- Caster is the fore or aft slope of the steering axis. The steering axis is a line drawn through the upper and lower ball joints of the knuckle. Positive caster is when the bottom of the steering axis line is in front of the tire's contact patch. Zero caster is when the steering axis is at 0 degrees.
- Caster – first to read more on what caster is see this article Toe, Caster, and Camber. Installation With the Jeep properly supported on stands or a lift remove the lower control arm bolts only do one at a time to avoid the axle rotating too much.
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After a lift on a Wrangler JK these simple bolts set the caster back where it belongs.
When you lift a Jeep often the lift alters critical suspension measurements that can cause the Jeep to wander, pull, or track strangely down the road. Most suspension companies offer special components to go with the lift that return the Jeep’s suspension back to proper alignment to restore its road manners.
I'm trying to set the caster on my TJ, and have a few questions. Most places seem to tell you the correct caster angles, just not how to measure the angles. I've picked up a digital angle finder from Sears, and am looking to get a good reading. How's this process: 1. Park on level ground 2. Attach the angle finder to the frame of the Jeep and 0.
How To Measure Caster In Jeep Jl 4
In a JK two main alignment factors are affected by a lift. Thrust angle and castor. Read more on the Thrust Angle
Caster – first to read more on what caster is see this article Toe, Caster, and Camber.
Installation
With the Jeep properly supported on stands or a lift remove the lower control arm bolts only do one at a time to avoid the axle rotating too much.
With the control arm out of the way grind open the bolt hole to create a slot. Most times the bolt will go toward the rear so if you feel that you will get it correct this way you can leave the forward slot alone.
Install the new BDS bolt and cam washer. The cam washer will ride alone the raised metal on the axle mount keeping the adjuster in place. With the bolt toward the rear the caster angle will increase. The bolt located toward the front will decrease the angle. Factory caster angle is 3.7 to 4.7 degrees.
original bolt | grinding the slot |
Repeat the grinding on the other side. With both bolts installed align them to achieve the proper angle and tighten them to the specified torque ratings. Drive the Jeep for a short distance and check the bolts to make sure they haven’t moved or become loose. Periodically check the bolts to be sure they stay where they belong.
slot complete | caster adjusted |
A qualified shop can check the Jeep for the accurate caster angle and make minor adjustments to the bolts to get things within spec. See Jeep Suspension and Steering Alignment
For more information or pricing visit or |
Jeep Steering Alignment 101 – Dana 30 and Dana 44 Front Axle Camber Adjustment
Sometimes it is necessary to adjust the camber settings on a CJ Dana front axle. They are supposed to be set at 0 degrees camber but that is not always the case. Swapping a Dana 44 into a CJ (especially if it’s from a Cherokee/Wagoneer) will usually expose this problem immediately. A Cherokee/Wagoneer Dana 44 use different outer knuckles than a CJ does. Fortunately they are interchangeable but will most likely cause the camber to be off about 1.5 degrees. That does not sound like a lot but with tall tires the difference is exaggerated.
Several companies make different products to combat this problem. One being degree shims, these mount between the spindle and the outer knuckle, the other is an adjustable ball joint sleeve sometimes called a castor/camber corrector.
Determining the camber adjustment needed is not difficult and can be determined using a little math. An alignment shop can do this a lot more accurately but us Jeep people thrive on the “do it yourself” and even a perfectly a CJ will still wander a bit down the road. Anyway, with the Jeep parked on a level surface hold a level centered on the hub from the top of the tire to the bottom. Using an angle gauge measure the angle. Hopefully the measurement is small 1-1.5 degrees. Measure the angle on both sides. Excessive camber in one side can indicate a worse problem like a bent axle tube. Use the above image to determine if you have positive or negative camber.
How To Measure Caster In Jeep Jl 3
If your camber is off by a few degrees you have two options. Use camber adjusting shims or camber adjusting upper ball joints.
![How To Measure Caster In Jeep Jl How To Measure Caster In Jeep Jl](https://www.wayalife.com/photos/_data/i/upload/2018/03/03/20180303182715-2bda6c22-me.jpg)
Camber shims alter the spindle angle slightly to adjust camber.
![Angle Angle](https://www.cherokeeforum.com/attachments/f67/375555d1501374808-caster-pinion-angle-adjustment-dsc05843.jpg)
See: Installing camber adjusting shims
Beechcraft bonanza f33a poh pdf printer. Camber adjusting upper ball joint sleeves allow camber adjustment by using an oblong ball joint sleeve to alter angles.
See: Installing camber adjusting upper ball joint sleeves
Personally, we prefer the shim, it is held firmly in place and has no possibility of moving. We have used both and the correctors have rotated on my Jeep. My Jeep had positive camber, the shims actually increased track width while the correctors decreased it. The shims moved the bottom of the wheel out and the correctors moved the top of the wheel in.