Caster alignment

Setting wheel alignment caster. The final segment of four short videos on wheel alignment.

This video provides information on caster , and the role it plays on automobiles. What does caster do for alignment? It’s all about straight lines with caster. Trust us, this is going to be the best way to understand the caster setting. If you look at a bicycle from the side, the top of the spindle is angled rearward toward the rider.

The three major alignment parameters on a car are toe, camber, and caster. Most enthusiasts have a good understanding of what these settings are and what they involve, but many may not know why a particular setting is called for, or how it affects performance. Caster is a little less obvious.

Proper alignment is fundamental to your car’s safety and tire tread life. All four wheels must be consistent with each other, optimized for proper contact with the road surface. Your order may be eligible for Ship to Home, and shipping is free on all online orders of $35.

Below is a list of the alignment settings that are important for a wheel alignment technician to know about in order to diagnose front end problems. Fill Your Cart With Color Today! If you have positive caster , the steering axis will tilt toward the driver.

Negative caster , on the other han means the steering axis tilts toward the front of your vehicle. Why Tire Alignment Matters. Improper wheel or tire alignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely. Manufactures wheel alignment specifications are a compromise between handling, predictability, and gas mileage.

So if you take your car to the track, you will likely want to change your alignment , dialing in more camber, and less toe, for example. Having your own wheel alignment tool or camber gauge makes checking your own alignment easy. Online shopping from a great selection at Automotive Store.

The caster is a bit harder to visualize than camber and toe.

Most gearheads understand the basic definitions of caster , camber, and toe, but when it comes to actually measuring or setting these wheel- alignment specs, the easy solution is to bring the car to. An example of caster in action is the front wheels on a shopping cart. Factors affecting wheel alignment In theory, all four wheels should be perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Read on for more about alignment settings. Amounts shown in italicized text are for items listed in currency other than U. Camber and caster are two of the three common wheel alignment terms (with toe being the third).

Camber is the angle of “tilt” of the wheels and tires when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. Too much camber leads to tire wear. Even being in-spec the camber can easily be high enough to cause tire wear. This equipment is designed for the Professional Auto Repair Technician in a wheel alignment shop. This tool can measure camber AND caster , even on unlevel surfaces!

By diagnosing any tire problems, the camber and caster of your front-end alignment , and taking it for a road test, any questions can be easily answered. And then you can move onto How to Fix the Alignment on a Car ! CASTER , CAMBER, ALIGNMENT AND OTHER VOODOO ALIGNMENT. It is what causes your steering to ‘self-centre’. Correct caster is almost always positive.

When it comes to getting caster , camber, and toe right, it pays to use the right equipment, like this computerized four-wheel alignment machine. The “ caster ” refers to the angle of your steering axis (or pivot) when viewing your tires from the side. A perfectly aligned caster sees the steering axis pointing straight up and down.

Easy to use parts catalog. Follow the pre- alignment proce-dure as a guide to ensure all areas are inspected before actual adjustments are made. I put Hamp;R springs on and had my alignment done 2miles later.

The only other suspension modification is Stillen swaybars front and rear. Live help, fast shipping and great service are at your fingertips. QuickTrick Alignment offers portable wheel alignment tools and machines for manual use at home. Alignment technicians adjust four different settings to put a vehicle in proper alignment : caster , camber, toe, and ride height.

When setting your alignment , first set the caster (if it applies). The toe is changed when you change caster or camber, so it should always be set last. You must decide for yourself what alignment you want to run. To measure caster , the wheels must be turned.

Trying to adjust caster with too much toe-in is pointless, and you may get backwards like mentioned. Wheel alignment of a Ford Focus. Our performance alignment kits have been designed to provide the adjustment range needed to bring camber, caster , and toe within specs. Although changing ride height can affect alignment angles whether the height is raised or lowere a condition that’s common with lowered cars is excessive negative camber. You’re going to want negative camber well outside the OEM specs at the very least, along with more front caster (if you can get it) and.

They keep the vehicle moving along in a straight line without veering off in another direction. Poor alignment makes tires wear out faster, gas mileage go down and affects your control and handling. Service includes visual inspection of steering and suspension system, tire pressure and alignment angle adjustments. Overall alignment , based on these factors, should be checked to maintain an optimum balance of handling and tread wear. In addition, caster and camber can be altered when lowering your vehicle.

A proper alignment will reduce vibrations and maintain a straight trajectory without pulling to either side of the road. There are many service centers that can perform an alignment with the average wheel alignment cost being $for a single alignment up to $2for an extended warranty. Upgrade your vehicle to MOOG and experience a safe and comfortable ride. The parts are made tough to ensure reliable operation even under extreme conditions. This is a very important preventative maintenance.

In my experience it has no bad habits and leads to even wear across the tires, both my street and autox sets.