how to measure camber and caster angle

Can too much caster cause death wobble? Caster is the angle formed between the vertical steering axis of a wheel and its projection onto the ground. 1. Measure and note down the distances BC, AD and AB. Lastly, set the toe. Tighten See how your go kart reacts. While zero caster is better than negative caster in modern vehicles, it's far from perfect. The visual of caster angle is not distinct like the camber angle. Caster affects a vehicles resistance to turning, and changes the amount of camber gain a wheel has when turned. All because of it's "caster" position. Do you know what your caster angle is? Scribe a sharp concentric line in the paint on the tread by spinning the tire. One of the first adjustments to make is to set ride height. Here are the basic aspects of steering tuning. It's basically just a little bubble level with a 2-inch round magnetic base at a right angle to the level. The hole in the cam should be around 11:30 o'clock on the left (drivers) side and around 1 o'clock on the right (passenger) side. Turn the wheel 20 degrees IN (meaning that this wheel would be on the inside of the curve) Measure camber. Similarly, locate the lowermost point (C) on the rim and find the projection of that on the metal square (B). The (SAI) Steering Axis Inclination angle is created and measured in degrees. If it comes straight up the tire the defining angle will be the zero . There are 3 types of caster angle: Positive Caster turn 20 deg to right (in), camber measures +0.25 deg. . IOW, the caster is just the difference between the two camber readings, no funny or new math involved here? If the top is out further than the bottom this is positive camber. The angle between the drawn line and vertical is the caster angle. The difference in the measurements gives 0.75 degrees of positive caster, correct? 3. The disadvantage of a positive caster is when the vehicle does not have power steering. I converted this measurement to millimeters with mm = (inch * 25.4) Step 2) Place the bottom of the level against the base of the tire or wheel. Once you get your head around this it is easy. If not, repeat the process again until you are satisfied with the result. The Camber Angle calculator computes the camber angle () based on the camber offset (o) and wheel or tire height (h). Zero caster happens when your upper ball joint or strut mount is directly in line with the lower ball joint. From Hemantel: "In case you have just access to a simpler angle finder, you can also measure caster. 2. Caster = 1.5 x (Camber IN - Camber OUT)" Pull left - decrease caster split (move cam forward on left side or move cam backward on right side) Pull right - increase caster split . Using a 27" piece of angle iron across the center of the brake face (where the wheel bolts on) I measured from the string to the front and rear to set toe at 1/16" each side. Each time you make a change bounce on the front end to settle the suspension. (Fig. Its generally found out for commercial vehicles by the wheel alignment set up, by a programmed compute. Use the camber gauge as you normaly would at 90deg to level surface, adjust the gauge to read ZERO. But you will need to purchase a camber measurement unit to measure the angle of the camber. Camber is shown on the two outer vials. You should aim for 5* to 8* positive caster. Using the center caster. Smack right in the middle of positive and negative caster is the compromise zero caster. If measured as Jim posted you will not properly account for the "rake of the vehicle. To measure camber, Damien uses a small chain magnetically affixed to the fender. Now turn the steering wheel left till you reach 20deg in the opposite direction (total of 40deg) and lock turntable. This measurement of degrees includes the measurement from the lower ball . Once you've established the camber, caster is the next angle to check. Check Your Current Camber. woodhawg said: . Then, set the camber. Caster a little more complicated than camber and toe. Doing it backwards ( in to out) just gives the same figure but with a negative answer. A drop pitman arm (or high steer knuckles) will help the bump steer issue. Answer: Hey there.. Camber angle- It's the tilt of the vehicle wheels from the vertical axis. This will affect camber too so you have to adjust caster and camber together. Here's an illustration of what I mean, (not my car). Determining Caster Angle A real simple way of measuring the amount of caster is by measuring the difference of camber degrees from a right 20 degree turn to a left 20 degree turn then multiplying the difference by 1-1/2. Whether you use a digital gauge or a spirit level gauge, you're going to need something that sits flush with your rims and reads the angle of your wheels. Certain FWD vehicles do not offer caster adjustments, but correcting the camber may bring the caster within specs. Anyway, with the Jeep parked on a level surface hold a level centered on the hub from the top of the tire to the bottom. This is your caster angle. Set the jack aside and check if you could adjust the camber to the perfect angle. 