CASTER & CAMBER

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Feb 7, 2011 | 03:58 PM

1977F1504X4AUBURN

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CASTER & CAMBER

I have 77 F150 4x4 with a 4" lift. The alignment shop I sent it to says they can't correct my caster and camber because of my lift. He said it's 4 degrees off and they don't makes cams big enough to correct it. Is this a common issue? They could only do the toe-in and toe-out.

Feb 7, 2011 | 04:23 PM

Blown 331

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From: Waterloo IL

I have around 4" lift on my 1977 F-150 4x4. I had a ton of positive camber on the RF wheel. I actually measured it myself and I think it was around 1.8*.
I corrected it with a shim from Napa. Worked great and even made by Dana.
You have to measure how far the camber is out then select the shim that will get you back in spec. That's what I did and it worked perfect.
NAPA Online
For the caster you might looking into C-bushings. I did those as well. I went with 7* on a 1977 since the rear of the radius arms don't hang as low as a 78/79.

I'm guessing when the alignment shop says you're out 4* they are talking caster. 4* on the camber would be HUGE.

Feb 7, 2011 | 04:57 PM

1977F1504X4AUBURN

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I put 4 deg C-bushings on it. I think you're right about it being the caster. What do you do to correct that?

Feb 7, 2011 | 08:54 PM

Blown 331

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From: Waterloo IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1977F1504X4AUBURN

I put 4 deg C-bushings on it. I think you're right about it being the caster. What do you do to correct that?

Caster is corrected with the c-bushings. Caster isn't really a tire wear angle. I would have probably went with the 7* (well I did actually) but I'd say your 4*s will be ok. I drove my truck for years with stock c-bushings with the lift. Caster is responsible for steering stability and helps the steering wheel return to center. As long as the truck handles ok and you aren't getting a bunch of bump steer than I would not worry about the caster.
Camber is a wear angle. My truck was around 1.8* positive. With that much you could easily see the top of the tire leaning out at the top and it did wear the edge of the tire. If you can't see the tires leaning in or out at the top and aren't getting edge wear I probalby wouldn't worry about that either.
Now if you are getting a bunch of bump steer and wear the edges of the tires then I'd change both. My truck actually had both problems and I fixed them both myself without an alignment rack. And now I'm running brand new Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs with no wear issues.