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Caster too low responsible.....??


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Finally got to posting this q that's bugged me for a while.....

 

My alignment specs after my repair show my caster as being 2.4d left and 3.2d right (4.1->5.6 is recc'd range for my 280zx), can this be responsible for a 'darty' behaviour even at lower speed on non-smooth pavement? It's like wide treads wanting to follow ruts but happening a lot even with my 225's. I haven't yet installed (and no idea when I will) my caster/camber plates with builtin caster addition (no idea how much is built in).

 

I'd feel better knowing this is responsible for this 'dartiness'. Rear control arm bushings are only 'old' ones on the car but this dartiness is new and bushings don't just 'quit' so I'm looking for the cause (car is lowered about 1").

 

thanks

 

PSS I'm pretty sure I have a slightly different alignment done 3 wks after above results but still recall caster was below spec and tech telling me he can't adjust it and the current setting is "OK" for my car.

 

I know extra caster contributes to higher speed stability so thinking way low caster could lead to any speed instability...

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Ross I think you are probably correct in assuming that the castor is causing your problem, just to be sure though, have you checked your front and rear toe in? Toe out up front will cause you the same type of problem... toe out in the rear is just dangerous!

 

I'm pretty sure you've checked, but hey, sometimes we miss the obvious.

 

------------------

"THE STREETS WILL FLOW WITH THE OIL OF THE NON-BELIEVERS"

 

Drax240z

1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way!

http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

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Front toe is fine at 1/16 and 1/32 l/r respectively. Rear toe wasn't measured on the sheet but shouldn't have changed much although it would adjust a bit with the 1/3-3/4" drop it took since prior setup. The dartiness feels a lot more IMO like a front end dilemna the way it goes (ie. not 'follows').

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Yup, I would also suspect your camber is out of balance between the two front corners... That would definitely contribute to that "Hunting for line" feel in the front as well. Bet it is a handfull on the track if you run on less than optimum surfaces..

 

Mike

 

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"I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!"

mjk

 

[This message has been edited by Mikelly (edited October 05, 2000).]

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quote:

Originally posted by Mikelly:

Yup, I would also suspect your camber is out of balance between the two front corners... That would definitely contribute to that "Hunting for line" feel in the front as well. Bet it is a handfull on the track if you run on less than optimum surfaces..

 

Mike

 

 

Well the roads I drive on hear are VERY bumpy/undulating so it's an effort here. On Oregon and California highways it was pure pleasure, WA was hell. Both tracks were in fine shape so that was good to. It's neutral balance makes for delightful turnin's locally WHEN I want to turn, when I don't it's annoying:-)

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