[DeTomaso] Increasing Caster
JDeRyke at aol.com
JDeRyke at aol.com
Fri Apr 29 14:42:12 EDT 2011
In a message dated 4/29/11 9:10:43 AM, kenn_green at yahoo.com writes:
> I think this has been discussed, but can anyone estimate the total caster
> that can be obtained by offset bushings and milling one side of the upper
> ball joint?
>
Panteras will vary a bit from car to car in how much caster they have, and
caster- the backward inclination angle of the front upright- is usually
measured in a rather imprecise way at home by using a bubble level caster gauge.
Pro laser level gauges may show different amounts.
On our '72, the max stock amount (bubble gauge) was -2.1 degrees with all
the shims in front of the ball joint carrier.
By using only offset upper bushings, one doubles -caster to about -4.2
degrees including the above. This seems to be enough to nicely stabilize the
steering up to a tested 150 mph.
By ALSO using offset bushings set the opposite way in the LOWER a-arm,
cumulative negative caster is increased to near -6 degrees
By milling around 0.080" from one side of the ball joint carrier and not
falling thru the side into the grease chamber, one gains an additional -1
degree for close to -7 degrees cumulative. Some risk-takers cut a little more.
This is not a hacksaw-and-file job.
So far, all the changes are reversible in a few minutes. Extra home-made
shims can be used to readjust all the way back to stock. Wheel toe-in WILL be
affected when changing caster at all, as will tire clearance to the
right-side wiper motor shield and possibly the brake hose routings.
I personally find our car to be difficult to steer in traffic with more
than -4-1/2 degrees. Over -4-1/2 recommended only for power steering
conversions and really high speed use. FWIW- J DeRyke
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