what is the easiest and safest way to install caster shims on a beam front end with the ball joint suspension. thanks bill
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what is the easiest and safest way to install caster shims on a beam front end with the ball joint suspension. thanks bill
Probably take the wheels off to make things lighter.
Loosen the top bolts a little bit. Loosen the bottom bolts more.
Slip the shims in and tighten everything up.
It actually is quite easy.
Loosen the top bolts a little bit. Loosen the bottom bolts more.
Slip the shims in and tighten everything up.
It actually is quite easy.
If you're working on the ground (No lift)
Raise the car and place it on jack stands. You can either raise the whole car or just the front. Place a floor jack under the front suspension beam. Loosen the 2 top bolts (leave at least 4 to 5 threads in the pan (this will easily hold the beam and keep it from falling) then loosen and remove the 2 bottom bolts. If you're shooting for more caster then place the shims behind the beam where it attaches to the pan, use the new longer bolts and tighten all 4 bolts.
If you have a lift, same except use a prop of some kind to make sure the beam doesn't drop to the ground
Raise the car and place it on jack stands. You can either raise the whole car or just the front. Place a floor jack under the front suspension beam. Loosen the 2 top bolts (leave at least 4 to 5 threads in the pan (this will easily hold the beam and keep it from falling) then loosen and remove the 2 bottom bolts. If you're shooting for more caster then place the shims behind the beam where it attaches to the pan, use the new longer bolts and tighten all 4 bolts.
If you have a lift, same except use a prop of some kind to make sure the beam doesn't drop to the ground
Whats the rule to follow re whether to install 1 or 2 shims?
Do dropped spindles affect caster?
Do dropped spindles affect caster?
Actually, they are "raised spindes" If you lower the spindle then that will raise the car.. Raise the spindles and the car lowers.
Typically, if you lower the car by 2 inches, you'll need at least 1 shim (Which is actually 2 shims, one behind each lower bolt)
Typically, if you lower the car by 2 inches, you'll need at least 1 shim (Which is actually 2 shims, one behind each lower bolt)
Hi, Do you then need to have front end realigned or will adding the shims not affect the settings?
Drop spindles might be more accurate than dropped spindles.
Some people think if you lower the rear by the same amount as the front there isn't a significant affect to the caster.
You may still want the shims for increased caster.
Some people think if you lower the rear by the same amount as the front there isn't a significant affect to the caster.
You may still want the shims for increased caster.
Any time you mess with the front suspension geometry you'll need to get the front end aligned.
1/8th of an inch toe-in (1/16th per tire for a total of 1/8th )
If you're a spirited driver and don't mind a little tire wear on the inside of the tread, shoot for 1/2 to 1 degree negative camber.
If you can get 4 or 5 degree's of caster, that will make the car track straight when driving but, it will make it bit tougher to turn the wheel when parking or at very low speeds.
1/8th of an inch toe-in (1/16th per tire for a total of 1/8th )
If you're a spirited driver and don't mind a little tire wear on the inside of the tread, shoot for 1/2 to 1 degree negative camber.
If you can get 4 or 5 degree's of caster, that will make the car track straight when driving but, it will make it bit tougher to turn the wheel when parking or at very low speeds.