[DeTomaso] Has anyone used Marino's Offset Front Bushings toIncrease Cast

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/9/10 9:20:56 PM, mbefthomas at comcast.net writes:

> I put mine on a year ago, with the shims maxed out on the upper ball 
> joint, and the self-center has been much better.  They do squeak, though.
> 

General Rule: max stock caster= 2.7 degrees. 
Add in 1-1/2 degrees extra from offset upper a-arm bushings= 4.2.
Add in another extra 1-1/2 degrees from doing the same thing to the LOWER 
a-arms= 5.7
Add in an extra degree from shaving down one side of the upper front ball 
joint carriers= 6.7. 
All these numbers will vary a bit in individual Panteras of any year, but 
are pretty close.
Note that each increment you add also increases steering effort, which is 
more noticable at low speeds. While Corvettes run 6.5+ degrees caster, they 
also run power steering. Good luck driving your Pantera in slow downtown 
traffic with over 5 degrees and armstrong steering... 
J DeRyke (who's wife is happy with 4.2 degrees and 245-50 front tires)