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Too Much Caster?

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Old 11-05-2023, 02:54 PM
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'75
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Default Too Much Caster?

How much is to much. I put on the Belair tubular upper and lower control arms a few years ago. I've been driving it and just now got around to doing the alignment, drives very nice btw.

Left No shims
1 1/4 deg neg camber
8 deg pos caster

Right No shims
1 1/2 deg neg camber
8 1/2 deg pos caster.


Old 11-05-2023, 03:07 PM
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MelWff
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Look at the chart in post 3, has a number of suggestions with offset arms. Van Steel shows 8.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...74-c3-l82.html
Old 11-05-2023, 05:05 PM
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sunflower 1972
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I found this old thread in the Autocross and Road Racing side of the forum: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ch-caster.html
Seems like a reasonable explanation.
Old 11-05-2023, 06:53 PM
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IMO, I think you are fine with that setting,
Old 11-05-2023, 07:39 PM
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'75
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I don't have bearing plates for the alignment process, so I use plastic bags with a little oil inside, very slippery. To zero the castor vial, I turn the wheel out 20 deg. With that much caster, the wheels try to straighten themselves. Same when I turn them in 20 deg to get the reading. I was hoping for 4 to 5 deg, no wonder it's so stable feeling at higher speeds.
Old 11-06-2023, 01:28 AM
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427Hotrod
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If you can get it...use it.

JIM
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Old 11-06-2023, 07:49 AM
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As long as steering effort and the parking lot "climb" in the front at full lock are not too bad for you then keep it........I would be more concerned over that autocross 1.25 degree camber setting......it will increase tire wear....but if you are ok with that then again, leave it.....
I snagged this chart a long time ago and refer to it a lot.....



Jebby
Old 11-06-2023, 11:21 AM
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73C34me
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On my car, anything above 6 degrees pushed the tire close to the fender wheel opening and or inner wheel well upon full turning.
Old 11-06-2023, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
As long as steering effort and the parking lot "climb" in the front at full lock are not too bad for you then keep it.Jebby
Have not heard that term before, thanks!
Old 11-06-2023, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by ignatz
Have not heard that term before, thanks!
It is so noticeable in some alignments when people are turning at full lock in a car with 8 degrees of caster.....the whole front of the car lifts on one side.....and as mentioned above....it does weird **** to what happens to the centerline of the wheel in the fenderwell.....one side is actually going up and the other down.......

Jebby
Old 11-06-2023, 05:42 PM
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'75
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I've been driving it this way for a couple summers and haven't noticed any problems. I'll leave it alone for now. My tires age out long before they wear out, hoping to change that after retirement in a few years.
Old 11-07-2023, 09:58 PM
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I am jealous that you can get that much caster. I plan on moving to a slotted shaft or new arms at some point. I got 3.25 degrees but neutral camber with stock parts.

You know what they say: You can never be too rich or have too much caster (in a C3 with power steering).

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