mgmetalworks
Explorer
Apologize for the crude graphic...
Caster is essentially the inclination of the steering axis relative to vertical. On a radius arm suspension, the axle swings through an arc with the center of that arc being the frame side mount. As the suspension moves up and down, and because there is no rotation of the axle relative to the radius arm, the caster will change by some amount. As the suspension goes up, the caster gets more positive. As the suspension goes down, caster becomes less positive (until the angle passes vertical in which case it would be negative caster).
When I lifted the G, the springs essentially pushed the radius arm down, which in turn rotated the axle forward, which reduced the caster (see diagram). The steering is light (too light) and tends to wander in the lane. Once it starts turning, it likes to really turn in...as if there is no resistance...which is not surprising since the caster angle is so slight. The factory caster is supposed to be 5deg and I'm less than 1.5 now. This small amount of caster really affects how stable the vehicle feels at speed.
Sorry.. no new pictures of the G for a little while. I'm busy putting a Cummins/Allison in my E-series van.
Caster is essentially the inclination of the steering axis relative to vertical. On a radius arm suspension, the axle swings through an arc with the center of that arc being the frame side mount. As the suspension moves up and down, and because there is no rotation of the axle relative to the radius arm, the caster will change by some amount. As the suspension goes up, the caster gets more positive. As the suspension goes down, caster becomes less positive (until the angle passes vertical in which case it would be negative caster).
When I lifted the G, the springs essentially pushed the radius arm down, which in turn rotated the axle forward, which reduced the caster (see diagram). The steering is light (too light) and tends to wander in the lane. Once it starts turning, it likes to really turn in...as if there is no resistance...which is not surprising since the caster angle is so slight. The factory caster is supposed to be 5deg and I'm less than 1.5 now. This small amount of caster really affects how stable the vehicle feels at speed.
Sorry.. no new pictures of the G for a little while. I'm busy putting a Cummins/Allison in my E-series van.