Can caster be adjusted.

[Animal]

Got tracking done at garage today,they say caster is out slightly.can this be adjusted ?
Thanks Adam.

[Animal]

Maybe everyones gone to sleep.

[resq302]

Should be able to be adjusted by a good shop.

[Plumcrazy]

The same eccentric bolts that change the camber also change the caster.

[Animal]

How does this work if the U.C.arm moves in & out,& not back & forth?
Thanks,Adam.

[RallyeMike]

Caster is set by adjusting the UCA offset bolts, essentially rotating the UCA in an arc forward or backward to tilt the spindle relative to the LCA which is a fixed point. You then have to fiddle with the bolt setting to get your camber zeroed out (or whatever you are seeking). For example, if you adjust the front LCA bolt to bring the UCA in, the spindle will also move slightly forward. This is why there is so little adjustment to caster available in stock form. The most caster I have been able to obtain at zero camber is just over 2 degrees.

The alignment shop should know this       The possibility could also exist that a previous wreck make it unable to hit the stock setting.

[limey]

Yup Caster correction should be limited to very small increments... If it needs more, the body and suspension neets to be tested for alignment on a jig. I haven't got the manual with me as I'm at work, but I seem to  remember that the settings are very small..something like +/- 1/2 degree.
Limey

[Mike DC]

 
The factory designed these cars with "native" settings to account for bias-ply tires and manual steering, which is not ideal for stability/handling at all.  Not to mention the fact that few people ever set the front & rear ride heights on these cars to retain the stock rake anymore either.


You'd probably be wise to set it with even more caster than the factory intended, if it's possible.

 

[Animal]

Thanks guys,BTW,I didn't think you guys followed the FSM,going by how long it took to get response in electrical section.  .

[Animal]

Caster is set by adjusting the UCA offset bolts, essentially rotating the UCA in an arc forward or backward to tilt the spindle relative to the LCA which is a fixed point. You then have to fiddle with the bolt setting to get your camber zeroed out (or whatever you are seeking). For example, if you adjust the front LCA bolt to bring the UCA in, the spindle will also move slightly forward. This is why there is so little adjustment to caster available in stock form. The most caster I have been able to obtain at zero camber is just over 2 degrees.

The alignment shop should know this       The possibility could also exist that a previous wreck make it unable to hit the stock setting.

you say adjustment can be made at LCA,would this adj be on the stut rod? Thanks Adam.

[RallyeMike]

you say adjustment can be made at LCA,would this adj be on the stut rod? Thanks Adam

Bad typer>  Sorry for the confusion. That should have been "UCA". However your idea is not off the mark:  Circle trackers used to effectively shorten the LCA strut rods, egg out holes, and other nasty non-street worthy things to pull the LCA forward. This was a cheap way to get more caster.