am I reading right?
#1
am I reading right?
Both my Chassis Service Manual and Chilton say my 68 Cutlass with power steering needs 1/2 to 2°- caster, WTH? This can't be right, can it? Somebody out there have some specs for caster, camber and toe? Thanks guys.
#5
From a road feel and stability standpoint, more caster is better. You can buy aftermarket upper control arms with the ball joint offset to the rear to allow more caster to be dialed in. I remember reading an article back in 1977 about the 1977 H/O prototype and they dialed in about 4 degrees of caster, well over the stock specs.
Keep in mind that as caster increases, steering force goes up. The lower numbers are intended to keep steering forces manageable for manual steering cars. With power steering, this isn't necessary.
Keep in mind that as caster increases, steering force goes up. The lower numbers are intended to keep steering forces manageable for manual steering cars. With power steering, this isn't necessary.
#7
You don't see the increased (+) factory caster settings much until mid-70s, after radial tires became common. They were part of Buick's Accu-Drive and Pontiac's Radial Tuned Suspension settings.
Look at specs for a garden-variety 73-77 Olds A-body and you'll see very similar to 64-72. Then look at the specs for Salon and Hurst/Olds and you'll see a substantial difference, mainly in more (+) caster settings. You need to be sure the alignment shop is aware of that too.
Look at specs for a garden-variety 73-77 Olds A-body and you'll see very similar to 64-72. Then look at the specs for Salon and Hurst/Olds and you'll see a substantial difference, mainly in more (+) caster settings. You need to be sure the alignment shop is aware of that too.
#10
Looking @ some old sheets from previous alignments on 70-72 cars we usually set caster @ +3 to +3 1/4 on left and +3 1/2 to +3 3/34 on the right w/ stock components. We max out the caster as each car will allow.
IIRC my blue car is +5 to +5 1/2 w/ aftermarket control arms.
Camber looks to run -1/4 to -1/2 on most of the cars w/ stock parts, no recollection on aftermarket set up.
Toe looks generally consistent @ + .07" (total) amongst the sheets.
IIRC my blue car is +5 to +5 1/2 w/ aftermarket control arms.
Camber looks to run -1/4 to -1/2 on most of the cars w/ stock parts, no recollection on aftermarket set up.
Toe looks generally consistent @ + .07" (total) amongst the sheets.
#11
I will not take my car to a franchised alignment place like a Pepboys, Sears, Firestone, Goodyear, etc... I usually try and find a place that specializes in heavy trucks. I have a local independent tire company that I take all my alignments to and he lets me watch as he works on the car. He will set it to anything I tell him.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The Stickman
General Discussion
0
November 30th, 2008 05:20 PM