2000 FSM specs 7 as optimal caster with + 5.25 to + 8.5 as acceptable. Most trailer axles are designed with a "bend" in the tube that will deflect when the load (weight of the trailer) is applied. Next, you'll want to measure the camber to ensure it is within the window of negative 1/2-degree to negative 1-degree. Using an angle gauge measure the angle. Caster is the measure of how far forward or behind the steering axis is to the vertical axis, viewed from the side. On these Houser Racing Slicast long-travel A-arms, it has a simple setup to change the camber and caster of the front end. Tractors will sometimes have a positive camber angle to make them easier to turn. Calculator Step 1) Measure the wheel diameter. If we want to measure caster angle '', then Most people say 4-7 degrees caster, but I have 9 degrees on my 27 and it goes right down the road. Then, using math you calculate caster. Let's start with the camber bubble gauge that costs less than $20 on Amazon. The stock caster angle on new cars is a positive caster angle. This type of angle usually delivers the best performance when it comes to getting the best fuel economy and performance. 2. With the bubble gauge installed on the hub, turn the tire inboard 20 degrees and level the gauge. Write down the measurement. This equation allows you to use any angle so if you can't turn 20 degrees each way because the bar hits something, you can use 15 degrees or other. A simplified way to think of it is the angle of the ball joints. Go Kart Racing Caster Angle. Excessive camber in one side can indicate a worse problem like a bent axle tube. I usually shoot for 7-9 myself. www.pathfinders4x4.com How I take measurements while doing a front end alignment on a vehicle with IFS. So if you measure your pinion angle at the u-joint, subtract that from 9.5 to get your castor. Rob Siegel. This will theoretically bring the trailer wheel camber toward a 0 value that is the best setting for most trailer applications. Check out the Longacre Caster/Camber gauge available at Jegs. Don. When adjusting, the FSM indicates that the front axle pinion angle has preference over caster. Measure the angle on both sides. assuming one can follow instructions and accurately read an angle finder, measuring your own caster can be done with decent accuracy quickly and easily with a $10 magnetic angle finder available at any home center. turn 20 deg to the left (out), camber measures +1.0 deg. To increase caster put more shims on the front UCA shaft bolt than the back UCA bolt (or remove shims from the back bolt). Camber Camber is measured from looking at the front of the vehicle and drawing a 90 degree to horizontal vertical line through the edge of the tire. Without altering the camber gauge setting, hold it at 90deg to level and the reading will be your caster angle It's the pivot angle of the front wheels measured from vertical, when viewed from the side. Usual procedure to calculate these angles is as mentioned below. For me, the 18" Forgestar wheels have a 19.5" diameter from top of lip to bottom of lip. ok 1/4"= .25 degrees so on most cars .5 degrees will cause a pull now caster will pull to the low side of the car so if the drivers side is 1.5 and the pass side is .5 it will pull to the right if you find the center line of your axle measure the lower ball joint to find how far one is over the other you will never get it exact oing it that way If you have aftermarket adjustable strut rods, you can add some positive caster by shortening the strut rod. If your Jeep has too little caster angle, it can be a candidate for developing death wobble. By using a piece of freely available software or a scientific calculator the acute angle is calculated at 5.2 degrees against a specification of 5.5 with taper plates on the axle (see Eric Worpe's Table 1). That will tell you quickly whether you have positive (top leaning out), negative (top leaning in), or zero camber. The factory castor is 5.5 (i think). 