Caster question, I need help

[Heartworm]

I have a 1986 FJ60 with an OME lift set on it. My vehicle drifts to the right on the open highway (not bad but annoying) and I am trying to get that fixed or at least improved. I am suspecting the the caster was altered when I added the lift. I had a local tire shop check the alignment on a Hunter machine. They were pretty clueless on what they were doing and it was more weird because the Hunter computer set-up split the LandCruiser models by years into two categories (1982-86 and 1987-90)??? Regardless, here is what their machine came up with" Caster of right front = 0.2 degrees, Caster of left front = 0.7 degrees. So, what does this mean, assuming it is correct. My FSM does not give a caster setting for a FJ60 (page FA-3). It gives measurements for a lot of other Toyota models but not for a FJ60??? WTF???. So, what do I do? I am assuming that to correct the caster, I need to get shims under the axles but what degree.

Camber readings" Left 0.6 degrees. Right 0.8 degrees
Toe in readings Left 0.05 degrees, Right 0.03 degrees

Is all this info garbage? Where do I go from here?

 

[UpsideDown]

Caster should be about 1 degree from the factory. Your truck will drive a lot better if you have a few more degrees than that - and OME springs (and most others) will reduce your caster angle, especially if you use longer shackles.

The difference between the sides is not a problem, and is normal.

If you're getting pull to one side, check your tire pressures first - both front and rear. Check for a dragging brake caliper and also check for wheel bearings that are loose and may be causing caliper drag as a result. It would also be a good idea to check your rear brakes for adjustment.

Furthermore, check your king pin bearings (aka steering bearings or knuckle bearings).

To add caster, install some 2 or 3 degree shims. You want the pinion to point down when you add caster, and not up towards the transfer case. I have found that it's just good medicine to add some caster with a lift - your Cruiser will drive way better if you do.

hth,
John

 

[Tapage]

Those caster values are poor .. you want more than 1º of caster on each side ( as Upsidedown recomend ) but factory the 60 series come ( or must be ) with 2º aprox ..

The values for Toyota Land Cruisers normal are in between .84 and 2.34º positive always. If you have one side with much more caster than other it could be the reason for the drift ..

Are you Cruiser leveled .. ( drivers vs pass side ? )

 

[Heartworm]

Thanks for the advice. The cruiser sits level side to side now. I did have a really bad lean to the right side which was fixed by changing the A and B rear springs to the way that is opposite what ARB recommends. Go figure. I don't think that it is tire pressure or brake drag, but I will check it one more time. I re worked the knuckles and wheel bearings a while back and recently re-did the rear brake shoes. The drift to the right precedes this work and nothing changed. So, from what I understand, I should get a set of 2 degree shims and wedge them in between the spring and the axle with the point end inserted forward ,,,Right??

 

[Tapage]

MAF have caster shims that don't need to be welded ..

 

[NocalFJ60]

4Crawler Offroad Products - Custom Leaf Spring Shims

 

[2020 Rocks]

Remember when ordering shims that you will need a center pin w/ a head that is longer than the stock pin head, as the head of the center pin bolt needs to go through the shim and seat securely in the hole of the upper spring perch. I found out the hard way and just finished fixing this this past weekend.

 

[2020 Rocks]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/198745-shim-question-leaf-packs.html

 

[Dirty Toad]

Remember when ordering shims that you will need a center pin w/ a head that is longer than the stock pin head, as the head of the center pin bolt needs to go through the shim and seat securely in the hole of the upper spring perch. I found out the hard way and just finished fixing this this past weekend.

Ya know, I have had a bunch of noise from my front end since I added the 4 degree shims on the front end of my 60 (has ome lift and longer shackles). I wonder if it is the shims sliding around that is causing this noies? I will have to take a look at that.

back to the thread at hand.

 

[Heartworm]

Caster Correction

One purpose of this message is to CORRECT the statement in my previous message. After checking with the folks at ARB, it became evident that what I needed to do was to wedge the shim between the spring and the axle with the thin end pointed toward the REAR of the vehicle. I have just finished putting in the 2 degree MAF (aluminum) shims in place. No issues with the spring bolt..plenty of bolt head to go into the hole in the axle. However, the shims only helped my problem, did not cure it. More shim? Look elsewhere? Could the power steering box be pushing subtlely to the right? I can live with it as is but it pisses me off that I cannot figure it out.

 

[NocalFJ60]

By the measurements in the first post it seem you would have enough caster after installing 2* shims. I wonder if the .5* offset between the two side could make it drift to the right since the left is more? I will find my printout and see what the offset was on mine between the two sides. It is probably normal though. The spring height from side to side about the same for both front and rear?

 

[77cruiser]

Just resurrecting this one her for a minute. I do have some cruiser lean to the right. I have read a couple places of folks putting as much as 6 degree shims in there to help this wandering. I am sort of in the same boat. so both shims go in pointing to the rear correct?

 

[lehiguy]

If your tires are not directional, swap the front wheels and see what happens. I had the same situation once and it turned out that it was tires and nothing else.