2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission caster adjustment

[Hobart]

Which way do I turn the eccentrics to increase caster - toward the front or the back of the truck?

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Move the bottom ball joint forward to increase caster angle. Remember you'll have to readjust the toe.

Joe

 

[Hobart]

You mean the pointer? The pointer on the passenger side is a notch more toward the front than the driver's side. Since there is a slight pull to the left I'm thinking that might be the problem

 

[Bob V]

You can not change the caster from side to side. The axle is one piece and all you will do is distort the rubber bushings.

 

[Hobart]

As I understand it the pointers should be the same right? So I should reset one of them.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

I also understood that the pointers should be the same but often aren't - viz hurried jobs at second rate shops, and THAT was how axles got cross-castered. Also does it just distort bushings or also tend to nudge one side forward and out of square with the vehicle midline??

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Hi Hobart,

Unless you have an alignment machine don't fool with the front end adjustments. No good can come from it. If the pointers are not equal from side to side, then someone has misadjusted it at some point. Find a qualified aligment shop and have them straighten it out. If you move one side to make them equal then you are going to change the toe setting. Incorrect toe settings will wear your tires out faster than any other alignment angle. Don't forget to tell them that you're trying to correct a pull.

Joe

 

[Bob V]

The pointers could be off from side to side from the factory so don't worry about them being different. As far as the toe being affected by changing the caster cams, it wont happen. The toe will not change a measurable amount by moving the cams, all it will change is the caster, on both sides. If the truck is pulling top one side the first check is tire are pressure, if that is OK swap tires side to side and se if the "pull" changes sides. It can also be the road, some roads have more crown than others.

 

[SnoKing]

Which way do I turn the eccentrics to increase caster - toward the front or the back of the truck?

Top towards the front I believe. More caster will cause it to track straighter, and will increase the steering effort a bit. SNOKING

 

[Makensmoke]

Tipping the top back makes it track nice down the road... lessens wander, in turn it puts more strain on the ball joints. I found a happy medium I think. I have played with my cams for years finding this medium, attempting to compensate for an average amount of crown in the road, etc. I've always rotated my tires every other oil change and haven't had any premature wear due to front end adjustments in the 2 years I have been fine tuning this adjustment.

Just my . 02.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Tipping the top back makes it track nice down the road... lessens wander, in turn it puts more strain on the ball joints. I found a happy medium I think. I have played with my cams for years finding this medium, attempting to compensate for an average amount of crown in the road, etc. I've always rotated my tires every other oil change and haven't had any premature wear due to front end adjustments in the 2 years I have been fine tuning this adjustment.

Just my . 02.

What is your happen medium point on the caster?



Thanks,

Dan