Too Much Caster?
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#2
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
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...74-c3-l82.html
#3
Drifting
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.
Seems like a reasonable explanation.
#5
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
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.
#7
Dr. Detroit
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: New Braunfels Texas
Posts: 9,963
Received 3,893 Likes
on
2,564 Posts
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
I snagged this chart a long time ago and refer to it a lot.....
Jebby
#8
Burning Brakes
On my car, anything above 6 degrees pushed the tire close to the fender wheel opening and or inner wheel well upon full turning.
#10
Dr. Detroit
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: New Braunfels Texas
Posts: 9,963
Received 3,893 Likes
on
2,564 Posts
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
Jebby
#11
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
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.
#12
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).
You know what they say: You can never be too rich or have too much caster (in a C3 with power steering).
The following users liked this post:
'75 (11-08-2023)