Caster/castor problem

[jj17]

So i got my alignment today and found that the caster was off. i had positive 2.xx degrees at the right front wheel (i cant remember exact value) and negative 1.xx degrees at the left front wheel. The difference was nearly 3 degrees and my steering wheel sits tilted to the right.

When i had my stock suspension on my dc5R it was fine but after i installed a set of buddyclub N+ this occurred.

Any possible causes?

WAsuspension suggested i get a caster kit to fix the problem. Is that really necessary... or is there other ways i can correct this.

[tinkerbell]

did they attempt to describe how this could have occured?

[T-BaGGeR]

You can't really change the caster on the DC5, so I'm guessing that you have either bent something or your subframe has shifted slightly.

[jj17]

did they attempt to describe how this could have occured?

not at all, just suggested that it cant be adjusted on the N+ and a caster adjuster kit is needed and quoted me for $500 to get the adjuster kit installed + aligned.

You can't really change the caster on the DC5, so I'm guessing that you have either bent something or your subframe has shifted slightly.

a friend of mine also suggested the same thing, like hitting a curb hard or something. not that ive done that. possible from previous owner.

and are u saying that u cant change the caster even with a caster adjuster kit?

[45SET]

Where are these coils made?

When I recently had my wheel alignment done the first place I went to said that there machine said I had simular alignments as you've quoted, but due to my car being to low they could get a correct alignment/settings on it. He asked if my car was a Japanese model, as they find that as Japanese Roads are cambered differently to Australian roads, the castor settings are totally different. I told him my car wasn't a JDM model. I took it to the place across the road from there (Pedders Suspension), and they changed everything to settings I supplied... this included castor. I am running Aus spec Tein SS.

What I’m trying to get at here is that maybe the coilovers you’re running are built for Japanese/Asian roads, so are built with this caster in mind. I’m not sure if this is the case or not, as I don’t know the product very well, but could be something to look into.

[jj17]

Where are these coils made?

When I recently had my wheel alignment done the first place I went to said that there machine said I had simular alignments as you've quoted, but due to my car being to low they could get a correct alignment/settings on it. He asked if my car was a Japanese model, as they find that as Japanese Roads are cambered differently to Australian roads, the castor settings are totally different. I told him my car wasn't a JDM model. I took it to the place across the road from there (Pedders Suspension), and they changed everything to settings I supplied... this included castor. I am running Aus spec Tein SS.

What I’m trying to get at here is that maybe the coilovers you’re running are built for Japanese/Asian roads, so are built with this caster in mind. I’m not sure if this is the case or not, as I don’t know the product very well, but could be something to look into.

the coillies ive got is Buddyclub N+ which i bought from AAI motorsports in sydney i think. i got it shipped over to perth.
What u said could be possible as the instructions and such were given in japanese and buddyclub is from japan. unless im wrong =/
but perhaps the tein SS has caster adjuster integrated into it? (i not sure as i dont know anything bout the tein SS) which is why it was possible to change the caster settings.

i was told by the mechanic that i cant adjust the caster on the N+ and there isnt any other way.. but what i suspect is that they are just saying that to get me to buy their product + service so i wanted to seek for advice here on this forum.

[T-BaGGeR]

not at all, just suggested that it cant be adjusted on the N+ and a caster adjuster kit is needed and quoted me for $500 to get the adjuster kit installed + aligned.



a friend of mine also suggested the same thing, like hitting a curb hard or something. not that ive done that. possible from previous owner.

and are u saying that u cant change the caster even with a caster adjuster kit?

you can make adjustments with a caster kit but that is pretty much the only way besides moving the subfame. Thats why maybe your subframe has moved and thats messing with your caster figures.

What caster kit is your mech talking about?

[jj17]

i have no idea which kit or the brand. id have to ask.

[ChargeR]

I agree with T-Bagger, there is potentially something bent or the subframe has shifted. I have lowered my subframe more than once and as a result my camber is uneven between each side.

A coilover that has the top mount in the stock location can't affect caster. The only way to affect caster is to either move the lower ball joint or the top mount forward or backwards. Caster will possibly change slightly with ride height but not as much as you are experiencing, something is amiss.

I would advise you to get the numbers checked on another alignment rack. And I wouldn't advise getting caster adjustment parts to fix a problem that your car shouldn't have.

[jj17]

thanks charger, i shall do that when i have the $$ and time. but for now ill just ride like it is, no biggy i hope.

Also if something is potentially bent, is it as simple as replacing the bent part? but then again locating it would be tedious...