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+--- Thread: Caster how to add some (/showthread.php?tid=4833)
Caster how to add some - spannerman - 21-08-2020
What in your mind is the best way
To add some caster ! My steering
Is not self centering everything is free
And oil or grease, what is the best way
It's on a special built on 1938 ruby
Chassis.
RE: Caster how to add some - Alan - 21-08-2020
The first thing to work out is why it doesn’t have enough caster already, because it should have. Is something bent, worn or in the wrong place? Otherwise, options are to rotate the radius arms which will increase castor. Or, put a spacer behind the radius arm mount on the crossmember, but remember these are a bodge. What you really need is an angled wedge in the spring mount and to drop the radius arm mount to suit.
RE: Caster how to add some - spannerman - 21-08-2020
Thanks thinking back the axle was bent
Back at oneside when I started the build
And I made a jig so I could straighten
The axle i may have removed the caster
Then without thinking , everything have
been renewed and is free . I can make a
Wedge easily. Is the standard caster
Put in at the end of the axle after the radius
Arms bolt on ?
RE: Caster how to add some - Alan - 21-08-2020
There is no caster angle in the axle. It’s set by the chassis nosepiece and the angle of the radius arms.
RE: Caster how to add some - spannerman - 21-08-2020
So is it the nosepiece has worn as it looked
Good or has casting bent, will remove axle
And recheck the slot for the spring.
RE: Caster how to add some - Malcolm Parker - 21-08-2020
Is the chassis of your special level or does it rise towards the back end? It might be that you need a more steeply cambered front spring or flatter rear springs. If the chassis is level or a bit lower at the back the camber should be okay.
RE: Caster how to add some - spannerman - 21-08-2020
I gather there is only 2 or 3 degrees of caster as standard
Will mill up a jig so I can measure it properly in morning
RE: Caster how to add some - Malcolm Parker - 22-08-2020
Just a thought, if the king pins have been recently done they can be a little stiff until they have done a few miles on the road. This initial stiffness can affect the self centring of the steering. Austin 7's tend to have nicer steering when everything is a little worn!
RE: Caster how to add some - spannerman - 22-08-2020
Yes my be you can move by hand easily
But are not slack , I did a quick measure
Of caster.this morning and theres just
Over a degree of caster , think front
casting is bent or worn from a
Lose spring at some time?
RE: Caster how to add some - Alan - 22-08-2020
What you have to remember is that it should all line up. That is if you have to force the radius arms into position then something is wrong. You should certainly have more than 2 degree of castor, but it’s affected by many things. I’d look first at bent front crossmembers and radius arms. The front forging (not a casting) isn’t usually the culprit in my experience.