Out of spec caster

[bcar240]

So my car has out of spec caster on the passenger-side front wheel that doesn't have enough adjustment to put back in spec. I'm going to have the car realigned soon and was wondering if I should leave it as it is now with one wheel in spec or have them set both wheels to the same caster. The reason I am curious is that I've been told if the front wheels have different amounts of caster, you get unsymmetric jacking forces between the front wheels and it causes the car to have a wandering pull depending on the side to side grading of the road surface, which is exactly what my car is doing. Any thoughts?

[bcar240]

shameless bump for expoure

any thoughts on this one? I have no idea myself.

[IanS]

Yes a difference in caster will cause a drift/pull.

The real question is, why is the caster out? The only reason caster would be out is if you have had some sort of accident, or you have worn out front end parts.

Has the car ever been in an accident?

The tension rods control the caster angle of the front wheels, and if the tension rod bushings are worn, they can effect caster.

The best solution would be to buy some aftermarket adjustable tension rods, that way you adjust caster beyond factory spec. If this is not an option, you could pull the caster on the other wheel back to match. It shouldn't harm the handling noticeably, and should take car of any wandering.

[bcar240]

Thanks for the response!

To address your question, yes the car was basically involved in an accident (with a huge pothole). I replaced most of the front suspension links (control arm, tension rod, tie rod), and even installed aftermarket tension rods like you mentioned and that caster adjustment still won't put it all the way back. The alignment guys said there might be slight setback on that wheel or the strut tower may have taken a hit.

I guess at this point I will ask for the caster to be set closer together to see if it helps the wandering. It's really not too extreme in terms of maximum pull and its not eating tires, but it's frustrating to be rolling along and switch to a new section of pavement and all of a sudden your car is driving over the lane line on its own.

[IanS]

Thanks for the response!

To address your question, yes the car was basically involved in an accident (with a huge pothole). I replaced most of the front suspension links (control arm, tension rod, tie rod), and even installed aftermarket tension rods like you mentioned and that caster adjustment still won't put it all the way back. The alignment guys said there might be slight setback on that wheel or the strut tower may have taken a hit.

I guess at this point I will ask for the caster to be set closer together to see if it helps the wandering. It's really not too extreme in terms of maximum pull and its not eating tires, but it's frustrating to be rolling along and switch to a new section of pavement and all of a sudden your car is driving over the lane line on its own.

Have you thought about having is looked at by a frame expert? You might take the car to a good frame shop, and have it put up on the rack. They would be able to tug the car back to straight.