Caster adjustment

[fiveSFE]

I recently got into a little accident, it really messed up my alignment, but i work a car dealership and am good friends with a service adviser/mechanic, we got the car up on the alignment rack.

he got the back wheels in spec, but he did not move onto the front wheel yet. He said that the caster is way off, he said that i am going to need an eccentric ball joint, or something adjust Caster we called up an auto parts store that we have contracts with but they said they have nothing of the kind.

anyways my mechanic told me to come on here and ask "what do you guys use to adjust caster??"

 

[RamenPride]

I was under the impression that caster isn't adjustable...... It usually means replacing suspension parts.

 

[fiveSFE]

yeah thats what i was thinking, but isnt there something after market that will help adjust caster? Maybe like an adjustable strut mount??

 

[Nanan]

No not really, the caster on DSM is fixed. It only really changes by suspension travel and the condition of the suspension componets.

 

[jtmcinder]

Caster can be changed by adding an adjustable upper ball-joint to a 2G or by adding camber/caster plates to a 1G.

- Jtoby

 

[fiveSFE]

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=141/CA=92

So something like this would work?

 

[jtmcinder]

For a 1G, yes. I would suggest the plate from RRE, though.

- Jtoby

 

[matt97gst]

Caster can be changed by adding an adjustable upper ball-joint to a 2G or by adding camber/caster plates to a 1G.

- Jtoby

How hard is it to flip the inboard bushing on the driver's-side compression arm for the 96+s to equalize the caster? What's all involved and is it worth it?

 

[jtmcinder]

Key need: a 10- or 20-ton press. Make something that will put the force on the outer sleeve of the bushing (and not the arm) and have at it. Rotate it exactly 180* (so mark it before you press it out) and press it back in. With proper tools, 15 minutes and definitely worth it as it will help the car turn right (since you will have 4.5* caster on both sides). Without proper tools, forget it.

- Jtoby