Caster
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca.
Caster
Ok, how much is too much........I have the 4 deg shims in there and want to add the 2 deg for a total of 6 deg. I put them in this morning and it's MUCH better, but still has a little bit of wondering. Toe is at a 1/16th.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I'd think 6 degrees would be plenty of caster. That said, I once drove a 32 Ford with 12 degrees. It practically drove itself down the highway. Having a lot of caster may make parallel parking a bear but it won't hurt anything else. If another couple of degrees will stop the wandering go for it. Does the truck have a lot of rake? Make sure the wondering isn't coming from other worn out steering components...
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale USA
After adding the Possies dual flex springs that lowered my front end about 3 inches, my truck started to wander after bumps. I then put 4 degree shims in mine and it tracks perfect, of course i rebuilt my entire front end and I have no play in my steering and it worked perfect before lowering the front end with no caster shims at all.
I drove my truck from Ft Lauderdale to Key West this weekend and run 70 mph on the turnpike with just a finger on the wheel and at times would catch myself doing 80 mph when the pavement was extra smooth. I have stock steering and new Possies leaf springs all around with a AOD and my original 3.92 gear set.
Net of it is there are many things that can cause wandering, not just the Caster.
I drove my truck from Ft Lauderdale to Key West this weekend and run 70 mph on the turnpike with just a finger on the wheel and at times would catch myself doing 80 mph when the pavement was extra smooth. I have stock steering and new Possies leaf springs all around with a AOD and my original 3.92 gear set.
Net of it is there are many things that can cause wandering, not just the Caster.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca.
It has a rebuilt Toyota box, rebuilt drag link, new tie rod ends, stock springs and slightly worn spring bushings. The king pins are a little bit loose (that's next), I was just wondering if 4 deg was the normal limit. I checked before I added the 4 deg shims and I was at 0 deg.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 7
From: Sweden (Fagersta)
After adding the Possies dual flex springs that lowered my front end about 3 inches, my truck started to wander after bumps. I then put 4 degree shims in mine and it tracks perfect, of course i rebuilt my entire front end and I have no play in my steering and it worked perfect before lowering the front end with no caster shims at all.
I drove my truck from Ft Lauderdale to Key West this weekend and run 70 mph on the turnpike with just a finger on the wheel and at times would catch myself doing 80 mph when the pavement was extra smooth. I have stock steering and new Possies leaf springs all around with a AOD and my original 3.92 gear set.
Net of it is there are many things that can cause wandering, not just the Caster.
I drove my truck from Ft Lauderdale to Key West this weekend and run 70 mph on the turnpike with just a finger on the wheel and at times would catch myself doing 80 mph when the pavement was extra smooth. I have stock steering and new Possies leaf springs all around with a AOD and my original 3.92 gear set.
Net of it is there are many things that can cause wandering, not just the Caster.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale USA
I did the same, put all new springs in all 4 corners, I ended up with dual flex for the front and basic replacements for the rear. Ride got better and softened it up some, as the new rear ones did not have as many leafs. I dont get axle hop when I stomp on it now either.
I did the dual fles just for the new stance and also the 302 with AOD weighs less than the stock V8 and Trans. Originally I had all 4 springs replaced stock and then went to Possies as it seemed to bouncy with the lighter weight drive train.
I did the dual fles just for the new stance and also the 302 with AOD weighs less than the stock V8 and Trans. Originally I had all 4 springs replaced stock and then went to Possies as it seemed to bouncy with the lighter weight drive train.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Go ahead and take it to 6* and see if it makes it any better, you can always take them back out. Just be sure the spring centerbolts have a long enough head to still seat firmly into the axle seat. Mid Fifty sells longer ones. You could also increase the toe in to 1/8" total. Bias ply tires tram (follow cracks, seams and crown in the road) a lot more than radials. With radials try 30- 35# cold pressure.
Worn kingpins or spring eye bushings and pins will aggravate any wandering tendencies. A good set of shocks (NOT those heavily advertised junk the big box stores sell) will also make a significant difference.
Worn kingpins or spring eye bushings and pins will aggravate any wandering tendencies. A good set of shocks (NOT those heavily advertised junk the big box stores sell) will also make a significant difference.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca.
I'm running LT215/80r16's with about 55 psi, I put in the longer headed center bolts with the 4 deg shims. I have an NOS kingpin set to do later, but new KYB gas adjust shocks are on the way for the front.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca.
I bought steel 6 deg shims and put them in. It took out almost all of the wondering, still have to put the new shocks in, rebuild the kingpins and check the spring bushings.
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