Caster all off after tension rod and tie rod install.. help - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

rightcoastimports · 10-08-2010, 11:46 AM

I installed adjustable tension rods, and new stock inner and outer tie rods. Went to my friends alignment rack. He sets my caster around 6.5-7 degrees which is where its supposed to be. Then as im driving home i realize my tires are hitting my front bumper when i turn. The tires were were almost touching the bumper all the time sitting too far forward..

So i backed them off using the tension rods so they wouldnt hit the bumper.. but one side i had to adjust a lot more than the other. Im even on both sides, go back to the rack and my caster reads 8 degrees on one side, 9.5 on the other.... now if i move it back down the tires will be close to the bumper again.. just trying to figure out why this is happening? I cant imagine high caster can be good for drifting and i got an event next week.

Datenshi · 10-11-2010, 09:28 AM

Bent frame?

Triperformance · 10-11-2010, 10:13 AM

Agreed with bent frame but you do want a good bit of caster, allows the wheel snap back for you which makes the wheels track forward. You want less caster for road racing though.

codyace · 10-11-2010, 12:06 PM

The longer the arms the less caster you will have...the shorter the more

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triperformance

Agreed with bent frame but you do want a good bit of caster, allows the wheel snap back for you which makes the wheels track forward. You want less caster for road racing though.

Totally, wrong, more caster is also desirable for track cars as well! The only time I can see you not wanting a ton of caster is in super heavy duty/weight setups, like trucks and that sort.

rightcoastimports · 10-13-2010, 01:06 AM

im going back to the rack tomorrow to try and figure it out.. before i installed new tension rods, the caster was fine.

PoorMans180SX · 10-13-2010, 06:03 AM

Yeah, lengthening the tension rods should make you have LESS caster.

Make sure the alignment machine is calibrated and make sure you compensate the wheels right.

Make your adjustable tension rod the same length as your stock rods, then go from there.

BTW, you want less caster for drifting, like 6*. Why? It keeps your wheel flatter at high steering angles, giving you more front grip in drift.

codyace · 10-13-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorMans180SX

Yeah, lengthening the tension rods should make you have LESS caster.

Make sure the alignment machine is calibrated and make sure you compensate the wheels right.

Make your adjustable tension rod the same length as your stock rods, then go from there.

BTW, you want less caster for drifting, like 6*. Why? It keeps your wheel flatter at high steering angles, giving you more front grip in drift.

You should see me when I play with Mustangs, it's all backwards to me then

hahaha

***FaLKoN240*** · 10-13-2010, 12:55 PM

Make sure you got tension control rods for the right chassis...

10-08-2010, 11:46 AM	#1
rightcoastimports Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boston Area Age: 36 Posts: 663 Trader Rating: (15) Feedback Score: 15 reviews	Caster all off after tension rod and tie rod install.. help I installed adjustable tension rods, and new stock inner and outer tie rods. Went to my friends alignment rack. He sets my caster around 6.5-7 degrees which is where its supposed to be. Then as im driving home i realize my tires are hitting my front bumper when i turn. The tires were were almost touching the bumper all the time sitting too far forward.. So i backed them off using the tension rods so they wouldnt hit the bumper.. but one side i had to adjust a lot more than the other. Im even on both sides, go back to the rack and my caster reads 8 degrees on one side, 9.5 on the other.... now if i move it back down the tires will be close to the bumper again.. just trying to figure out why this is happening? I cant imagine high caster can be good for drifting and i got an event next week. __________________ 95 SR Zenki \| @ e_form daily - A34 Maxima \| A36 Maxima

10-13-2010, 01:06 AM	#5
rightcoastimports Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boston Area Age: 36 Posts: 663 Trader Rating: (15) Feedback Score: 15 reviews	im going back to the rack tomorrow to try and figure it out.. before i installed new tension rods, the caster was fine. __________________ 95 SR Zenki \| @ e_form daily - A34 Maxima \| A36 Maxima

10-13-2010, 06:03 AM	#6
PoorMans180SX Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan Age: 33 Posts: 5,431 Trader Rating: (16) Rides Gallery: PoorMans180SX Feedback Score: 16 reviews	Yeah, lengthening the tension rods should make you have LESS caster. Make sure the alignment machine is calibrated and make sure you compensate the wheels right. Make your adjustable tension rod the same length as your stock rods, then go from there. BTW, you want less caster for drifting, like 6*. Why? It keeps your wheel flatter at high steering angles, giving you more front grip in drift. __________________ Build: http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=643065 Friends don't let friends buy knock-offs.

10-13-2010, 12:55 PM	#8
*FaLKoN240* Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 16,761 Trader Rating: (73) Feedback Score: 73 reviews	Make sure you got tension control rods for the right chassis... __________________ Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.

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10-11-2010, 09:28 AM	#2
Datenshi Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 91 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Bent frame?

10-11-2010, 10:13 AM	#3
Triperformance Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 62 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Agreed with bent frame but you do want a good bit of caster, allows the wheel snap back for you which makes the wheels track forward. You want less caster for road racing though.