Go back to home

Caster issue

Author
Mickos
Enthusiast
  • Total Posts : 29
  • Scores: 0
  • Reward points: 246
  • Joined: 2011/08/26 12:40:52
  • Status: offline
2011/10/10 15:54:00 (permalink)
0

Caster issue

Hi all, my 79 mk2 Escort is nearly on the road but i have a large caster issue ( splayed bad ).
As you most of you know there is no adjustment for this on a lot of eskies but do any of you have a line on a caster kit or know of a company that makes them?
I have been looking at adjustable control arms but for the sake of what a caster kit is i would prefer the kit for my daily driver.
 
Thankyou
#1


10 Replies Related Threads

    danny m
    Enthusiast
    • Total Posts : 127
    • Scores: 0
    • Reward points: 4400
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: Brisbane Qld Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/10 17:30:20 (permalink)
    0
    Adjustable arms will onlu really tweak camber and not caster
    How much caster have you got and is it equal left to right as you really need to be looking at and adjustable length sway bar or strut tops which you can adjust
    #2
    razzle308
    Aficionado
    • Total Posts : 394
    • Scores: 1
    • Reward points: 1929
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: W.A.
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/10 18:17:16 (permalink)
    0
    Hi mickos.
    As danny said ther are caster kits at the top of strut.
    For a sizeable shift SMCKA sell a sway bar that has been machined and it comes with washers to space out the caster you want.
    Darren.
    #3

    Mickos
    Enthusiast
    • Total Posts : 29
    • Scores: 0
    • Reward points: 246
    • Joined: 2011/08/26 12:40:52
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/10 18:20:54 (permalink)
    0
    I am pretty sure its caster? looking from the front of the car the bottom of the wheels are wider than the top, the angle is a little more on the drivers side. I believe it will flog out the inside of the tyres very quickly hence my need to rectify.
    Thanks for the responses
    #4
    blackmk1cossie
    Enthusiast
    • Total Posts : 133
    • Scores: 1
    • Reward points: 1894
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: melbourne vic Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/10 18:55:43 (permalink)
    0
    you are talking about camber not caster.how low is car and then use adjustable top platforms to fix camber issues
    #5
    Mickos
    Enthusiast
    • Total Posts : 29
    • Scores: 0
    • Reward points: 246
    • Joined: 2011/08/26 12:40:52
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/10 19:17:33 (permalink)
    0
    The car is only lowered 1" , the issue was there still bad before the new springs.
    #6

    shaunb
    Enthusiast
    • Total Posts : 106
    • Scores: 2
    • Reward points: 1210
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: Gold Coast QLD Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/11 08:01:04 (permalink)
    0
    Dude
     
    If the car has what appears to be standard bits on it at present (ie control arms and strut tops, AND the car has noticeable negative camber, I would be looking to see if the cross member has been redrilled.
     
    Getting a decent amount of camber is something most Escort guys chase, anywhere from 2 to 3 degrees or more negative camber.
     
    Neg camber gives far better corner turn in and reduces understeer.
     
    Good adjustable struts tops will let you adjust this (as will adjustable lower control arms - but these are illegal in every state) but the amount of adjustment available is usually limited by the size of the springs (ie you really need small dia Kings on coilovers to get the most adjustment).
     
    As long as (a) it hasnt got a stupid amount of camber on it (say around 3 deg or less), (b) you keep your tyre pressures to 30 psi or under and (c) you get a decent wheel alignment, you wont actually chop out tyres. I have attached a pic of my MK1 that you can see has heaps of neg camber and it does not hurt the tyres like this on the road.
     
    If you want to modify things to reduce what you have now, I would very strongly suggest you get someone who knows Escorts (ie someone who races, not your local tyre guy) to have a look at your car as something must have been modified to get the sort of camber you are talking about.
     
    Cheers
     
    Shaun B
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Attached Image(s)

    #7
    Matt75
    Deity
    • Total Posts : 2184
    • Scores: 67
    • Reward points: 5609
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: Doncaster Vic Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/12 12:05:09 (permalink)
    0
    Get some pics up as this give us more ideas on what's going on.
     
    If there is difference from side to side then you may have a bent strut.
     
    If they are modified and you don't like them you can always sell them and get some stock ones.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Matt

     
    My 4 door MK II Resto
    http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=37623

    RS Owners Club Victoria Committee Member - http://rsocvic.com/
     
     
    #8
    Gdub
    Master
    • Total Posts : 927
    • Scores: 32
    • Reward points: 2475
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: Melbourne Vic
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/12 21:25:12 (permalink)
    0
     
    What looiks like camber isnt always camber!  If it is badly toeing out it will look like negative camber.
     
    Have you replaced the rack or tie rod ends and not had a wheel alignement since?  Also lowering the front will almost always affect the toe settings due to the tie rods sitting on a different angle due to the lower ride height.
     
    Get it on a wheel aligner and find out what the real problem is before you start spending money

    Make it go FASTER!
     
    #9
    Mickos
    Enthusiast
    • Total Posts : 29
    • Scores: 0
    • Reward points: 246
    • Joined: 2011/08/26 12:40:52
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/12 22:03:07 (permalink)
    0
    Will get a pic up very soon guys, thanks for the informative responses, My wife is booked for a ceasar tomorrow so work on the esky will be on hold for a couple of weeks.
    I have ordered a full bush kit for the front and rear, The crossmember hasn't been redrilled and all looks standard ( apart from -1" springs )as far as parts go and after i replace the bushes it will get a wheel alignment.
    I haven't pulled them out yet but there is substantial movement in the inner control arm bushes, if these are flogged out worse than i thought then it may explain the extra camber.
     
    Thanks again guys n gals and will let you know how it goes.
    #10
    Mickas
    Aficionado
    • Total Posts : 624
    • Scores: -38
    • Reward points: 757
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: Gold Coast Queensland Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re:Caster issue 2011/10/13 09:03:24 (permalink)
    0
    Make sure your ball joints are spot on too
    #11
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Trial Version 5.1