Pinion and Caster help

[gonzoflick]

Putting control arms back on and I'm confused. Metalcloak said get 6 degree castor. The first image is with 2 degrees and 20in upper arms 24in lower and you see how my bump stops are aligned properly.

The 2nd images are with aparent 6 degrees caster and 21 in uppers but the bump stops are way out of whack. Suggestions?

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[jadmt]

I never had much luck checking caster that way...best way is take it an alignment shop have them get an accurate caster reading then while still on the rack stick your angle finder on and see what the difference is then you can use that difference in the future...most garage floors have some slope to them..putting in slightly different on the pinion changes too...lots of variables without having a true reading to start with.

 

[scootertoo]

I've never attempted this kind of repair, but have noted in other related posts on other forums, that such front end work needs to be done at (ride height)..............in other words, it looks as though you have the front end held up via a jack stand under the A arm.
You might get better and more accurate results if the full weight of the vehicle was there. You could jack the front end up and put blocks under the tires and then lower the jack and check your results.

 

[gonzoflick]

It's a ride height on tires

 

[gonzoflick]

I think I resolved this

 

[Aonarch]

I'd try checking on the knuckles and the flat spots by the diff cover.

 

[GaryToo]

Where you are taking measurements should read "0" at that point not 6 . When the pinion is 0 or 90 degrees depending how your gauge is set up you have 6 degrees positive caster .. I usually take measurements vertical where the ds bolts to the flange . I find it ls a larger area to place your gauge on to get a more consistant reading

 

[gonzoflick]

Yes thank you. I finally saw a video where the guy showed 0 and 90 and that's what I'm at now. Also found out most alignment shops won't touch adjustable control arms and only do the tie rod and drag link.

 

[GaryToo]

set your lowers at 24-24 1/4" and fine tune to get your pinion measurement to get your 6 degrees of caster with the uppers and you should be fine

 

[rickinAZ]

As suggested, measure at the flattest/vertical side of the pumpkin - 0° as measured there equals the 6° you are looking for. The other easy spot is the underside/horizontal side of the steering knuckles. There 6° actually does equal 6°. I have two inexpensive measuring tools: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T807?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_10&th=1 and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6ND2ZJG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

I like the 2nd one better for two reasons: 1) you can calibrate it to zero out any slight pitch to your garage floor. 2) you can use the magnet to position it on the measuring points and then pull it off to view the reading. The analog one makes you contort in the measuring spot to see the reading.

With regard to the alignment shops not adjusting the caster via the LCAs, that's because you basically have to uninstall the LCAs, make the adjustment , and then reinstall. Probably about $200 of work at shop rates. It's not a simple process, and you are dealing with 200lbft bolts.

 

[Nokones]

The pinion and the driveshaft angles should not exceed more than 2 degrees between the two.

 

[GaryToo]

I find it easiest to set your lowers to the measurement you want and tighten them up . Put a bottle jack under the pinion side of the diff where their is a flat spot under the pinion. Put a little tension so you can unbolt one end of the upper control arms. The position of the springs will make the diff want to rotate the pinion side down. Use the bottle jack to rotate the diff till you have the caster set to what you want. Adjust the uppers to match the control arm bolt holes to the mounting holes. Very simple

 

[gonzoflick]

I find it easiest to set your lowers to the measurement you want and tighten them up . Put a bottle jack under the pinion side of the diff where their is a flat spot under the pinion. Put a little tension so you can unbolt one end of the upper control arms. The position of the springs will make the diff want to rotate the pinion side down. Use the bottle jack to rotate the diff till you have the caster set to what you want. Adjust the uppers to match the control arm bolt holes to the mounting holes. Very simple

Exactly what I did. However I just realized I was on my slightly slanted driveway so my digital angle finder might have been off. I just bought the one from the poster above which will account for driveways I hope. We shall see on Monday.

 

[GaryToo]

Thats what i use. Before i had that type i just put my angle finder on a 4’ level on the garage floor to see what it was roughly and in reality is usually good enough anyway. I knew my floor was flat for a garage floor being i built the house and new what i would be doing in the garage

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