Caster Adjustment?

[CrazySnake]

My 94 pulls to the right. I had the alignment checked a while ago and it came out 2/0 degrees (I can't remember which side was which). The guys at the shop told me there is no way to adjust caster on the vehicle and this was the reason it was pulling to the right. The outside 1-2 inches of the right front tire is wearing faster than the rest of the tire.

What I'm wondering is what options there are for adjusting caster, including creative lift/bushing options since I might finally get around to doing a med. OME lift.

I seem to remember lurking on a thread one time where someone suggested there was a way to adjust caster -- but I can't find that info anywhere.

Steve

 

[concretejungle]

If you are creative and have some fab skills you can try to do an adjustable caster setup that BJowett and photoman have. Otherwise it's either the ome cc bushings or plates from slee. I just installed the plates and the truck drives much, much better as far as tracking goes. I also had a pull and it is almost gone. Might as well go ahead and get the 6 inch lift and run slee's front control arms which have been made to include the correct caster when installed.

 

[Bryan E.]

Search button yeilded 103 hits on Castor in .33 seconds, 209 in .41 seconds for Caster. Amazing that more people can't figure that out. Great tool for this forum. Anyway... I found Cruiser Dan stating the factory caster is................. +3 degree's ...+/- 1 degree. So +2 min. to +4 max. I would need more info to give advice on how to fix it, but I'm sure it's been covered many times if you'll search.

 

[alia176]

Are there other reasons as to why your caster is off that much? Especially on an stock rig with no lift, your caster should be much better than this. You can correct it using various methods but that's only a band aid IMHO. I'd try to see what's causing this. Good luck.

 

[CrazySnake]

Search button yeilded 103 hits on Castor in .33 seconds, 209 in .41 seconds for Caster. Amazing that more people can't figure that out. Great tool for this forum. Anyway... I found Cruiser Dan stating the factory caster is................. +3 degree's ...+/- 1 degree. So +2 min. to +4 max. I would need more info to give advice on how to fix it, but I'm sure it's been covered many times if you'll search.

Actually I do a lot of searching on this forum and usually find what I am looking for. I tried that a few times and couldn't find any details.

Thanks for the statistics, that was very interesting but not very useful.

 

[MTNRAT]

Crazy, It seems as if each 80 is a different beast when it comes to caster. Totally stock trucks can come from the factory with a wide range of caster numbers, hence why the same solution does not work for all 80s. Get a printout from the alignment shop and post the exact numbers. Has the vehicle ever been in an accident?
Cheers,
Sean

 

[CruisinGA]

Many people have found when "cut n turning" 40/60 series axles for desirable caster with a springover, that the caster from the factory could have as much as several degrees of difference side to side. It does not suprise me that an 80 would be the same.

The only way to correct difference in caster side to side is to cut and turn at least one knuckle. Very involved procedure.

I would perform a full axle service on your truck before decided that caster is the culprit for pulling or uneven tire wear. There are a billion things that can contribute to both of those.

 

[concretejungle]

Baily, what part of the axle is cut and turned?

 

[CruisinGA]

Baily, what part of the axle is cut and turned?

The weld around the axle where the tube meets the knuckle. Take a look at the SOA writeups, they show it more in detail.

The knuckle is actually sleeved into the housing, you cut the weld and then turn the knuckle, and then re-weld. The weld itself just holds the sleeve in place.

^ The above applies to all pre-80 series axles, it may also apply to 80 series axles, but I do not know for sure. They have a square tube so it may be different.

 

[clownmidget]

Is this the thread you were looking for?
(https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=14506)

You can throw the bushings in the back too.

 

[concretejungle]

Nice clown, that's what i was talkin' bout.

 

[Heffenoche]

Is it possible the the bushings on one side has deteriorated causing the castor on one side to go out of wack?

 

[PHAEDRUS]

anything is possible but I doubt the caster bewign off by that little isde to side is causing the issue with your tires, I would suspect another culprit, likely TRE loose or worn, the caster is critical for sure but not that critical as far as tire wear.
Dave