I just realized my understanding of camber and caster was about half incorrect. It would be really nice if the guru's here could enlighten me on the whole complicated explanation of it all.
I have found a few articles on the specifics, but they all seem to dumb it down a little making me ask alot of questions. Go ahead, shoot. Be merciless with the technical jargon and equations.
A hole in my understanding... camber and caster
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Nismo_Freak
- Posts: 10314
- Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2002 10:42 pm
- Car: 89 Nissan 240SX
You setup camber by taking tire temp readings over the face of the tire. You dial in additional camber, or remove camber (total camber is always negative) to even the heat load over the face of the tire. This means the tire is being used to it's maximum potential.
Caster you typically want as much positive caster as possible before you have clearance issues, or you have poor steering feel (caster affects align torque).
The front of our cars will need a good amount of camber, the rear not so much, as it's a compromise point, and has a different dynamic geometry.
Caster you typically want as much positive caster as possible before you have clearance issues, or you have poor steering feel (caster affects align torque).
The front of our cars will need a good amount of camber, the rear not so much, as it's a compromise point, and has a different dynamic geometry.
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Dattebayo
- Posts: 33288
- Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2002 10:04 am
- Car: 2004 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner
- Location: NE DC
Re: (Nismo_Freak)
I assume you mean 240sx's by "our cars". I don't drive one anymore...Nismo_Freak wrote:The front of our cars will need a good amount of camber, the rear not so much, as it's a compromise point, and has a different dynamic geometry.
My S12's rear has plenty of negative camber for some reason tho, I imagine it has something to do with the semi-trailing arm suspension I have back there. Too bad I cannot change it at all.
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Nismo_Freak
- Posts: 10314
- Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2002 10:42 pm
- Car: 89 Nissan 240SX
Re: (Dattebayo)
Most Nissans have the same strut suspension in the front, and that's why it needs more front camber.Dattebayo wrote:
I assume you mean 240sx's by "our cars". I don't drive one anymore...
My S12's rear has plenty of negative camber for some reason tho, I imagine it has something to do with the semi-trailing arm suspension I have back there. Too bad I cannot change it at all.