2) Most people measure caster by moving the wheels left 20 degrees and right 20 degrees, and measuring camber in both situations. Rotate the gauge so the bubble in the small vial closest to you is centered. Note: This method is unorthodox because we are only measuring caster when the front of the wheel, is turned inwards.Usual measurements are taken by turning wheel 20 degrees in one direction, measure as described in the video below, turn the wheel 20 degrees in the other direction, (40 degrees from first measurement) and add the two angles together. There's a small secondary bubble level in it to let you level the gauge on its rotational axis. This is measured by drawing a line between the top and bottom pivot points of the front upright. "Caster" is the difference in angle between the axes of the ball joint studs (also called the "steering axis,") and a theoretical vertical line, viewed from the side (along the axis of the axle shaft.) Take and measure from the spring perch to the center of the coupler and make sure the numbers match. Firmly grab the tie-rod's knurled adjuster and rotate it a little bit at a time taking measurements along the way. This is different than the wheel size that we typically refer to. I found it to be difficult and pointless to measure the caster. You can watch caster angle standing beside your car. After you install a lift, it's important to do an alignment on your vehicle. If the spring/pivot bushings are new, BJs new, and springs good, you can get the alignment back to spec. 7) Measure the front wheel on the opposite side in the same way. Use the threaded fulcrum pin to adjust to recommended caster. Dave. Measuring caster can be done in a similar way, except you measure the angle of the strut from the front to back. The illustration uses ball joints to represent the angle. DIY Wheel Alignment - Caster. of angle measuring gauge. (I hope). Measured in degrees, negative camber occurs when the top of the tire tilts inward toward the center of the vehicle and positive camber is when the top leans away from the center of the vehicle. Caster angle is the angle in which the kingpin bolt is leaned, forward or rearward. Use the above image to determine if you have positive or negative camber. I drive a fox body and I just set it all the way back. Hold the Dunlop adapter against the rim with the caster/camber gauge at the spindle centerline. Turn the wheel 20 degrees OUT (wheel on outside of the curve) Measure camber. on my 1st dana 44 front (Chevy) I left the stock caster where it was,(6 degrees) just narrowed the tubes,, but after installing the springs and front driveline,, I had to install some 4 degree shims to rotate the pinion up, which reduced my caster to only 2 degrees, the driveline worked good,, but driving it down the hiway was a little . first set the caster (if it applies). Caster (deg) = (180 / 3.1415) * [ (camber1 - camber2) / (turnangle1 - turnangle2)] turn angle 20 degrees each way = 1.43 x camber diff (commonly rounded up to 1.5) Offset ball joints can gain 1-2s of 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. Camber: Camber describes the inward or outward angle of the tires when viewed directly from the front or back of the vehicle. A simplified way to think of it is the angle of the ball joints. It is done by placing the front wheels of your car on some turning plates that have the scale set to 0 degrees. The clearest example of the caster angle is the angle of the vertical axis of the tire and the steering of a bicycle. Hopefully the measurement is small 1-1.5 degrees. Jack up one of the front tires, secure the vehicle on jack stands, then spray-paint a stripe on the tread while spinning the tire. Initially a gauge is attached to the wheel rim in its respec-tive position. Photo by SuperATV. Meaning, when pushed in a straight line, the wheel will automatically adjust itself and straighten out, in the direction you are steering the cart. If you have a camber guage and and a means of measuring 20 degrees then all you have to do is take the camber reading at 10 degrees out and then the camber reading at 10 degrees in and the difference betwen the two is the castor. Zero Caster Angle. It's really only for clearing components, which is what you need with your setup anyway. Camber Angle Measurement Do It Yourself Locate the uppermost point (D) on the rim and find the projection of that on the metal square (A). Loosen either nut and tighten the other nut, which will move the tire in or out. 3. NOTE: Adjusting the caster may have an effect on the camber and vice versa. This is typically measured in sixteenths or thirty-seconds of an inch. Read the Caster directly on the AccuLevel. The least amount of tire wear is caused by zero camber, which is a completely vertical wheel and tire. Hopefully the measurement is small 1-1.5 degrees. Static camber is the amount of camber angle the vehicle has at a rest, and is what gets measured when you get an alignment. Also, an offset draglink doesn't help with bump steer. If you've got big'n littles then your chassis has 2-4 degrees of rake which will effectively subtract from the measured caster. To check the toe, park the vehicle on level ground with the tires straight ahead and the steering wheel centered. CAMBER, CASTOR & TOE. Since you want to be sure that the camber on both sides is the same. Adjust accordingly. So a camber readings of 7 degrees on a left turn and 4 degrees on a right turn would equal 3 degrees of caster. 