Can you have too much caster?

[Mastiff]

Right now I have about 11* caster. I'm wondering if this is actually enough too much that the steering would be negatively affected?

Also, any suggestions what caster to go for? I think the factory value is 8*, so I'm thinking of going for 3* shims. Should I push it to 6* (5* shim)? I've had that wandery steering thing in the past and I don't like it.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I have heard 6-7 degrees in the sweet spot for these trucks.

 

[cybrfire]

I prefer right at 8*.

Yes, you can have to much caster. The additional caster will require more force to turn the tires. Points the pinion down further at the same time. If you have high steer, also raises your high steer tie rod closer to the frame/engine cross.

I've never personally noticed any other bad behavior from it. Never had it out of whack long enough to notice any odd tire wear either. Neither would surprise me though.

 

[nvrenuf]

Fwiw, I had death wobble at 11°.

 

[4xcrazy]

I added a 2* shim to mine to try to get the pinion pointed more at the transfer case, I didn't like the way the steering felt. Not sure what they are factory, but that little 2* sure did change it a lot. I took it back out shortly after.

 

[Babaganoosh]

What is everyone's favorite spot to measure the angle? I would assume the Ear on the differential in the center of the pinion?

 

[Mastiff]

What is everyone's favorite spot to measure the angle? I would assume the Ear on the differential in the center of the pinion?

With D60 I'm going with the top of the knuckle. It's nice and flat and I'm assuming perpendicular to the line of rotation.

 

[cybrfire]

With D60 I'm going with the top of the knuckle. It's nice and flat and I'm assuming perpendicular to the line of rotation.

This.

 

[Chief Brody]

Do most of you guys do your own front end alignment on these???

 

[4X4HIGH]

My caster is right at 11* and been that way for the last 10 years or so with no issues.

 

[Mastiff]

My caster is right at 11* and been that way for the last 10 years or so with no issues.

Fairly severe angles at front driveshaft though?

Do guys do cut and turns on D60's when they want to have it all? Haven't heard much about it.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Fairly severe angles at front driveshaft though?

Do guys do cut and turns on D60's when they want to have it all? Haven't heard much about it.

Not at all. I'll see if I can find a pic and post it up.

 

[Mastiff]

Not at all. I'll see if I can find a pic and post it up.

How can that be 11* caster? The pinion would be pointing above the transfer case without a lift. Am I missing something? With my D60 and 11* caster, the pinion is nearly horizontal.

I don't know if this is true, but you might expect that they designed these axles such that at stock ride height, the pinion would point at the transfer case and caster would be 8*.