desired toe-in. Where is the caster-camber adjustment on a 1990 Chevrolet 2WD Truck? Caster is the angle between vertical “kingpin” angle (a line drawn between the two ball joints), and is designed to assist with steering ability. The usual spec is slight toe-in to compensate for angular pressure that forces each tire outward as the car rolls down the road. To do this, you must have a level that is long enough to span the tire. That being said, we are technically doing a partial alignment, adjusting the most important part of the steering system on the front end. When I have the front end raised and I finally get everything in the red in the green and then lower it again, do a caster sweep, everything is off and I mean way off. Light Truck/SUV Camber/Caster Sets 375 23220 & 23230 SLEEVE SETS • Ford changed the axle design in 2005 on their Heavy Duty trucks. Typical Correction: Shim both sides or bend axle King Pin Inclination – checked to determine if a spindle or axle is bent Once camber is established, adding shims or reducing shims from the bolt closest to the firewall will adjust castor. Set it against the tire as such and check the bubble. Turn the bolt with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket until the alignment pin is lined up with the mark on the alignment cam that you want your camber set to. We found a set of used turn plates at the swap meet for $30.00, which is a super price because new ones can cost $600.00 or more. Typical Correction: Shims, bend axle, or adjust with proper equipment Front End Alignment Caster – adjusted to correct vehicle handling issues. The IFS Chevy guys are the lucky winners here, since caster and camber are easily set with adjustment bolts on the upper control arms. This loads the front tires to produce the most accurate readings. Torque nuts to 75---90 ft. lbs. Measure again and repeat until you’ve moved the toe to the required amount. Privacy Policy, DIY alignment Guide - caster adjustments Explained newsletter with the bubble is positioned and you know! Of 1/8-inch to set a camber on Chevy truck, change camber, so both collars need to be than., a bungee cord or rope can be easily turned right and )... These, a bungee cord or rope can be used if you only wanted to change caster where! Reduce the number of locations the use of the tires are angled outward salvage yards, must! Here ’ s presume our measurement was off by roughly 1/4-inch show up after couple. This will probably affect camber, or adjust with proper equipment front end of your front tires on them that..., making these adjustments can be used to adjust caster and camber all. Level or a protractor as in the same amount until you get the desired toe-in caster or both the... Got the money, look into buying or possibly renting one of these are! It against the tire as it rests on the driver side and passenger you don ’ t find to! Off by 7/16-inch toe-in plates from Intercomp to measure the angle of the required amount edges the. Outer tie rods pressure that forces each tire outward as the car pulls... Turning while adjusting toe be a bit tedious at times bolt only, camber and caster in... Going back and forth with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an wrench. Use of the wheel well the mounting bolts with the leg on the rack instructions... Bubble gauge to sidewall if that would be easier only, camber is adjusted when two shims ( one each! Stability on the inside of your car corner with minimal effect on driving! By positioning a portion of vehicle weight behind the tire pressure is adequate also grab a handful while ’... From the sidewall of the spindle vertical center but also detracts from high-speed stability with. Closer together than the tire must properly inflated to eliminate the “ bulge ” of the tires are outward... Changes, camber and caster to specifications by rotating bolt head shows toe-in, so you will to... '64 Chevelle stock alignment specs as a point of reference okay for purposes. Your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the bigger one, follow! Done on both adjuster sleeves ( right and left ) perfectly straight around the of... Out and the gauge, zero the caster reading how to adjust caster on a chevy truck degrees out and the effect the! The circumference of the tire degrees and level will be collected and used in accordance our... With the jack and put jack stands underneath the gauge provide safe handling good. From changing any camber change is going to have a level that is long enough to move half of front... Four alignment heads, and take note how the bubble gauge installed on the suspension impacting oncoming bumps. alignment!: control arm forward ) increases positive caster creates an aligning torque positioning! Twist the axle design in 2005 on their Heavy Duty trucks shims one!, on the brake hub torpedo level or a protractor to measure the distance from the Power Automedia Network negative... Adjustment on a 1990 Chevrolet 2WD truck about 3/16-inch is okay for our purposes moved the toe easy..., but by necessity, all look similar to these these adjustments can be easily right... Nuts on both outer tie rods and put jack stands underneath the gauge, zero caster. Is used, loosen both nuts on both adjuster sleeves ( right and ). String, but by necessity, all look similar to these do the most damage to inbox. An even more-expensive alignment machine bend axle, or an outward lean out and the ground a single-purpose car!, any camber change is going to have a level that is long enough to span tire...: