caster (1 Viewer)

[tony58]

I have been working on my 1977 fj40 with a caster issue It has a 2.5 spring lift, and a 5 inch [center to center bolt] shackle lift running bf Goodrich mud terrain km2 33/10.5xr15 tires The font end is tight center arm is good I have tried 2.5- and 4-degree shims I still can't get the steering wheel to center after a turn, any help would be appreciated, it is a handful to drive I just put in the 2.5 and the 4 degree shim together and it is about the same, what am I missing?​

 

[pb4ugo]

You might include soa with cut and turn. And you might search in the hardcore section too.

 

[pb4ugo]

Look in faq's at the top of the section. Scroll down to frt ends, also look in technical links on the top of faq's too.

 

[AirFuelRatioMan]

Look in faq's at the top of the section. Scroll down to frt ends, also look in technical links on the top of faq's too.

Many thanks man, ended up finding several write ups after searching for SOA and Cut and Turn. The ball / knuckle indeed has a sleeve that goes pretty deep into the axle tube. Most advise cutting the stock weld without cutting the sleeve, turning, and welding her up. Some manage to do so while still on the truck

 

[pb4ugo]

I'd might consider doing both sides and set caster somewhere around 3 to 5 degrees. I'm only familiar with 40's, fyi.

 

[SNLC]

Many thanks man, ended up finding several write ups after searching for SOA and Cut and Turn. The ball / knuckle indeed has a sleeve that goes pretty deep into the axle tube. Most advise cutting the stock weld without cutting the sleeve, turning, and welding her up. Some manage to do so while still on the truck

No don’t cut the weld, cut just inside the weld.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Are you sure? Are we confusing caster with camber? If you do a search for "cut and turn", which is sometimes done to the frt axle when folks do a "spring over axle"(soa) lift. They have to align the driveshaft/pinion angle 1st, then cut the weld at the ball and rotate it to get the proper caster The ball has a collar on it which slides into the axle tube and then its welded. To get a proper caster measurement the weight of the vehicle needs to be on the suspension and the vehicle needs to be level.

I agree with Mark, there's something going on with that housing. The caster angles from side to side should be the same from the factory. Ive never heard of off set bearings.

I think it is a misconception that it is “only for SoA”. I have c&t several SuA Cruisers. You get perfect caster without bolt in shims. In fact best driving leaf spring truck I have ever driven I did this way.

Cheers

 

[pb4ugo]

Good to know. Ive never had to-do a c&t, but I've done several danas though. I figured soa would help in searching. I weld my shims to the bottom of the spring perch.

 

[AirFuelRatioMan]

No don’t cut the weld, cut just inside the weld.

Cheers

Ok, will do. I have read a couple threads, and also viewed a Powernation video of a Cut and Turn on a FJ60. In the video, they did not bother to bevel the axle tube before welding?!?! Maybe because there's a sleeve inside and it's less critical? The thread I read did bevel the tube. I would like to refrain from welding the sleeve in the process, so if at any time in the future I do a SOA, I can still cut and rotate the knuckle without issues. That being said, I don't feel comfortable NOT putting a bevel on both sides of the tube before welding.... You've done this several times, please advise me here.

 

[SNLC]

Ok, will do. I have read a couple threads, and also viewed a Powernation video of a Cut and Turn on a FJ60. In the video, they did not bother to bevel the axle tube before welding?!?! Maybe because there's a sleeve inside and it's less critical? The thread I read did bevel the tube. I would like to refrain from welding the sleeve in the process, so if at any time in the future I do a SOA, I can still cut and rotate the knuckle without issues. That being said, I don't feel comfortable NOT putting a bevel on both sides of the tube before welding.... You've done this several times, please advise me here.

Bevel.

For me, it’s a one time and done per axle. So if things changed and it needed more, I would replace the housing and do it again to suit the desired lift/caster.

Cheers