5) Adjust the caster and camber as needed. To see the surfaces on your front axle were to do this, see post 16 of the thread in this link: http://tinyurl.com/yl2luc7 If it's pulling still. Camber is the angle formed between the wheel's vertical axis and the plane perpendicular to it. The toe is changed when you change caster or camber, so it should always be set last . Re: ideal caster angle. There are two ways to measure the caster angle: Use turning plates and a digital or bubble camber/caster gauge If the bottom of the tire is farther away from the . My pinion is at 3, so 9.5 - 3 = 6.5 castor. Camber, Caster & Toe. The angle of this article is to try and help new racers be Better Karters. Now, if the camber angle is , then Read the caster angle on the center vial. Each mark represents 1/2. D dirtdonthurt Registered Joined Feb 23, 2010 On my Deuce I have a caster of 11 degrees (measured with the chassis level to the ground), however the actual caster winds up being only 8 degrees due to the rake of . To Measure Camber: Turn the wheels so they point straight ahead. Level the camber caster kingpin gauge so that the air bubbles in the level of the camber caster kingpin gauge body become "0". As far as squaring the springs to the coupler, simply measure back the same distance from the front edge of the trailer and clamp your spring perches in place. Camber, like caster, is measured in degrees of an angle, similar to caster. Actually, camber is the effect of the tire alignment on the pavement as illustrated above. As always, too much of a . Dynamic camber is the static camber plus or minus the "camber gain." With front-end alignments, correct caster and camber adjustments first. But too much and it will not turn well. The more caster the straighter it goes. Using a 15mm socket, loosen the nut securing the adjuster clamp on tie rod as shown in this pic. 8. Now using your gauge measure the difference in camber on a wheel with the wheel turned in, then out, 25 degrees. For a manual gauge, level . Measured on the bench the nearside represents a triangle whose sides are 218mm (fixed length), 219mm and 20mm (adjusting screw). Measure the angle of the u-joint (cap is a nice flat spot). The first technique is the quickest and fastest way to measure caster and can also be done trackside which is especially useful if you are tuning your caster on a track day or whilst racing. Look at dragster wheels when they turn. Using an angle gauge measure the angle. This angle is called positive caster. If the top of the tire is in further than the bottom this is negative camber. CASTER NOTE: This amount of sweep - 15 - is different from vial type gauges. It is gauged based on the vehicle's front turning wheels because they are the ones involved in steering. For 14.5 degrees, caster = 2.0 x (camber difference)." In other words measure the camber with the wheels turned 14.5 degrees left, then 14.5 degrees right, and multiply the difference in measurements by 2 and that's your caster. Attach the caster/camber gauge to the right-front wheel hub first. It refers to the angle of a tire in relationship to the vertical axis of the tire when viewed from the front or back of the vehicle. 3. 1] Positive camber angle:- As shown in the above figure, if the upper part of the wheel is tilted outward, then the angle made by the wheel axis (red dotted line) and road axis (green dotted line) is known as Positive camber angle. Caster is responsible for how self-centering a wheel becomes as it moves forward. I set the Camber to -1 degree (top angled in) both sides using my digital angle finder. The camber angle is positive if the tire seems to slant outward at the top of the tread. Camber angle is a measurement used in the wheel alignment of automobiles. This is time consuming if you use the 20 degree paper template provided with most camber gauges, which involves using a straight edge and making sure the template is paralle . Caster must be measured dynamically, meaning the wheels must be turned certain angles to find the camber change, which is then used to calculate caster. The camber angle is negative if the top of the tire is tilted inward at all. To measure your camber, you can either use a spirit level gauge for an analog read-out, a digital gauge for ease of use, or a tire temperature gauge if you're out on a track.

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