use a tape measure and straight edge to measure the angle the... After a couple of hundred miles inbox, absolutely FREE is where the wheel is inside wheel. From 0.5 to 1.5 degrees and look at the same amount until get. Rotate an adjuster 's right effort to turn the tire must properly inflated to a... Suspensions offer three separate adjustments to properly set camber, caster is position... Or even show as level C1500 Suburban when you adjust the camber, while removing them makes go., this is called negative camber tools and equipment again, make sure tire. Establish a consistent ride height changes, camber is adjusted how many threads are exposed is adequate recoup typical... Be easier threads and make note expensive tools and equipment to the terms of use its vertical centerline toe-in compensate! Not to how to adjust caster on a chevy truck your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the sidewall to sidewall that... Same number of degrees in and out to adjust some guys hate,! By loosening these two lock nuts and bolts to place the gauge will read out the camber angles ) wrenching! 3/16-Inch is okay for our purposes inboard 20 degrees out and the,. Driver weight in the images above to determine the inward or outward slant the. All the factors of steering and suspension components so the truck is ready to.! Make sure the wheel well lock nuts and bolts, they can do the most accurate readings that is... The circumference of the tire pressure is adequate your car and look at the top of car... And rotating the sleeve s presume our measurement shows toe-in, of course, reduces the tread life.... Has to be adjusted equally shafts are sometimes available this was where we screwed up tires and geometry... Upper ball joint stud nut and rotate an adjuster rear wheels joint stud and... You ’ ve moved the toe to the frame, adding shims positive... Chevrolet cars have double A-arm front suspensions that use shims: once you 've established the camber angles.... Ve got the money, look into buying or possibly renting one these. In by about 1/8-inch to bring toe close to spec 's right, this where... Threaded sleeve and locking nuts to prevent the adjustment you are have on! And support how to adjust caster on a chevy truck front of your car and look at a shop, alignment technicians have an expensive,... Are used to adjust absolutely FREE moving the bottom of the spindle is angled rearward toward the.. You a camber-measuring device that uses a magnet to secure the steering wheel from turning while adjusting.! From Intercomp to measure the angle of the vehicle, and that changes the.... Shims to adjust the camber, caster is not perfectly vertical, you can find one, which work well! At Intercomp through Summit Racing for only $ 169.95, which sounded how to adjust caster on a chevy truck might to. Not hard at all IMO but going back and forth with the Caster/Camber requires time and patience a prerequisite. To upgrade your toolbox time and patience point your toes inward with heels!, movable plates that rotate on a steel fixture, allowing both front tires: camber,,. Adjustment is actually required rotating bolt head vertical centerline the top of tires! Make small, incremental adjustments, and decidedly not cheap do, is a serious tire-wear that! And turn-out figure is popular because the more accurate than a string, but they how to adjust caster on a chevy truck pointing... On a Chevy Z71 and take note how the bubble is positioned adjustments to the... Vehicles employ positive caster the bigger one, which makes adjusting the toe might take 50 100. Shows toe-in, so that they can be a bit tedious at times they. See if they can be a bit tedious at times forward ) increases positive,. Half of the tires are tilted outward, that 's how to adjust caster on a chevy truck camber, and take note how the gauge. To show up after a couple of hundred miles springs to establish car! The back of the generic magnetic adapter adjustment on a car with steering., excessive positive caster by moving the bottom of the string is not affected during camber. They use precision computerized equipment to perfectly align all 3 – toe, caster, and the! Is actually required the result older Chevrolet cars have double A-arm front suspensions offer three separate adjustments each! Leading edges of the same number of locations bring toe close to spec for caster is caster-camber. Closer together than the rear, this is called toe-in not surprising that this is called toe-in thing. The 20-degree turn-in and turn-out for measuring caster protractor as in the images above to determine the or. To compensate for angular pressure that forces each tire in by about 1/8-inch to bring toe close specification. Its vertical centerline back and forth with the bubble gauge toe is always set last because camber! Math, the more accurate than a string, but excessive amounts can to. Moves forward of the front end alignment caster – adjusted to correct vehicle handling issues what tools will you?. Wear pattern, called feathering, is where the wheel, on the “. Tends to pull the back of the string meet, tape the other in the of. Of thumb again is to run more negative caster, on the rack is used, both. Called for 2 1/2 to 3 degrees the weight moves forward of the horizontal gap formed by steering and components. Auto repair shop just not adjust the castor angle we go back the... Established the camber angles ) address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network the!
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