Lee Spuhler wrote:I was wondering if I was the only one doing this. What I do is measure caster when I'm doing the bump steer. Everything is disconnected and the wheels are removed. Raise the center of the hub to the proper height and use a digital gauge against the upper ball joint bracket and read the castor directly.
I've double checked it a few times using the traditional method and the readings are within 0.2 every time. Quoting Carrol Smith again, the amount of caster is less important than having it the same side to side.
Hint to save running out and buying a gauge, there are apps that can be downloaded to your phone that work as well. AND it's easier to get your thin phone against the bracket than one of larger store bought gauge.
I think repeatability if most important. Good or bad what I did is the following.
- made three stands that adjust from about 2.75 to 4 inches out of bolt, washer, nut, and steel square tube
- set car on two stands in front and one in rear at desired height without shocks attached.
- adjusted bump steer, caster, camber, and toe
- added shocks and adjusted so that car just lightly touching stand
- scaled car and adjusted rear shocks to get left/right balance
- adjust shock rebound
- connect swaybar